I live in Indiana, where legislation is on the precipice of turning us into a maga police state and immigrant-free zone.
ICE is renting commercial office space down the road in affluent Carmel.
We're fighting hard against SB76 and HB1343.
It feels like we're closer to autocratic consolidation than some other states. But maybe not. We defeated redistricting, and we might win the fight against these bad bills.
We're calling and writing the associated pillars, mayors, local police- and asking to meet with them. We want them on record- do they support the fascist state leaders, or are they willing to call and express disapproval.
So no it's not over yet, and maybe we're just getting started.
Virginia Cutler, you’re not describing “it’s over.” You’re describing resistance while it’s still possible. Bad bills don’t equal consolidation...quiet local compliance does.
Forcing mayors and police on record raises the cost of siding with MAGA hardliners. You already proved the machine isn’t invincible....by BEATING redistricting. Indiana isn’t doomed....it’s contested ground. And contested ground...CAN. BE. WON>
A neighbor and I were in a polite conversation today (topic was politics of all things), when he admitted to me that he didn’t vote because he felt it made no difference. I told him what he was describing is giving up in advance. His candidate may not win but his participation in the process makes all the difference.
Jack it is still alive as we can see in the latest state elections where democrat’s are defeating republicans by large percentage’s. We just have to keep pushing our representatives …hard….
Jeff...you’re right...those state races matter more than people realize. When voters show up, and margins move...it proves the system still responds.
That’s not theory, that’s measurable. Pressure works when it’s sustained and visible. Keep pushing. Keep organizing. Keep making representatives feel WATCHED and ACCOUNTABLE.
That’s how institutions bend back toward the public.
Democracy still has a heartbeat. This week has given me confidence in that. The ridiculous performance of PB, the hold the line of the congress, and the push by democrat leadership we won’t live under ICE terrorism. I think that shows the strength of Minneapolis pushing out. They showed others how it was done. Now we need to follow their lead and push onward.
You’re feeling what a lot of people are starting to feel...that faint but undeniable pulse.
Democracy doesn’t die quietly. It strains. It resists. It flares.
And this week? We saw flare.
The over-the-top theatrics. The refusal to buckle. Elected officials drawing lines instead of ducking for cover. That matters. It sends signal. And signal spreads.
Minneapolis didn’t just react...they demonstrated. They showed what collective backbone looks like...in REAL TIME.
When one city models resistance...with discipline...instead of chaos, it changes the psychological weather everywhere else.
That’s how momentum works. Not all at once. But...outward.
HoldFast isn’t just a slogan. It’s posture. And posture...oh hell...THAT is the spark of magic.
Now that agreement, Jack and Ytram, really makes me smile tonight! Thank you! It’s the needed comforting lullabye. It’s a beautiful bedtime true story of promise!
Declaring democracy dead may feel bracingly clear-eyed, but history suggests collapse follows a pattern — and we are not there yet. Jack Hopkins is correct: when the Weimar Republic fell, courts capitulated, emergency powers hardened into permanence, and institutions aligned behind executive will. In modern Hungary, democratic backsliding accelerated only after the ruling party captured the judiciary, rewrote election rules, and consolidated media control. Authoritarian breakthroughs require coordination. They require institutions to stop resisting.
By contrast, in the United States, courts rejected dozens of post-2020 election challenges. State officials certified results under pressure. Competitive elections continue. Civil society organizations litigate. Journalists investigate. These are not aesthetic features of democracy; they are structural guardrails. During Watergate scandal, executive criminality triggered oversight and reform, not regime collapse. Jack is correct again: the system bends under strain — and can recalibrate.
None of this guarantees safety. Democratic erosion happens through normalization, when rule-breaking becomes routine and loyalty eclipses law. But despair confuses volatility with finality. Democracies look chaotic when they are fighting with themselves; authoritarian systems look orderly because dissent has been crushed. The relevant question is not whether the moment is dangerous — it is — but whether courts still rule, elections still function, and opposition still competes. As long as those answers remain yes, the story is not over.
I believe Democracy will survive. But there are moments of hopelessness & despair. This post will be reread many times in the near future to help with those moments. Thank you.
Thousands of government employees were demeaned and let go unfairly and unlawfully. They knew how to run things. They worked for the public, not one man.
They have memories of what was taken from them. Many young people are leaving classrooms to oppose oppressive actions. The energy Minnesota is still there. We can do it - rebuild our system.
I still believe democracy is possible.
I love it, Gerry. We all should. The reasons exist.
-Jack
I live in Indiana, where legislation is on the precipice of turning us into a maga police state and immigrant-free zone.
ICE is renting commercial office space down the road in affluent Carmel.
We're fighting hard against SB76 and HB1343.
It feels like we're closer to autocratic consolidation than some other states. But maybe not. We defeated redistricting, and we might win the fight against these bad bills.
We're calling and writing the associated pillars, mayors, local police- and asking to meet with them. We want them on record- do they support the fascist state leaders, or are they willing to call and express disapproval.
So no it's not over yet, and maybe we're just getting started.
Virginia Cutler, you’re not describing “it’s over.” You’re describing resistance while it’s still possible. Bad bills don’t equal consolidation...quiet local compliance does.
Forcing mayors and police on record raises the cost of siding with MAGA hardliners. You already proved the machine isn’t invincible....by BEATING redistricting. Indiana isn’t doomed....it’s contested ground. And contested ground...CAN. BE. WON>
I'm glad you're here, Virginia!
-Jack
Historian Ruth Ben-Guiat exhorts us to use all spaces available to us. Thank you Virginia and Jack for all you do.
Ellen, I love Ruth!
You're welcome. Thank YOU.
-Jack
A neighbor and I were in a polite conversation today (topic was politics of all things), when he admitted to me that he didn’t vote because he felt it made no difference. I told him what he was describing is giving up in advance. His candidate may not win but his participation in the process makes all the difference.
#HoldFast
William, you handled that exactly right. That mindset...“it makes no difference”...is how democracy erodes quietly.
Not through coups...but through withdrawal.
Participation isn’t about guaranteeing a win...it’s about refusing to surrender your voice before the contest even begins.
When people opt out...power concentrates. When they engage, it’s FORCED to answer. You didn’t shame him...you reframed it. That matters, William!
#HoldFast
-Jack
I refuse to believe that democracy is done. My sister and I will continue to do all we can to sustain this fight.
Deborah, I love that word "REFUSE." When used correctly...it's the difference that makes the difference.
I believe that you and your sister will absolutely do just that!
-Jack
Thank you! I will forward this to some of my despairing friends.
You're welcome, Janie. Please do!
-Jack
Jack it is still alive as we can see in the latest state elections where democrat’s are defeating republicans by large percentage’s. We just have to keep pushing our representatives …hard….
#HOLDFAST
Jeff...you’re right...those state races matter more than people realize. When voters show up, and margins move...it proves the system still responds.
That’s not theory, that’s measurable. Pressure works when it’s sustained and visible. Keep pushing. Keep organizing. Keep making representatives feel WATCHED and ACCOUNTABLE.
That’s how institutions bend back toward the public.
#HOLDFAST
-Jack
I FIRMLY believe the system can still correct itself! #HoldFast
CLF...I love it. It CAN.
#HoldFast
-Jack
Democracy still has a heartbeat. This week has given me confidence in that. The ridiculous performance of PB, the hold the line of the congress, and the push by democrat leadership we won’t live under ICE terrorism. I think that shows the strength of Minneapolis pushing out. They showed others how it was done. Now we need to follow their lead and push onward.
#HoldFast
#2547
#calleveryone
Jo, I love this!
You’re feeling what a lot of people are starting to feel...that faint but undeniable pulse.
Democracy doesn’t die quietly. It strains. It resists. It flares.
And this week? We saw flare.
The over-the-top theatrics. The refusal to buckle. Elected officials drawing lines instead of ducking for cover. That matters. It sends signal. And signal spreads.
Minneapolis didn’t just react...they demonstrated. They showed what collective backbone looks like...in REAL TIME.
When one city models resistance...with discipline...instead of chaos, it changes the psychological weather everywhere else.
That’s how momentum works. Not all at once. But...outward.
HoldFast isn’t just a slogan. It’s posture. And posture...oh hell...THAT is the spark of magic.
And...“call everyone” isn’t noise...it’s pressure applied consistently...calmly...and publicly.
That’s how systems feel consequence!
Keep watching the heartbeat.
It’s there.
#2447
#HoldFast
#calleveryone
-Jack
Holding fast, Jack. Keep it coming. I want to feel free to travel again.
Ytram...I. HEAR. YOU.
You keep holding fast...and I'll keep it coming!
-Jack
Now that agreement, Jack and Ytram, really makes me smile tonight! Thank you! It’s the needed comforting lullabye. It’s a beautiful bedtime true story of promise!
Declaring democracy dead may feel bracingly clear-eyed, but history suggests collapse follows a pattern — and we are not there yet. Jack Hopkins is correct: when the Weimar Republic fell, courts capitulated, emergency powers hardened into permanence, and institutions aligned behind executive will. In modern Hungary, democratic backsliding accelerated only after the ruling party captured the judiciary, rewrote election rules, and consolidated media control. Authoritarian breakthroughs require coordination. They require institutions to stop resisting.
By contrast, in the United States, courts rejected dozens of post-2020 election challenges. State officials certified results under pressure. Competitive elections continue. Civil society organizations litigate. Journalists investigate. These are not aesthetic features of democracy; they are structural guardrails. During Watergate scandal, executive criminality triggered oversight and reform, not regime collapse. Jack is correct again: the system bends under strain — and can recalibrate.
None of this guarantees safety. Democratic erosion happens through normalization, when rule-breaking becomes routine and loyalty eclipses law. But despair confuses volatility with finality. Democracies look chaotic when they are fighting with themselves; authoritarian systems look orderly because dissent has been crushed. The relevant question is not whether the moment is dangerous — it is — but whether courts still rule, elections still function, and opposition still competes. As long as those answers remain yes, the story is not over.
#HOLDFAST
I think we have a chance, but I'm still deeply concerned.
Oh, DEEP concern is warranted, Elisabeth. Without question.
-Jack
I believe Democracy will survive. But there are moments of hopelessness & despair. This post will be reread many times in the near future to help with those moments. Thank you.
Thousands of government employees were demeaned and let go unfairly and unlawfully. They knew how to run things. They worked for the public, not one man.
They have memories of what was taken from them. Many young people are leaving classrooms to oppose oppressive actions. The energy Minnesota is still there. We can do it - rebuild our system.
I believe it too. We have to!!! There's NO towel in my household to throw in!!!
Yes, I believe.
#HoldFast
I believe you are right. And thanks as always for your clear, impossible to misread style.