If you are a Democrat.

I would like to write something eloquent and persuasive for those who are Republicans and opposed to the current regime. Alas, I don’t think I have a clear or convincing set of views about that party and its members. I apologize.

I registered as a Democrat at 20 and have worked in a number of campaigns and have a great deal of experience. So, what can I say?

We are in a national crisis and most of the current leadership of the Democratic Party is useless. I am delighted to report that there are a small number of Democrats who are out there right now putting themselves on the line to fight to save democracy. It is very sad that there are so few.

When I did my research for this essay, I looked up the word, chicken, in its use as a synonym for a fleeing coward. There were around twenty-five words they said were similar and I really liked the word, “poltroon.” I think it gives the right sense as someone who you would expect to fight but instead runs away.

I would implore you as a good American citizen and patriot not to give one thin dime to anybody in the party who is not actively opposing what is happening in Washington right now. What do I mean by active opposition? I mean appearing in town halls, issuing press releases, doing podcasts, television interviews and showing up at demonstrations. Actions are what we want and we want them now.

I was looking at the news today and was surprised to see an article wondering if the Democrats should help keep the government funded apparently because the Republicans don’t have the votes and it would be a nice thing to do. This is the time to be an opposition party. This is the time to fight. This is the time to make your power felt. And above all, this is the time to stop what the current regime is doing.

Cooperating with would be dictators and crazy people is wrong and evil. And right now, the Democrats in Congress are worried about looking bad. Really?? The Constitution is being hollowed out, disregarded and destroyed and they’re worried about their reputation instead of their duty and their place in history.

As citizens we must act to reinforce the warriors and dedicated patriots of the Democratic Party. We absolutely must disregard the fund-raising letters and e-mails of the current leadership who are sitting at home doing nothing while asking for money. These do-nothing Democrats are completely useless. We are in danger of losing our democracy and our sacred rights and all they see is an opportunity for fundraising. Is there anything more cowardly and pathetic?

This is the time for a new leadership to emerge. We must find new Democrats who are willing to live and work as patriots.

And that is why I’m talking to you, those of us determined to resist. Probably, it has never occurred to you to seek elective office or even to participate in a precinct meeting. But these are not normal times. In American history, there have been movements like the Abolitionists, the Suffragettes, the Progressives and New Dealers that propelled average Americans into action and, thus, leadership.

This crisis is quite likely the worst in American History. We must take action to preserve our nation’s legacy of democracy, the people’s rule.

I know I am asking a lot. Running for office is a vale of suffering. A pathway of indignities and cruelty. The people on the other side have no compunction about lies, sabotage and violence. It will be dangerous.

You must be very courageous, very brave and very committed. But if you have that steel in your backbone, this is the time.

I believe firmly that that most of the current crop of Democrats are on their way out. They will avoid conflict, compromise their values and surrender if pushed enough. We in the party have no further use for these people. The future of the nation is at stake.

What should you stand for? Once we have achieved our first and primary goal of stopping the immediate destruction of this nation’s government, we can think of the future. Once we have won, I recommend Franklin Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” and Lyndon Johnson’s “The Great Society.” There are plenty of great ideas and American values encapsulated in those two sets of ideas.

The current think tank focused party must cease to exist and instead be replaced by a genuine people’s party that will fight for the poor and middle class.

We must march together to preserve American Freedoms and American Values. It is our duty and our privilege.

We must act now.

(Part 4 follows in a few days.)