Resistance Disconnect
As the clock struck noon on January 20, 2021, liberals across America let out sighs of relief. But relaxation has been transitory, as it dawns on activists that Trumpâs departure is just one moment in an ongoing, dire struggle to save U.S. democracy and make government work for the majorityâas the Republican Party ever more tightly embraces violent authoritarian tendencies.
How to proceed? Many left advocates see this as a moment to rev up progressive demands on newly installed Democratic officials. However, we also need to understand how and why the momentum gained in fights to save Obamacare and win congressional and down-ballot elections in 2017 and 2018 did not fully carry over into 2020, when Democrats suffered net losses in the House and in many states. For the American left that carries the fate of U.S. democracy on its shoulders, this is a moment to learn from past shortfalls and not just mount new Beltway demands.