The Democratic leadership faces the a definitive moment. For those of us who care about opposing the authoritarianism that has already stolen the reins of the federal government, as well as many statehouses, we will be watching.
Two things are happening right now, and I fear that Schumer and Jeffries and will fail with a capital F.
The first is clearly the mayoral contest in New York City. The lines are drawn, the differences between the candidates represent so much more than a mayoral race. Zohran Mamdani is the future. He is visionary, he is young, he is handsome and personable, loves to mingle with the people- he even smiles, something that looks predatory on the face of his opponent Cuomo if he is ever able to move past his general scowl. He has captured the youth vote- the registration numbers have been through the roof. Zohran has done such things as walk the entire lenght of Manhattan, talking with voters along the way. He has promised a true affordabilty agenda, something Trump promised his rubes with absolutely no intention of following through on- he is still claiming to the Fox illiterates that he has a plan to make soaring prices reverse themselves, although the only plan that looks plausible is a deep economic depression. And how many figures in the Democratic leadership have endorsed Zohran? Let’s try zero on for size.
Meanwhile, Cuomo is plotting with Trump and the wealthiest real estate interests in New York to try to eliminate the competition: how much can we bribe current mayor Eric Adams to push him out of the way? Adams seems to be holding out for more than a measly ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia. Maybe 3 billion in the Caymans? Not sure what they can offer Curtis Sliwa, who is consistently polling higher than than Adams. Cuomo is about as popular a syphillis with many New Yorkers- he was a nasty governor, forced to step down due to many credible allegations of sexual harassment. The New York Times, who are clearly favoring anyone but Zohran, actually ran a ran a column a few weeks ago about the (futile) attempt to make Cuomo warm and fuzzy. Maybe Onion worthy?
The other litmus test is the budget negotiations- on September 30, the money runs out. The last time, under great pressure from the masses to withold funds from Trump, but apparently more pressure from his Wall Street masters, Schumer acted to hurt the interests of all vulnerable Americans: he gave Trump a massive blank check by voting to continue government operations. Lots of fascist repression has occurred since that last vote in March, 2025. We have seen how our tax dollars are being used: to create a giant network of concentration camps that would bring a smile to Hitler’s ugly face. He has spent billions to put together an untrained, unaccountable, faceless Gestapo- knowing that he is not Hitler, and he faces far more opposition, he has allowed these goons to remain anonymous so they are immune from the sort of punishment the right inflicts on anyone who speaks out for human rights. He has infinite funds to use airlines to send innocent immigrants to points unknown, such as the hellish CECOT in El Salvador. No due process (remember that rag, the Constitution?) no trials, no legitimate warrants, no protections from illegal search and seizure.
So this time around, establisment kiss-ups Schumer and Jeffries have two tests- will they support the people or will they support Donalt Trump’s directly stated interest in undermining the will of New Yorkers? And will Schumer, against the wishes of almost the entire Democratic rank and file, give Trump another blank check?
Stay tuned.