It’s worth reminding ourselves that this race toward cruel and insipid fascism could end tomorrow if a handful of elected Republicans joined with Democrats to impeach the president. 

Instead of spouting platitudes about the shutdown being the fault of Sen. Chuck Schumer, as if we’re still living in an era of semi-functional governance, Sen. Susan Collins could be saving her reputation (and her soul) by leading this change and rallying her colleagues. Instead, President Trump’s masked Gestapo sows terror on our streets as the world looks on in horror at our collapse.

I have no faith that Sen. Collins will do what’s right and necessary, but I believe our eyes need to remain open to what is possible, and we need to keep applying pressure on the few Republicans left who might still place country and Constitution over party and Dear Leader.

Nathaniel Krenkel
Portland