We tend to see mass upsurges and rebellions from below as occurring outside the framework of elections. At the point of production, in the workplace, in the streets. But isn’t that too restrictive and limited? I would make a case that what we saw on Election Day was a mass popular upsurge – organized and spontaneous – of remarkable breath and depth against the MAGA movement. The marching of tens of millions to cast their vote for democracy, democratic governance, and democratic rights was, moreover, every bit as authentic as street and strike actions, took place on a scale that makes it unique, and possesses positive consequences in the near and longer term that few other actions can claim.

My point here isn’t to diminish the latter – street and strike actions -, but only to recast how we see the struggle in the electoral arena in our political imagination and practice.

The claim that the naked aggression of the Putin regime against Ukraine is simply reactive and defensive – nothing more than a proxy war – persists among some on the left. That Putin might have his own imperialist, aggrandizing, empire building ambitions, that Ukraine has a right to independence and peaceful development never enters their calculus, trapped as they in old frames of understanding. Nor do they even hint that Russian withdrawal from Ukraine is at the core of any meaningful negotiations and settlement.

I can’t add much to the obituary, other than to say what Richard possessed in abundance was uncommon courage. He was unusually modest and soft spoken, but had no hesitation to speak truth to power. In that – and others ways as well – he set a good example for the rest of us as we carry on in life.

Between now and the convening of the next Congress in January, the Biden administration and Congressional Democrats should use this time to pass critical legislation that won’t have a “snowballs chance of passing” next year. If they chose such a course of action, all of us should find a way to demonstrably express our wholehearted support.

Bravo to Nancy Pelosi – champion of democracy, architect of people’s unity, and warrior against Trump and the MAGA crowd.

She was never lacking in courage. Still fresh in my memory is Nancy standing and lecturing Trump in the Oval office as well as her steely determination to finish the business of Congress on January 6, even though the Capital Building was under fascist like assault.

I have always been on the left, but it doesn’t and shouldn’t prevent me from admiring her tenacity and leadership during these difficult times.

(From her speech yesterday in the House announcing her decision to step down as leader of the Democratic Caucus.)

“Indeed, American Democracy is majestic – but it is fragile.

Many of us here have witnessed its fragility firsthand – tragically, in this Chamber.

And so, Democracy must be forever defended from forces that wish it harm.

Last week, the American people spoke.  And their voices were raised in defense of liberty, of the rule of law and of Democracy itself.

With these elections, the people stood in the breach and repelled the assault on Democracy.  They resoundingly rejected violence and insurrection.  And in doing so, ‘gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.’”