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What gives? All of a sudden, liberals have a spine

February 12, 2017 by Andrew Heller 25 Comments

I’m the sort of guy who is quite likely to do the opposite of what you tell me to do.

It’s my thing.

So when alt-right types tell me people of the liberal persuasion should stop fussing and hollering and just fall in line behind the president, no matter how badly he acts, despite the fact they never did with Clinton or Obama, I know that’s precisely what we dare not do.

In fact, I think the angrier the righties get, the louder, longer and harder lefties need to protest.

The future of the country is at stake.

Yes, yes, I know. That sounds a bit dramatic. Maybe a lot dramatic.

But in this case I think it also happens to be true. If Trump and his cronies aren’t held in check, by the time they’re done with America it will be meaner, smaller, dirtier, poorer and more divided for generations to come. (For most people, anyway. For the wealthy, whoo boy, it’s going to be a living paradise.)

Fortunately, my side has recently rediscovered its backbone. It’d been missing for decades. In fact, I thought it was gone altogether. Dems watched passively as the country turned slowly and consistently from left-center to arch right, after all.

So who’d have thought they’d suddenly start caring now?

“It won’t last,” I thought as protesters coast to coast went nuts after Trump won. (I was among those who said, “Where was all that passion before the election? Try voting next time.”)

“It won’t last,” I said when people protested Trump’s SCOTUS pick, not because of the nominee himself but because Republicans screwed Obama out of his choice.

“It won’t last,” I thought after protesters clogged airports across the country after Trump issued his Muslim ban. (Righties: “It’s not a Muslim ban! It’s extreme vetting!” Yeah, extreme vetting aimed at keeping Muslims out. Ergo, a Muslim ban. How stupid do you think we are?)

“It definitely won’t last this time,” I said a few days ago when people flooded a town hall and chanted “Do your job!” to Rep. Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which isn’t doing any oversight of Trump’s financial dealings.

After that protest, Chaffetz said, “It doesn’t faze me. It’s a very, very small minority. It’s a very vocal, very frustrated, scorched earth mentality that’s not representative of the average person, certainly not in Utah. It might be in San Francisco or Seattle but not here. Not in middle America.”

A year ago, I’d have agreed with him. Sustained caring isn’t the left’s strong suit, not when there are low-fat soy lattes to be had.

But now I think he’s wrong. This wave of Dem anger isn’t just sour grapes, I suspect. It’s not fringe. It’s not a coastal lib thing.

It’s born of a genuine, visceral fear for the future, and that’s not the sort of anger that dissipates. It’s the sort that grows. The great Age of the Raging Democrat, I suspect, is upon us.

It’s long overdue and most welcome.

Rage on, my friends. Rage on.

Image credit: DonkeyHotey

Filed Under: National politics Tagged With: Andrew Heller, andrewheller.com, Trump

Comments

  1. Peg says

    February 12, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    Thanks for writing what I have been thinking!

    Reply
  2. Jim says

    February 12, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    I detest the mentally ill perverted man that was elected president. He’s an egotistical narcisistict pervert. When you go from one extreme as president to the other you have no choice to take a stand. Problem is people were so uninformed about this idiot they believed him. So with republicans controlling everything I fear it’s all in vain.

    Reply
  3. Fred says

    February 12, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    This is why America is already great. As heart broken and let down as I feel about trump being elected, I am full of pride when I read about or watch the massive protests unfolding nationwide.

    “Paid protesters”? Give me a break. Yes, apparently they DO think we are that stupid.

    I had been searching for an activist group in Michigan that I could get involved with. Does anyone know of one in or around Genessee County?

    Reply
    • Sue says

      February 12, 2017 at 9:38 pm

      Grand Rapids had an organizing meeting today. Indivisible Grand Rapids. Google Indivisible Michigan for others around the state and the USA. It’s a mixed group here, not just Dems. Broad range of ages, backgrounds.

      Reply
    • MARIE J CAMPBELL says

      February 13, 2017 at 12:35 pm

      If this link shows up try following it. I have downloaded Indivisible’s guidelines to how to establish groups and how to make the tactics work. Very well laid out and very informative. Here is the link to the West Mi. chapter on twitter. https://twitter.com/indivisiblewmi

      Reply
  4. Rick S. says

    February 12, 2017 at 9:44 pm

    The rage is real and like you I also feel it is about time to stand up and let your anger be known, Trump being elected is what it took, I just hope our country isn’t destroyed in the next two years and the anger draws more anti-Republican voters to the polls in 2018.

    Reply
  5. Nancy Oberman says

    February 12, 2017 at 9:46 pm

    Yes ,I said many times that OUR CONGRESSMEN NEED TO GROW SOME BALLS AND GET BUSY FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHTS …GET SOME COMMON SENSE BOYS WE NEED YOU TO FIGHT RYAN,MCCONNELL AND TRUMP ..STAND TOGETHER..I AM TURED OF THEM HALF ASSED SAYING ONE THING THEN JUST SLINKING AWAY EITH THEIR TSILS BETWEEN THEIR LEGS !ELIZABETH WARREN AND BERNIE SANDERS ALONG WIT DAN KILDEE AND DEBBIE STABENOW WORK FOR US AND GET SOME THINGS DONE BUT NOT TOO MANY OTHERS …..

    Reply
    • Nancy Oberman says

      February 12, 2017 at 9:48 pm

      Tails between their legs.

      Reply
  6. Paula says

    February 13, 2017 at 6:15 am

    From your lips to God’s ears!!!

    Reply
  7. Cathy says

    February 13, 2017 at 6:28 am

    Yes, yes, yes! Right on once again~
    The ‘fussing & hollering’ will not stop- thankfully. Gives me hope.

    Reply
  8. Mark S. says

    February 13, 2017 at 8:53 am

    When you read posts here and in other places, you will see Cons calling people that don’t agree with them ‘Snow Flakes’, just remember, when snowflakes come together they become avalanches. Hopefully, this becomes an avalanche of epic proportions……

    Reply
  9. NativeOfMichigan says

    February 13, 2017 at 9:21 am

    I was born in the 40’s, grew up in the 50’s and remember Ike and Adlai. Even though one of them won and the other lost, they still respected each other. Today, that is what is missing, respect. I have never seen so much disrespect as I see now. It is as if this generation of politicians never learned respect for other human beings.

    Reply
  10. Judith Brooks says

    February 13, 2017 at 9:45 am

    You expressed my thoughts exactly. The time to stand up is now!

    Reply
  11. MARIE J CAMPBELL says

    February 13, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    Andy, You are right on the money on this one. This time people are finally feeling the disgust of the “show” that is coming from Trump and his band of outlaws. It IS time for all of us like minded “liberals” to grow a pair and keep the pressure on these Republican congressmen/women. They have been working for years to bring the big money into control of our government and now they have it. Sadly they are stuck with the pig in the poke they bought and put in the White House and some of them are embarrassed about the actions of the pig, but are totally unwilling to stand up and say so. We MUST keep the pressure on our US Reps. and others states need to pressure their Republican Senators. I don’t believe this is going to end until Trump is removed one way or another. 2018 is coming and I say lets put a lot of GOP members out of a job!!
    RESIST!!!!!

    Reply
  12. Tom says

    February 13, 2017 at 9:32 pm

    1. Please, everybody, always remember that Trump actually lost the election by millions of votes. The Electoral College stinks.

    2. Please support our Michigan Senator Debbie Stabinow, in order to oppose Trump.

    3. Note that Trump’s Alien Exclusion Act is in abeyance, due to our effective courts. Trump cannot get away with his horse-frockey. The USA has teeth.

    4. I repeat from previous posts that Trump will not serve out his first term (prediction). He will not like being President, and will get into many problems. And, he will resign.

    Reply
    • Cathy says

      February 14, 2017 at 6:13 am

      Thank you for the wise reminders, Tom!

      Reply
  13. Working Dad says

    February 14, 2017 at 4:28 am

    “Yeah, extreme vetting aimed at keeping Muslims out. Ergo, a Muslim ban. How stupid do you think we are?”

    You are extremely stupid Andy. If the temporary travel restrictions were actually targeted at Muslims, there would be several dozen more countries on the list. The seven countries on the list are either sworn enemies (their choice and stance) to the USA or literally have no effective government, making it impossible to rely on info from them regarding their people that want to come here. We need extreme vetting and we will have it.

    Reply
  14. Working Dad says

    February 14, 2017 at 4:34 am

    The violent, rioting Democrats that are committing arson, assaults and destroying property need to receive two rounds in the torso and one in the head. They are not brave in any way. They are cowardly turds that cover their faces, commit hit and run attacks and victimize innocent bystanders.

    The fact that you worship their hate filled, cowardly, violent acts tells us all we need to know about your character.

    Reply
    • Fred says

      February 15, 2017 at 4:13 am

      You are talking about shooting people and democrats are the violent ones? Must be more of that trump logic.

      Reply
      • Working Dad says

        February 15, 2017 at 10:48 am

        The rioting, arson committing, assaulting Democrats are doing the crimes. Self defense from these crimes is my right. I carry daily and will defend myself, my family and other innocent bystanders. I don’t care if you don’t like it.

        Democrat rioters are the violent ones.

        Reply
        • Fred says

          February 15, 2017 at 1:10 pm

          I know focnews is telling you those are democrat rioters, but who you are referring to are just a few trouble makers who do not represent any party. I know foxnews also tried to pretend nothing was going on January 21st, so I will tell you; millions of Americans gathered to protest in several major U.S. Cities and there was not one report of rioting. So don’t worry, those scary democrats aren’t gonna get ya. Put your gun away before you hurt yourself or a family member.

          Reply
  15. Ernie Davis says

    February 14, 2017 at 7:06 pm

    Wow! These comments were written by my fellow Americans? We have the best chance in a long time to create good jobs, good retirements, a safe country for all, gain respect again around the world and what I see here are comments containing horrible remarks about the President and the rest of the country. What have we come to? If Hilliary had won would this be going on? I think not. May our God please help us all.

    Reply
    • Working Dad says

      February 15, 2017 at 4:14 am

      You must remember the Democrat mantra when reading Andy’s articles….

      “Hate America First!”

      Reply
    • Fred says

      February 15, 2017 at 4:17 am

      “We have the best chance in a long time to create good jobs, good retirements, a safe country for all, gain respect again around the world”

      Well if trump told you that, it must be true, right?

      Reply
      • Ernie Davis says

        February 15, 2017 at 6:34 pm

        No, Rush did!

        Reply

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