Is there a Duty to Impeach?

[Martin Eden]

70. Authoritarians want us to despair, give up hope, and disengage

That is the surest way to make your fears a reality.

In my 62nd year on this planet, I am far from throwing in the towel.

We have to keep fighting, and we have to remember the promise of youth -- not just our own from years past, but young people today who will pick up the banner of progress and make it their own.

Young people in general have a poor track record of coming to the polls to vote. They -- and other demographics which will NOT vote for Trump but might not vote at all -- are the key to electoral victory.

The Democratic Party leadership and candidates have to show spirit and spine and energy in leading the charge against the fascist pig in the White House and the creeping authoritarianism which threatens our republic.

Timidity will not inspire and motivate souls to the polls. Taking counsel of our fears, whether it be Pelosi or the community here at DU, can easily translate into submission.

We have to fight.

Not out of blind rage but with intelligence and courage, with the confidence of knowing that facts and truth and justice and the imperative to save the future are all on our side.

Political calculation only goes so far, forgetting how the spirit of The People can be roused beyond the indicators of conventional polling.

The fears you expressed are legitimate, given where we find ourselves now. The political calculation is uncertain; the outcome is fraught with dread. We understand that something above and beyond is needed to save America from its own shortcomings and worst impulses.

We have to fight, and by fighting the good fight convince all those non-voters that this is very much their fight as well.

Donald Trump is a criminal who richly deserves to be impeached. If the people we need to energize see the Democratic Party exonerate him by default, taking counsel of fear through cynical political calculation, they will not see us as the answer.

By all means we also have to articulate the critically important issues with practical policy solutions which will improve the lives of real people, and our candidates will continue to do that as our elected representatives in the House build the case against the POtuS who must be deposed.

Democrats can walk and chew gum at the same time, and by going on the offensive on both fronts we will claim more of the air time that has been dominated by malignant narcissist.

We have to go on the offensive. If we don't fight, we lose.