Joe Biden said it while presiding over the counting of the votes of the Electoral College in the House of Representatives yesterday: “It’s over.” The vote effectively delivered a license for the Trump Mafia to declare open season on liberal democracy and government institutions that have made our country a good place to live. There were, however, Democratic members of the House who weren’t going let it go without a fight:
Members of the House of Representatives objected to the electoral tally in states including Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Texas, Mississippi and the Carolinas in a symbolic move that exposed lingering dismay over a contentious election campaign.
Some members complained about long lines at polling stations while others cited concerns over Russian attempts to influence the result in Trump's favor.
"I object because people are horrified by the overwhelming evidence of Russian interference in our election," said Representative Barbara Lee of California before being overruled.
Objections were also raised by representatives from Massachusetts, California, Washington and Maryland. Unfortunately, at least one Senator would have had to join the protesters in order to make a difference. Had there been a brave senate soul willing to put him or herself on the line along with the House members who went on the record to protest irregularities that resulted in the election of an egotistical simpleton, the objecting House Members could have suspended the joint session and the House and Senate would have had to meet separately to debate the objections.
There would have been plenty of fuel for a real fight. Trump would still take over the presidency. But fighting him on the doorstep of the White House would have helped slow down the process of Trumpification, and there would have been lots of media noise. It wouldn’t matter whether or not that noise painted the protesters in an unfavourable light, the ultimate effect would be to weaken the Trump presidency and help slap-down the slavering GOP pack yapping in his wake. And most importantly, it would send the message that this is not a normal president and the hand-over of power is not a matter or routine where we need to show that we’re good losers.
I’m a patriotic American. And yes, I admit it — I want to weaken Russia’s handpicked president. I want to signal to the GOP that they won’t get their way without a struggle. I want to save my country from Steve Bannon and his ethno-nationalist, white supremacist BS. I want to save government institutions that reflect decades of progressive struggle, things like Social Security, Medicare and Obamacare, from libertarian savages like the Kochs who have bought the Republican party lock, stock and barrel. I’m horrified about putting conspiracy-addled, paranoid fools like Mike Flynn in charge of national security. Fighting anyway one can against the wholesale destruction that the GOP Trump cabal promises is the patriotic thing to do. If Trump and the GOP opportunists riding his coattail succeed, America loses big-time.
As it was, Biden declared it to be all over and Paul Ryan smirked while his crew laughed out loud.
It makes me afraid for the future. Will the Democratic Party establishment continue to worry about whether or not folks think they’re good guys? Will Democratic Senators continue to pretend that they’re too grown-up — the adults in the room, as they say — to give a damn while their constituents are getting mugged?