I think that in the face of a successfully coordinated & executed plan to dissolve

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> the checks and balances that the independence of the 3 branches of government provided and

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Rightwards arrow" aria-label="Emoji: Rightwards arrow"> the separation of church and state,

that this great experiment has failed.

There is no recourse.

I don& #39;t see an escape route. I just want to say & not everyone will agree that democratic leaders & members of congress have done a stellar job. Not everyone seems to understand how difficult their job has been. From nuanced messaging to weighing the benefits/risks of litigation.

I have cringed at criticisms of them because for some reason I have understood the traps, pitfalls and ambushes that awaited them no matter how steady their footing. I have been punished for defending them. That& #39;s OK, I& #39;m https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇨🇦" title="Flag of Canada" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Canada"> and we& #39;re built to take a beating!

A large portion of the population including their elected officials support & defend this toxic administration or can& #39;t be bothered to challenge it. Independent, critical thinking skills just aren& #39;t there. This feature made https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇺🇸" title="Flag of United States" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United States"> a choice target for https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🇷🇺" title="Flag of Russia" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Russia">

Putin is winning.

I would be remiss to point out the organizations, groups & events that have helped to make this possible:

Finance campaign laws --> Citizens United
Demise of the FCC Fairness Doctrine
Erosion of Voting Rights Act
Failure to reform/abolish the EC
Failure to secure elections

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Partisan judiciary and

Free speech laws (legitimize racist ideologies & conspiracy theories & create chaos)

#DarkMoney
#KochNetwork
#ALEC
#CNP
#HeritageFoundation
#FederalistSociety
#Oligarchs (foreign & domestic)
#MalignantCapitalism
#ChristianCrusaders

To name a few...

I& #39;m afraid that your fragile democracy is inherently too weak to fight off the myriad of destructive, well organized groups.

By nature, democracy isn& #39;t fierce, but it& #39;s opponents are. Your democracy demands your engagement to stand up & fight fiercely in its defense.

I have to & #39;look away& #39; for a while. I& #39;m sorry that this thread predicts such a poor prognosis for your future. Unless and until the people exert their power in meaningful numbers and meaningful ways, my prediction will remain unchanged. Until then...