Leah McElrath  🏳️‍🌈

The ONLY reasons that far WORSE has not happened and that what has happened has taken this long? YOUR resistance, the Democratic lawmakers ceaseless efforts to minimize and contain loss, and the choices by many in the judicial branch to uphold the rule of law. 2/x

The Trump administration WANTS MASS DEPORTATIONS. They are white supremacist authoritarian nativist fascists - call them whatever combo of terms you choose. The Republican Party and its leadership REPEATEDLY CHOOSE NOT TO HOLD THEM ACOUNTABLE to existing norms and laws. 3/x

The Trump administration WANTS TO DISMANTLE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. They are nihilists whose only power lies in the ability to destroy. The Republican Party and its leadership REPEATEDLY CHOOSE TO ENABLE THEIR DESTRUCTION – in order to pass tax cuts for wealthy donors. 4/x

And @TheDemocrats? Elected Democratic lawmakers DO NOT HAVE THE POWER to stop Trump and the GOP because they DO NOT HOLD THE MAJORITY in the House or Senate. Period. ALL they can do is loss containment (via painful compromises and/or obstruction – and they've done both). 5/x

We are going to lose things we took for granted and hold dear. Not because of the Democrats – but because of Trump and the GOP's amoral priorities. Families are already being broken apart. And people are going to die. That is going to happen. 6/x

People don't want to hear it, but – when it comes to the lives of undocumented immigrants – a win right now will be preventing MASS deportations. Even IF the GOP and Dems come to agreement in BOTH the House and Senate and pass a bill, there is NO guarantee Trump will sign. 8/x

I'm sorry, but that's the truth. In fact, it would be to Trump's political DISADVANTAGE to sign such a bill. Which means Congress would need to pass such legislation with a veto-proof majority IF they can come to agreement. 9/x

And I *really* am sorry. People I love are at risk for deportation and the break-up of their families. My daughter and I are at risk for losing health coverage and I have multiple pre-existing conditions. My father with dementia is at risk for losing nursing home care. 10/x

Yet here we are. Doing what the Left does best: infighting and self-cannibalization. 11/xhttps://twitter.com/MotherJones/status/955543571716648960 …

While we misuse our energy by infighting, the right-wing is busy taking more steps forward into trying to solidify white supremacist entho-nationalism here in the United States: "The Securing America's Future Act" 12/xhttps://twitter.com/AlexNowrasteh/status/955526223400194048 …

We WILL end up here again over Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. That is precisely the GOP plan. And they have the power to carry it out UNLESS AND UNTIL the Democrats are elected into the majority of at least one house of Congress. 13/xhttps://twitter.com/KillerMartinis/status/955544310006669318 …

LISTEN: Those "tax cuts" the GOP passed into law for corporations and the wealthiest 400 households in the United States? THOSE CANNOT BE FUNDED WITHOUT GUTTING MEDICAID AND MEDICARE. Period. The "growth" projections in the bill were smoke and mirrors. The GOP knows it. 14/x

This is exactly why I keep saying: PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE. If you are someone who thinks right NOW is the time to do a major structural internal critique, exacerbate division within the Left, and likely depress voter turnout as a result, I don't know what to tell you. 15/x

And I haven't even TOUCHED on the fact that, simultaneously, we are having to fight to SAVE our democratic republic from destabilization by foreign powers and their agents. 16/x

There is a GLOBAL effort by Putin and certain billionaires to use active measures to destabilize ALL liberal (small "l") democracies and to foster the expansion of white supremacist authoritarianism and economic "austerity" practices. The stakes could not be higher. 17/x

On DACA and Dreamers specifically, perhaps, if this is not already happening (and I hope it is), we need to start thinking outside the legislative box. Is there a way to effect MASS SANCTUARY via religious institutions if mass deportations become a reality, for instance? 18/x

More on DACA and Dreamers specifically: Some families are needing to consult immigration and/or family attorneys to create legal contingencies for their children if they themselves are deported. Can we do crowdfunding to help them or donate to already existing orgs? 19/x

More on DACA and Dreamers specifically: Our nation made a PROMISE to Dreamers in return for their giving the govt all of their personal info, and the govt is breaking its promise. Take action now locally and via $$$ to help protect them. WE are ALL our greatest strength. 20/x

In terms of the larger picture, ask yourself NOW: 1. What privilege and resources do you have that you are willing to spend? 2. For whom are you willing to spend them? No one is going to swoop in and save us. We save ourselves and each other – or we don't. 21/x

WE ARE AT A MORAL AND HISTORY-DEFINING CROSSROADS. Future generations will hold us responsible for both our actions and our inactions. And, yes, it is scary and exhausting. But none of us is alone. We are our greatest strength. <end thread 22/22>