Save the Post Office. Save America
Donald Trump is going to extraordinary lengths to damage the United States Postal Service and sow chaos in our upcoming elections. He’s admitted that he’s engaged in criminal action to rig the presidential election. He’s made clear that his ruthlessness knows no bounds. Can Democrats stop him?
As on so many issues, Democrats have whined about Trump’s conduct but done little to stop him. They complain that his Postmaster General has major conflicts of interest but haven’t taken legal or legislative action to remove him from office. They’ve been passive as Trump destroys norms of political behavior and decency and legitimizes corruption and criminality.
House leader Nancy Pelosi has yet to call the House back into session Chuck Schumer has sat idly by while Trump engineers a coup.
Last week the Postmaster General told his Board of Governors that mail wouldn’t be delayed, but now the Post Office is warning the public that it won’t be delivering ballots on time. Removing postal boxes and taken sorting machines and delivery trucks out of service virtually guarantees that it won’t meet its Constitutional obligations to the public. At the least, it’s discouraging voting by mail. At worst, it’s defusing public outrage at being screwed.
Why haven’t Democrats made a bigger stink over Trump’s destruction of the United States Postal Service? Why haven’t they taken steps to stop him? It’s time for them to stop whining on Twitter.
It’s time to fight.
As a start, Nancy Pelosi should reconvene Congress. A pandemic is ravaging the country, American business needs support, our people need financial relief, the president is trying to steal an election, and you think it’s good time to take a break? You can’t hold Skype hearings from your homes? You can’t take care of the people’s business?
In no particular order, here are some things Democrats could and should do
Immediately demand that the Postmaster and other top officials appear for questioning before Congress.
Make sure that Trump, the Postmaster, and every postal supervisor in the country down to the smallest rural station, know that they will be subject to a full range of federal and local charges, from mail and electoral fraud to possible RICO violations.
Seek immediate action from the courts immediately.
Demand that the courts affirm Congressional jurisdiction over the postal service.
Offer anonymous rewards to rank and file postal workers who credibly report supervisors delaying the mail.
Make sure that veterans and seniors know that their medications and benefits may be delayed by Trump’s stunt.
Educate the public: Over the years, Republicans have deliberately sabotaged the Postal Service. Now they are using the budgetary crisis they caused as justification both to rig the election and to dismantle and privatize the service.
Many businesses, from mom and pop operations to mega-corporations like Amazon, depend on the Post Office for their deliveries. Enlist the business community in a bipartisan effort to protect their service. Have them lobby their representatives. Publicly enlist other delivery services to collect and deliver ballots.
Many Republicans are actually strong supporters of the Postal Service, especially when it comes to defending their local services and offices. Form alliances with them. Drive a wedge in the Republican ranks.
The Postal Service is viewed favorably by 91% of the public. Mobilize their outrage over the Republican attack on their lives and livelihoods.
Defend the Constitution like it’s under siege. It is.
Democrats should recognize that Trump may succeed in his efforts to thwart voting by mail and prepare contingency plans for in-person voting. Make sure that every telephone call to prospective voters includes instructions on how to get to the polls and vote safely. Develop plans to provide transportation for everyone who wants to vote.
Democrats will have lawyers monitoring polling sites to make around the country. To maximize those lawyers’ efforts, they have to make sure their voters will actually make it to the polls.
With all the issues facing America, Democrats have to focus on one priority: Defeating Trump. Fail at that and nothing else will matter.
Get Out the Vote like our lives depend on it. They do.