this post was submitted on 31 Jan 2025
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Summary

As Trump reshapes the federal government, critics accuse Democrats of weak opposition, likening them to France’s Vichy regime, which collaborated with Nazi Germany.

The term “Vichy Democrats” has gained traction, expressing frustration with perceived capitulation.

Historians caution against direct comparisons but note parallels between Vichy’s failed appeasement and Trump-era political shifts.

Others argue that America’s own history—Jim Crow and past authoritarian tendencies—is a more relevant analogy.

Some fear Trump's consolidation of power could mirror past authoritarian takeovers.

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[–] [email protected] 70 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

One Democrat congressman from NY said he voted for the Laken Riley act because the will of the people had been shown in the election. What about the will of the the citizens in your state that elected you?

At this point the executive and judicial branches are effectively a team, the legislative branch is our last best hope before citizens need to step in en masse.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 day ago (1 children)

These congresspeople don't know what the "representative" in their title means.

[–] anon6789 9 points 1 day ago

I always understood that one of the advantages of representative government over democracy was that the majority cannot simply vote to crush the minority whenever they were in the mood to do so. The representative is supposed to represent the best interest of everyone they are there to represent, not just a select portion of them.

[–] [email protected] 73 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Good thing people can take to the streets without automatically being accused of being looting thugs and met with overwhelming police presence.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I feel there's an implied /s here.

If not.... Damn you must live in a different America than I do.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

What America are you living in? The pigs here tear gassed folks sitting on their front porch during the George Floyd protests - reporters were attacked and arrested and one was injured so badly that she's going to die from her injuries. And despite what Fox News might have said, those were overwhelmingly peaceful protests, at least until the cops started shit.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Might want to read that again from the top....

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

Ope, my bad

[–] FlyingSquid 46 points 1 day ago (1 children)

"Vichy Democrats." Great phrase. I'm going to have to start using it.

[–] disguy_ovahea 10 points 1 day ago

I got soda, purple stuff, Vichy D

[–] RememberTheApollo_ 23 points 1 day ago

Presidents come and presidents go. Through it all. God is still on the throne

He just pulled a “Jesus take the wheel” on us.

[–] [email protected] 30 points 1 day ago

If you are like me and no nothing of French history.

The Government of Vichy France was the collaborationist ruling regime or government in Nazi-occupied France during the Second World War.

[–] MasterBlaster 19 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I'm afraid many of my peers here lack the education to know what Vichy is, and thus would lampoon the article they did not read based on the title with smug superiority.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 day ago

I’m afraid many of my peers here lack the education to know what Vichy is

Indeed! Vichy democrats may be weak but there's a reason why they have such smooth skin:

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Some of us know history, and *gasps, are American too

[–] dhork 23 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It's important to note the political realities, though. Elections matter, and voters put Republicans in charge of both the Presidency and Congress. And the House in particular is driven by majority rule, so there is very little to do there but cast votes against dumb shit which will pass anyway. The minority in the Senate has a little more sway, but not really all that much. Expecting the Congress to be meaningful opposition is unrealistic right now.

To see the resistance in action, we need to look to other parts of government. States challenged the Federal funding freeze immediately, and the Courts acted swiftly, and forced the administration to at least partially back down. They need to keep the pressure on. States have some real power in holding an imperial Presidency in check, and they need to use it. Courts have sweeping powers, also, but cannot use them on their own, they need cases brought.

The only quick end to this is if God files His Ultimate Veto on the Trump Presidency and ends it early. Failing that, it will be a long slog to remind him he is not a King.

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I agree with your sentiments.

People have come to believe, from high-minded centrists, that the best way to resist is to step out of the way. Nonsense.

For any regular person looking to gum up the works, there's even a field manual printed by the pros.

https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/the-art-of-simple-sabotage/

[–] dhork 9 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

My point is a bit different. The current government is trying to flood the zone with misinformation to get everyone riled up and seeing threats everywhere, while they attack specific points in the Federal Government. Not everyone can resist it all, and in fact, they are counting on people getting so worked up at the minor stuff that they miss the major things. And there is only a very limited amount that the minority in Congress can do. Resistance should be targeted, just like their actual harmful actions are.

I would follow the lead of the States here. State governments (particularly Liberal ones) have the most to lose is this county goes full-on Fascist. They also have staff who understand the laws and how best to argue in court over this. Some bad shit will happen (particularly on immigration and deportation, where the States' only option is to choose not to help ICE) but I will look to the States to ensure that four years from now, there is still a functional Union left.

Thank God the individual States still manage elections. If it weren't for that, we'd all be fucked. We might still be, but at least it won't be without a fight.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

I disagree with your step out of the way remark. A lot of us are still mourning and reeling the loss of the country we thought we knew.

It also is important to make a plan and see the throughline amongst the chaos. If we don’t make a plan it’s going to be the summer of the 99% all over again.

[–] GeneralEmergency 12 points 1 day ago

vote out the Democrats giving Republicans majority control over the senate and house of reps.

"wHy AReN't DeMS dO soMEThinG"

[–] friend_of_satan 7 points 1 day ago

Casablanca memes have never been more relevant.