As a former: Hawai’i State Senator, Majority Leader, Councilmember, Vice-Chair of the State Democratic Party, and member of the DNC – I like to believe my thinking, writing and political commentary is informed and on point.

I hope I’m wrong on this one, but I’ve got to say it out loud.

In less than 90 days our Democracy has dissolved before our eyes.

This is not hyperbole.

Our 3 separate but equal branches of government, designed specifically by the drafters of the constitution to prevent the rise of dictatorships – are separate and equal no more.

This is inarguable.

The Trump/Musk/Vance triumvirate continue to ignore and defy the courts. A majority in Congress cower in fear of Elon Musk and the billions he will use against them in their next election.

A few days ago, we saw the President of the United States laughing and high-fiving with the “cool dictator” from El Salvador. The same dictator we are paying $6 million to run our concentration camps.

A few weeks ago, we watched the top leaders in charge of the United States military and national security both foreign and domestic, look directly into the eyes of U.S. Senators and Representatives and spout lie after lie, denying, obfuscating, and gas-lighting, in a desperate attempt to escape accountability for the debacle known now as “Signal Gate”.

Makes me want to throw up.

These are the people who control our nuclear weapons, our battle ships, and fighters jets. They are the ones who decide when to send American troops off to war and when to arrest in the middle of the night those brave souls willing to raise their voices in opposition to that war.

What’s the next step in this still somewhat shaky dictatorship?

What they need and are no doubt planning and hoping for is a “crisis” that distracts us from the craziness.

An international crisis that directly threatened Americans or vital American interests – would ignite their base and justify the continued defiance of the courts, congress and constitution.

It seems clear Israel is now moving to take over Gaza completely and kill anyone standing in the way. The increased U.S. bombing of Yemen, complete with gleefully expressed threats from Trump of “total annihilation” have generated unavoidable retorts from both Yemen and Iran pushing back.

A major international “incident” either foreign or domestic – whether real, fake-news, or false-flag, would give this emerging dictatorship the “emergency power” needed to forgo compliance with court orders, and be the red meat needed to ensure the MAGA base rises up to cheer them on.

Think “Insurrection Act” which is expected to be announced any day and will mean martial law at the border and soon thereafter in our urban centers and universities.

While the train wreck that is America’s future seems unavoidable, it of course doesn’t have to be this way.

Both the Courts and Congress could step up to the plate, give life to the fundamental meaning and purpose of the U.S. constitution, and push back hard against the dictatorship before it further solidifies its power.

Our Governors, Mayors and State Legislatures could likewise stand up against the tyranny.

At some point the military, will have to choose between serving the dictator or serving the constitution. This is inevitable.

And you and I?

We must be there defending and supporting the judges, and our elected government leaders regardless of Party affiliation, who choose a path based on fulfilling their moral, ethical and constitutional responsibilities.

We must march, carry signs, make the calls, send off the letters and email, attend town hall meetings, and continue submitting testimony to our councils and legislature.

We must insist our local government leaders act with integrity, and remind them it is through resistance, not appeasement that dictators are deposed.

And we must stand in solidarity, side by side, with our brothers and sisters being persecuted across the land – providing sanctuary, support, and help whenever we can.

We’re all in this together. We need to hold on and we need to fight back.

There’s a storm coming – and truly a hard rain is gonna fall.

Sincerely,
Gary Hooser
garyhooser.com (https://www.garyhooser.com/)
8 years – Kaua`i County Council

8 years – Hawai’i State Senate – 4 as Majority Leader
Former Vice Chair Democratic Party of Hawai’i
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