Politics

On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump attempted to lead a violent coup. He failed. On January 20, 2025, there was a bloodless coup where the government changed from an oligarchic republic (constitutional oligarchy) to a fascist oligarchy. Donald Trump and his supporting oligarchy took the power and functions of government into their own hands.

Non-violent resistance is the best defense against a fascist oligarchy and the only way to defeat it. This is because non-violent resistance removes fascism’s ability to use violence and fear. But we need to hurry.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt is credited with initiating the concept of The First 100 Days during his radio address to the nation on July 24, 1933, as he announced the New Deal. The best lesson we can take for how to deal with the First 100 Days of this administration comes from him and Bishop Mariann Budde. Their approach to leadership requires acknowledging that fear must not be an option to action.

The January 6th hearings in the House of Representatives exposed attempts by Donald Trump to subvert the Constitutional system used to elect presidents. Neither President Trump and his co-conspirators nor the people who ensured the non-violent transfer of power to President Biden were driven by a commitment to democracy. Trump was unsuccessful because people were loyal to the Constitution.

A commitment to the Constitution as it stands with an equal commitment to changing the Constitution when it is not fulfilling the values of democracy is the path to creating a multi-cultural nation that is not based on racism.

Happening (2021) is a film about abortion. It is set in 1963 in southwest France. Yet, as Ed McNulty points out, "It could be the future for the women of our country."

The May 2022 random murders of people in Buffalo, New York; Laguna Woods, California; and Uvalde, Texas were stark reminders of the fragility of human life and how precious every child and adult is. My granddaughter went to bed crying. Barack and Michell Obama are angry. I keep asking myself, what can I do? I am still troubled by the question, but I have one idea.

Sarah Isgur points to the current role of the Supreme Court and the inability of Congress to solve problems. She builds a case for amending Article V of the Constitution. She quotes Justice Scalia who said he "once calculated what percentage of the population could prevent an amendment to the Constitution, and found it was less than 2 percent. ‘It ought to be hard, but not that hard"

Isgur concludes, "He’s right. It’s time to amend the amending process."

Critical race theory (CRT) has created emotional outbursts at school board meetings. President Trump’s executive order banning CRT in government agencies and FOX News rantings all feel like impolite and annoying uninformed racism. But what is at stake is the future of public education and the creation of a multicultural nation without racism. Supporting and promoting CRT is important, not just to ensure a quality American education, but for the future of America.