Is there anyone left to say, "NO?"

As we watch our democracy being chipped away, it appears there is no one telling Donald Trump, “No.” Every new executive order ramps up the takeover Trump has planned. He is micromanaging the destruction with nary a complaint from his congress, his judges, his MAGA governors and the justice department.

For those who do speak out against what is going on, attack comes quickly. Trump must have his phone sewn into his hand, as he whips out vitriol every hour of the day or night.

Scathing news is reported in mainstream media. Opinions from people a lot smarter than Trump give us information that Trump propaganda media outlets do not report for fear of disturbing the dear leader.

The New York Times is one of those truth telling sources. An editorial written by ten former directors of the CDC, including our own Dr. Mandy Cohen, raised a caution flag about the destruction of the HHS and CDC caused by a quack director, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

Kennedy has halted research on vaccines and is beginning his move to cancel the childhood vaccine program. We saw the harm of that in the measles outbreak this spring. We are inviting polio and AIDS to roar back. Whoever the most susceptible among us must beware. The covid vaccine and flu vaccines may become less available. Heaven forbid Bird Flu and Eboli won’t run rampant through America.

 The Kennedy family told Congress - in great detail - that Kennedy was a wack job, but Congress still affirmed his appointment. So far, no dead bears have shown up at the front door of the CDC, but it’s only been a few months.

Recent rulings by the Supreme Court give the president greater power with every case. Following the ruling of presidential immunity, Trump has run rampant.

As our cities are militarized, we look like North Korea or Russia. If the goal is to instill fear, that tactic is working. Colleges and Universities are intimidated and threatened to tow the mark or risk high financial penalties if Trump’s requirements are not met. He appears to be winning by intimidation. (I thought that book said that in the end intimidation is not a winning strategy.) We may lose the Republic before we see that happen. People like Michael Luttig and Anne Applebaum are suggesting it’s already lost.

We thought something, someone, some voice would put the stop on the worst impulses of Trump. But the courts, the congress, the justice department, and the Maga voters are giving the “all systems go” nod. There is no one saying “no.”

Matt Bai wrote a recent editorial, Our Institutions aren’t Failing, We Are. Bai writes, “As the architects of Trump’s agenda understand, none of these institutions are really equipped to rein in a rapacious, imperial president. Even if judges and lawmakers wanted to plant themselves in Trump’s path (and a lot of lower court judges have certainly tried), the best they could do is issue orders and hold a bunch of hearings.

“It is the American people who must hold the president accountable, and we are failing miserably.” Impeachment has not worked. Two impeachments have failed. Monetary penalties for business fraud cases in New York judgments against Trump have been dismissed.

Bai suggests that it is the moderate conservatives, the mainstream Republican voters who are quiet. They watch the stock market which, despite tariffs, remains high. Their decision for inaction in reining Trump in is driven by their portfolios, and incomes high enough to withstand price hikes – at least for a while. It feels like we are moving into a “Let them Eat Cake” era. Regardless of what Marie Antoinette actually said, the sentiment of it spurred the French revolution.

Elections are too far away as we watch Democracy circle the drain and be gone. There is no real plan for what will come when all the administrative state, the Congress, the Judiciary and HHS will do as they redirect our nation into Autocracy. We likely will be poorer, less educated, unhealthier. As our population browns and ages, burdens of care will increase and there will be no help available.

Nihilism is on the horizon. Until somebody is unafraid to stand up and say, “NO”, the direction of this drama will not change.

Lib Campbell is a retired Methodist pastor, retreat leader, columnist and host of the blogsite www.avirtualchurch.com. She can be contacted at libcam05@gmail.com