Anything outside of that is a path deeper into autocracy/ oligarchy

Trump is selling the top jobs to billionaires, who intend to use those positions to make themselves even richer.

It could not possibly be any more clear.

The American people get this, and they are completely at odds with the Beltway mentality and the corporate-controlled media. This is why there has been such gnashing of teeth about the American response to the killing of Brian Thompson, CEO of UHC. Nobody is advocating vigilante justice, but the American people DO want justice nonetheless, and that's what the Beltway doesn't understand.

Economic justice is the winning issue, and it will be a winner every day for the next 4 years because economic INJUSTICE is what the Trump mobsters are going to be trying to accomplish every day.

We have to put this into tangible terms:

* Windfall profits tax
* Top tax rate of 70%, just like it was 1965-1981 when America built the strongest middle class ever
* Break up monopolies
* Hold social media operators accountable for disinformation
* Take half the money raised from that top tax bracket to reduce the debt and the other half to solidify Social Security fund into the 22nd Century and pay for 4-year college or trade school for all students that demonstrate aptitude and commitment
* Etc.

We have to sell a real plan, not just oppose Trump.

It’s appalling how dumbed down it has become.

Those are issues to run on for the next election - particularly where they can draw distinctions with whatever policies the new administration actually enacts.

But "resistance" when we're in the minority and all the public can do is express disagreement - has to be legal/procedural roadblocks (lawsuits and filibusters) and trying to pick off small numbers of republicans on key votes.

Every day between now and 2026.

That's the problem. Democrats no longer think in terms of principles and values. They think only of campaigns, then disappear for 18 months.

We have to sell this stuff every damn day.

We can't take 18 months off and then start thinking about campaign messages, each free agent candidate picking and choosing their own messages, and also sell a clear set of values every day. If you know a way to do that, I'm all ears.

Essentially prioritizing the immediate material fight against undemocratic and criminal elements. But I think you can do that and not put the messaging on hold, as you point out, as well.

Certainly the work of people like Marc Elias is vital to our survival. But "we" don't do that, that is to say, few of us are in a position to do that.

But we are ALL in a position to interact with our politicians and demand/encourage them to fundamentally change the way they have been approaching things. We will not win with a grab bag of narrow special interest issues. The issue that is at the heart of the anger felt by the majority of Americans is economic unfairness. And Trump's cabinet of billionaire crooks is bringing that into focus for everyone. We MUST grab this opportunity. We may not get another chance as clear-cut as this.

Democrats need to go after the rich.

“…we can't simply engage in mass mobilizations every time there's a new issue or program we're opposed to.” Good. Those are largely performative and ineffective anyway.

I am hopeful that we have learned the lessons of the past, including not counting on a white knight to save us. We have to do the fighting ourselves, and wisely.