“Claim no easy victories,” said Guinea-Bissau revolutionary Amilcar Cabral. I say to the Democrats, don’t try to claim the hard ones either. Democrats were grinning from ear to ear after the victorious election results from coast to coast. Not so fast, Dems.

The elections were definitely a referendum on trump authoritarianism. It was also a high-five to the Democrats who dared to break through the political malaise with the new tactics, ideas, messaging, and policies. True, the Dems’ favorability numbers are not as low as the president’s, but the Democratic Party has the lowest approval ratings in thirty years. The Party has been chasing its tail since an estimated 10-15 million Democratic voters said, “Talk to the hand,” and sat out the 2024 election. The consequences of that voter apathy and anger have contributed to our current situation.

Dems have been duckin’ and dodgin’ confrontations with the bully in the White House. A bully, mad with power, who is blatantly abusing the office in multiple ways and daring anyone to stop him. The November 4 elections were a bright spot that is slowing down the MAGA machine and has the potential to be pivotal in the months leading up to the 2026 mid-term elections.

There were significant outcomes in the recent elections. In California, a historic voter turnout led to the passage of Prop 50, which will enable a redistricting map favoring Democrats. New York voters elected Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a democratic socialist named after Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah. Virginia, which has been a target of Trump’s harsh policies, including the government shutdown, sent a strong message by reclaiming the state’s executive branch. Additionally, New Jersey elected its first female governor. Across the country, Democrats were elected or reelected as mayors, prosecutors, council members, judges, governors, and more.

Voters hit the streets in the No Kings protests, letting the MAGA minions know of our disgust with their trashing of the Constitution and their fascist policies. It was also a gigantic nod to Democrats that we had their backs when they do the work of the People.

The Democrats who stood up, showed some courage, and expressed new ideas received voter support, like California Governor Gavin Fight-Fire-With-Fire Newsom. In three months, his campaign was able to galvanize millions to the polls in response to MAGA’s illegal redistricting campaign to steal the 2026 mid-term elections.

Constituents urged Democratic lawmakers to stay firm on their demands during the government shutdown. Many were willing to endure hardships for the greater good, leading to the longest shutdown in history. The people had a successful day at the polls. Then eight traitors emerged.

Senators Richard Durbin (IL), Angus King (ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (NV), Jacky Rosen (NV), Maggie Hassan (NH), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), John Fetterman (PA). and Tim Kaine (VA) all broke ranks from their caucus to betray the strategy. Their treacherous actions mean that the key demands, like affordable healthcare, have been sacrificed. These senators are all either retiring or not up for reelection soon. In other words, they had nothing to lose. Except for their integrity, if they care.

Trump has caused irreparable harm to this country in ways that we do not fully know or understand – harm that will set us back for generations. People have been slow to take decisive action, perhaps waiting for the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of government to kick in and check the overwhelming abuse of power.

The vote is a powerful tool for participation in a democracy, but it cannot compare to the strength of a united effort at all levels to halt and correct the dangerous path this country is on. History must be written to tell the story of a nation’s powerful, sustained resistance to save a broken democracy.