I was recently reading an article that said we have 400 days to save our democracy — specifically, by having Democrats take back control of the House of Representatives in the midterms in order to stop the forward motion of Trump’s autocracy (source).
And here’s the truth: while many are disillusioned by politicians, whether we like it or not, our very lives — especially for anyone who isn’t a straight white cis man like myself (and even then) — are political.
Which means we have no choice but to engage.
Though 30% of the country voted for Trump, there is still recourse.
We cannot allow rage, depression, or nihilism to win out.
We must come together and vote.
But here’s the other side of that truth: Democratic leaders need to be much stronger.
They need to show true integrity by not bowing down.
Things will continue to get worse for all of us if they don’t get their shit together and start acting like the leaders we need.
That said, it’s time to be crystal clear about what we expect from the people who claim to represent us.
For too long, Democrats have been allowed to coast on “at least we’re not Republicans.”
That’s not good enough. Not anymore.
We’re living in a moment where fascism and white Christian nationalism are on the march.
Rights are being stripped away.
Violence is growing.
People are putting their bodies on the line every single day to defend freedom.
And in the face of that, “we don’t have the power” isn’t an excuse.
Leaders can always choose to fight. Leaders can always choose to speak up.
So here’s the pledge: if you want our vote, here’s the minimum standard.
Never sacrifice marginalized groups. Don’t trade away trans rights, immigrant protections, or the safety of communities of color for “political expedience.” Every time Democrats have done this, it’s been a betrayal.
Never side with Republicans on rollbacks of rights. If they’re pushing authoritarian laws or stripping freedoms, fight it, period. No bipartisan cover for oppression.
Never support genocide or authoritarian “compromises.” There’s no moral gray area here. If you stand on the side of mass violence or dictatorship, you’re unfit for office.
Call out corruption — even in your own party. Too often silence equals complicity. If you won’t speak out against bad actors, you’re helping them.
Do everything you can to block fascism. That means using every tool, every platform, every ounce of influence you have. People on the ground are already risking everything. Politicians need to match that urgency.
And there’s more. If you truly want to lead on the left, here are non-negotiables you can’t ignore:
No more corporate capture. Stop taking corporate PAC money. Stop writing laws that serve Wall Street before Main Street.
Defend labor. Stand with unions, workers, and the right to organize. If you can’t side with working people, you don’t deserve their support.
Fight voter suppression. Don’t just protect what little is left of voting rights — expand them. Make it easier, not harder, for people to have a voice in their democracy.
Be loud. Even when you can’t win the vote, use your platform to make the case. Stop hiding behind “political reality” while real people suffer.
For decades, “centrism” has meant selling out the very people Democrats claim to represent.
Watering down bills.
Cutting deals with bad-faith actors.
Pretending that compromise with extremists is “reasonable.”
That has to end.
This isn’t about purity politics. It’s about survival.
People’s lives are on the line. Democracy is on the line.
If Democrats want to win — really win — they need to stop chasing Republican approval and start fighting for the people who put them in office.
This series is about what it takes to move toward a brighter future.
In the next post, I’ll dive into the messaging we need to actually win hearts and minds — the kitchen table issues that matter to everyone.
After that, we’ll talk about how to build a movement strong enough to last.
👉 If you don’t want to miss it, subscribe to The Pathfinder Chronicles. This isn’t just about resisting fascism. It’s about fighting for tomorrow.