Why are we playing by the rules? The rules that we've lived by all our lives don't apply anymore.

[Raven]

[JBTaurus83]

1. If Dump can ignore the courts

I believe that every Dem governor should ignore the illegitimate government.

[sop]

2. Because if we break the rules, we go to jail, but when they break the rules, nothing happens.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Trump uses the law to protect and enrich himself, and to punish and control everyone else.

And we let it happen.

[elocs]

15. It's who we are. n/t

[Irish_Dem]

16. Yes in a democracy, our leaders represent the citizenry.

Citizens who elected and adore a known ruthless criminal.

What does that say about us?

[Jose Garcia]

4. Can you be more specific as to what rules you think we should be disregarding?

[Kaleva]

5. I'd like to read the OPs answer to that question.

[2naSalit]

6. I would posit that...

It should all that prohibit us from regaining control of our country. Any and all.

[Raven]

10. I wasn't referring to laws...I'm not sure we're there yet. I was referring to the fact that we are still writing polite

letters a la the Senate Minority Leader, we're still asking nicely that this Administration comply with the Constitution. We need to take the gloves off. Having said that, I am wondering just when it is that we'll have to cross the line. We broke the law during the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-war Movement in the 60's and 70's. I think that time will come again soon and if it doesn't, we'll have lost the fight.

[RJ-MacReady]

11. Here is one potential issue

Say a judge orders the NY doctor to be extradited to LA to be prosecuted for prescribing thr abortion pill. NY should openly defy any such order no matter what anyone says including the supreme court.

[Crunchy Frog]

23. Yes. Since Supreme Court judgements are no longer binding.

Dump doesn't get to ignore them while everyone else is bound by them.

[Captain Zero]

26. This exactly

Supreme Court rulings only apply to us? That's bullshit.

[ImNotGod]

7. This country will see spikes in crime, lawlessness never seen before in our history

because everyone is asking this very question, the brown shirts and SS will be overwhelmed.

[Kaleva]

24. Hitler had the leadership of the Brown Shirts killed

[Frasier Balzov]

8. Josh Shapiro seems to believe there's no other way.

Without descending into violent civil war.

[RJ-MacReady]

12. did he say that?

[Frasier Balzov]

13. He said it in a way which he hoped was calming and cautionary.

At his press conference after being fire bombed.

[republianmushroom]

9. Because were Democrats,

and we haven't learn to fight yet.

[elocs]

14. Because it's who we are. Republicans have insisted on street fight tactics for years now,

never recognizing rules unless they benefited them. But not Democrats...we are too righteous and noble to not fight by the rules which makes Republican laugh and look upon us as chumps.

[Paladin]

17. Democrats, playing by good-conduct rules that Republicans dumped, decades ago.

It's no wonder we're looked upon as chumps. trump's second occupation of the White House is the result.

It will continue like this until we develop some fire in our bellies and are willing to do what is necessary to reclaim this nation from the forces of evil. trump is in the process of rapidly driving the country into the toilet---at some point, we'll have the chance to prevail, once more. The question is: Will we seize the opportunity to do so?

[Captain Zero]

27. It sure got their attention when

Some people, no one here, started lighting up Teslas, didn't it ?

[AntiFascist]

18. I believe that it's all about defending the US Constitution...

Trump and certain of his cabinet members want to move us into a "post-constitutional" era where the founding principles of our nation no longer apply. The Supreme Court has even given the office of the president permission to break the law without any consequences. This is really the basis for our current constitutional crisis. Unless we do something about it, Trump will continue pushing the limits during his term until the entire judicial system breaks down and "bends the knee."

If we decide that it's ok not to play by the rules, then we are just falling into their trap.

[flamingdem]

19. Dems need creativity to overcome

Chaos is not acceptable but there are many ways to skin a cat.

(Apologies to the kitties)

[Bernardo de La Paz]

20. You break the law first. . . . . nt

[dpibel]

22. He said, to Dr. Martin Luther King...

to Daniel Ellsberg...

to the people who sheltered Anne Frank...

You get the idea.

Be that as it may: As the OP said, in this thread, two hours before you laid down your insightful, trenchant challenge, there's a difference between rules and laws.

Just for an instance: Both houses of Congress operate under rules, including, for instance, form and content of address on the floor. Breaking those rules is not breaking the law.

There are "rules" that call for respecting the office of the President, even if you don't respect the occupant of the office. Breaking that rule is not breaking the law.

I'll bet you could come up with similar examples if you wanted to. You're a bright person!

But, hey. Leap logic all you want!

[Bernardo de La Paz]

25. I am not the leaders that Dr. King, Ellsberg or Frank's protectors were. I wish I were more like them, but I am not.

Congressional rules are equivalent to laws in the sense that breaking them has consequences. Not jail like laws, but loss of power in Congress like losing ranking positions, being escorted out of proceedings, etc. Loss of power against the tyranny is not a good strategy.

It is not necessary to break the conventions for respecting the Office while calling out this president. I will provide a counter-example, in that I think that shouting and making a disruptive disturbance in the State of the Union speech is performative but accomplishes nothing.

I'm not seeing anything from you as to examples of what rules or conventions should be broken.

[Kid Berwyn]

21. Excellent idea.

The Democratic Party has been playing by the Marquis de Queensbury Rules while Putin appoints Trump, backs NRA-approved nutjobs for Kkkongress, and helps pack a Supreme Court to disassemble democracy. I’m surprised to see so many DUers who’re unable to see your point: When the enemies of the Constitution work to end 248 years of freedom, the gloves are off.

[Joinfortmill]

28. Amen

[ecstatic]

29. THANK GOODNESS these people weren't in charge during / after the civil war

We'd still have slavery! I'm sorry but that's how I feel right now.