A Black Woman’s Field Guide to Recognizing When Democracy Is Getting Its Butt Kicked
Look, I’m just a woman trying to mind my business, raise and legacy build up my daughters... right (even though they’re grown), mourn my husband in peace, and maybe enjoy a glass of wine without having to worry about whether we’re living in the prequel to some dystopian nightmare. But NOOOO. Here we are in October 2025, and I gotta sit down and explain to y’all how we got a president out here acting like he’s starring in “House of Cards” meets “The Hunger Games,” and half of America is like, “This is fine.”
Side-eyeing: It is NOT fine.*
Part I: The Audacity, The Gall, The UNMITIGATED GALL
So Let Me Get This Straight…
The government is shut down. AGAIN. People are out here struggling—unemployed, underemployed, underinsured, over-stressed, and completely out of patience. Meanwhile, our esteemed President—and I use that term SO loosely it’s practically in orbit—is spending MILLIONS of dollars tearing down parts of the White House to build a ballroom.
A. BALLROOM.
Not a hospital. Not affordable housing. Not a “let’s feed hungry children” center. A BALLROOM. Because apparently, when the nation is on fire, what we really need is a good place to do the Electric Slide. Make it make sense. I’ll wait.
Is This Legal? (Spoiler: Probably Not)
Here’s the thing that really grinds my gears: There are actual LAWS against this nonsense. Let me break it down for you:
The Antideficiency Act (1884) -
Honey, this law says you cannot spend money that Congress hasn’t given you permission to spend. Period. Full stop. End of discussion. It’s like your teenager taking your credit card without asking, except this teenager has nuclear codes and zero accountability.
The Impoundment Control Act (1974) -
This baby came out of Tricky Dick Nixon trying to spend money however he wanted. It says, “Sir, Congress controls the purse strings, not you.” But do we care about that anymore? Apparently not!
The Appropriations Clause (Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution) -
This isn’t even a regular law, chile. This is IN THE CONSTITUTION. You know, that document everyone swears they love but nobody actually reads? It says all federal money has to be approved by Congress. ALL. OF. IT.
So when the government is shut down because Congress can’t agree on a budget, and this man is out here renovating like he’s on HGTV, that’s not just tacky—it’s ILLEGAL.
But will anybody do anything about it? *Makes that face your mama made when you tried to explain why you didn’t do your homework*
Part II: The Heritage Foundation’s Wish List from Hell (aka Project 2025)**
What Fresh Hell Is This?
Okay, so you asked me about Project 2025, and honey, let me tell you—I wish I could say this was some conspiracy theory cooked up by people who watch too much TV. But no. This is REAL. The Heritage Foundation (you know, those folks who think Ronald Reagan was the second coming) wrote a whole 900-PAGE MANUAL on how to dismantle American democracy and called it “Mandate for Leadership.”
The AUDACITY.
Let me break down this monstrosity:
What They Want to Do:
1. **Fire everybody who knows how to do government stuff** - They want to bring back “Schedule F,” which is fancy talk for “fire all the career civil servants who actually know what they’re doing and replace them with MAGA loyalists who’ll do whatever Dear Leader says.” Because who needs expertise when you have LOYALTY, am I right? *Eye roll so hard I can see my brain*
2. **Eliminate entire government agencies** - The Department of Education? Gone. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau? Bye. FBI independence? *Makes throat-slashing gesture*. They want to tear down everything from the IRS to the EPA. You know, all those agencies that protect us from corporations poisoning our water and banks stealing our money. Who needs ’em?
3. **Control your body, your bedroom, and your library** - They want to ban abortion nationwide, restrict birth control, eliminate LGBTQ+ rights, ban books, and generally tell everybody how to live. Because “freedom” means the freedom to do exactly what THEY tell you to do.
4. **Give all the money to rich people** - Flat tax (which means poor folks pay more, rich folks pay less), deregulation (because corporations DEFINITELY don’t need oversight—what could go wrong?), and gutting social safety nets. But hey, at least billionaires will have more yacht money!
5 **Militarize everything** - Deploy the military to the border, use them for domestic law enforcement, and basically turn America into a police state. You know, like all those “freedom-loving” dictatorships we side-eye.
Who Benefits?:
- Rich white men ✓
- Corporations ✓
- Christian nationalists ✓
Who Gets Hurt?
- Literally everybody else ✓✓✓
Can They Actually Do This?
Here’s where I have to hit you with some real talk: Yes, they can try. And with a Republican president, Republican Congress, and a Supreme Court that’s already shown which way the wind blows? They’ve got a better shot than I’m comfortable with.
But—and this is important—it ain’t gonna be easy.
Why? …Because:
- State governments (especially blue states) can fight back
- Lawsuits. So. Many. Lawsuits.
- Career government workers know how to slow-walk this foolishness
- The American people (when we’re paying attention) are NOT here for this
- The Constitution is still a thing (even if some folks act like it’s a suggestion)
### **What We Can Do If They Try This Mess**
Listen, I didn’t survive raising teenagers, losing my husband, and 2020 to roll over and play dead now. Here’s what we can do:
1. **Legal challenges** - The ACLU and other organizations are already warming up their lawyers
1. **State resistance** - Blue states can refuse to cooperate and create their own programs
Document EVERYTHING** - Screenshots, records, whistleblowing
Vote in EVERY election** - Local, state, federal, school board, DOG CATCHER
Organize** - Join groups, show up to town halls, make your voice heard
Support independent journalism** - Because somebody’s gotta tell the truth
Take care of each other** - Mutual aid, community support, looking out for our neighbors
Part III: The Super PAC Shenanigans (Or How Buying Elections Became “Free Speech”)**
How Is This Not Bribery?
You asked how Super PACs aren’t illegal, and HONEY, I ask myself this question every single day.
Here’s the deal: In 2010, the Supreme Court decided in *Citizens United v. FEC* that spending money on politics is “free speech” protected by the First Amendment. So corporations and billionaires can spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections as long as they don’t “coordinate” with the candidates.
Makes the jerk-off motion
“Don’t coordinate.” Right. Like when Elon Musk was out here literally giving away MILLIONS of dollars to people in swing states right before the 2024 election, that wasn’t coordinating? Baby, please.
What IS illegal:
- Directly paying people to vote
- Bribing voters
- Buying votes outright
What apparently ISN’T illegal:
- Giving people money for signing a petition (that just HAPPENS to identify likely voters in swing states)
- Spending unlimited money on ads
- Basically buying elections as long as you use the right words
Make it make sense. I’m serious. Somebody explain to me how this isn’t just bribery with extra steps.
Part IV: Can This Man Go to Jail? (A Question That Keeps Me Up at Night)**
The Presidential Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card
Okay, so here’s where it gets REALLY frustrating. You asked if the president can be sent to jail, and the answer is… *deep breath* …maybe? Nobody really knows because it’s never happened.
Here’s what we DO know:
**The OLC Memo** - The Office of Legal Counsel (which is just a bunch of lawyers who work for the Justice Department) wrote two memos (in 1973 and 2000) saying you can’t indict a sitting president because it would interfere with their ability to do their job.
This is NOT a law. This is NOT in the Constitution. This is just an OPINION from some lawyers. But everybody treats it like it’s the word of God handed down on stone tablets.
William Barr’s Contribution
- When he was Attorney General, Barr basically said, “Yeah, the president can’t be prosecuted while in office. The remedy is impeachment, not indictment.” Which is CONVENIENT when your party controls the Senate and won’t convict no matter what the president does.
Trump v. United States (2024)
- And then the Supreme Court went and made it WORSE by ruling that presidents have “absolute immunity” for their “core constitutional powers” and “presumptive immunity” for official acts. So basically, if you can argue something was part of your job, you might be immune from prosecution.
Throw your hands up now!
So Is the President Above the Law?
According to some people: YES, apparently.
According to the Constitution: Absolutely not.
According to reality: *Makes that “so-so” hand gesture
Here’s what kills me: Donald Trump was indicted on 91 criminal charges BEFORE he became president again—sexual assault, fraud, trying to overturn an election, stealing classified documents—but as soon as he won? Those cases got paused or dismissed because “you can’t prosecute a sitting president.”
So lemme get this straight: If you commit crimes, just become president and you’re golden? THAT’S the system? That’s what we’re going with?
The founding fathers are spinning in their graves so fast we could power the whole country.
Part V: Are We In a Pre-War Setup? (The History Lesson Nobody Wanted)**
When I Tell You This Feels Familiar…
You asked if we’re in some kind of pre-war setup, and Chile, I wish I could tell you no. But when I look at history—and honey, I’ve STUDIED history—there are some patterns that make me VERY uncomfortable.
Let me show you what I mean:
Red Flags Throughout History:
Germany (1930-1933):
- Economic crisis? ✓ (Hyperinflation, Depression)
- Scapegoating minorities? ✓ (Jews, communists)
- Promises of making the country “great again”? ✓
- Dismantling democratic institutions? ✓
- Emergency powers? ✓
- Outcome: Y’all know how this ended.
Italy (1922-1925):
- Economic crisis? ✓
- Strongman promising to restore order? ✓
- Attacking the free press? ✓
- Scapegoating socialists and liberals? ✓
- March on Rome and basically a coup? ✓
- Outcome: Fascist dictatorship
Hungary Under Orbán (2010-present):
- Economic anxiety? ✓
- Constitutional changes to consolidate power? ✓
- Court packing? ✓
- Attacking immigrants and George Soros? ✓
- Outcome: “Illiberal democracy” (which is just dictatorship with better PR)
Venezuela (1999-present):
- Economic inequality? ✓
- Charismatic leader promising to help the people? ✓
- Attacking the oligarchs? ✓
- Rewriting the constitution? ✓
- Outcome: Economic collapse, people fleeing the country
So Where Are WE?**
Here’s my honest assessment, and y’all know I keep it real:
Warning Signs Present in America Right Now:
Real talk: We’re not in a dictatorship. YET. But we’re on the path, and anybody who says otherwise isn’t paying attention.
Are we in a “pre-war” setup? Depends on what you mean by war:
- Actual military war with another country? Probably not.
- Civil conflict if things keep going this way? *Nervously sips wine*
- Class warfare? Baby, we’ve BEEN there.
Part VI: The “One Big Beautiful Bill” (Or How They Sold Us Out and Called It Freedom)**
What They Just Did to Us
So you asked about the most recent bill Congress passed, and WHEW CHILE, let me tell you about this mess.
On July 4th, 2025 (because of COURSE they did it on Independence Day), Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” And when I tell you this thing is a DISASTER…
Here’s what they did:
Made the Trump tax cuts permanent (which mostly benefit rich folks), while adding new deductions for tipped wages and overtime—which sounds nice until you realize they’re trying to turn us all into tip-based workers to avoid paying real wages.
Cut nearly a TRILLION DOLLARS from Medicaid and SNAP. A TRILLION. That’s healthcare and food assistance for poor folks. But hey, at least billionaires get their tax cuts, right?
Raised the debt limit by $5 TRILLION—you know, the debt they spent years screaming about when Obama was president? Now it’s fine!
The Congressional Budget Office says this will increase our national debt to 124% of GDP. But fiscal responsibility is only important when Democrats are in charge, apparently.
And THEN—while they were busy passing this monstrosity—they let the government shut down on October 1st because they couldn’t pass a basic continuing resolution.
So let me get this straight: They can come together to give tax cuts to rich people and cut food stamps for poor people, but they CAN’T keep the government running?
MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!
Part VII: What Do We Do Now? (A Survival Guide)
Okay Baby, You’ve Scared U.S. Now…. What? Look, I didn’t write this whole thing just to depress you. I wrote it because KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, and we need to know what we’re up against.
Here’s what we need to do:
1 VOTE. In. Every. Single. Election.
I don’t want to hear “my vote doesn’t matter.” Your ancestors died for this right. USE IT.
2. Pay Attention
Read the news. Real news, not just whatever Uncle Frank shares on Facebook. Support actual journalists who are trying to tell the truth.
3. Get Involved Locally
School boards, city councils, state legislatures—this is where the real work happens. Show up to meetings. Make noise.
4. Support Each Other
We’re going to need mutual aid networks, community support, and people who actually care about their neighbors. Be that person.
5. Know Your Rights
The ACLU has resources. Local legal aid societies exist. KNOW WHAT YOUR RIGHTS ARE so you can defend them.
6. Document Everything
Screenshot everything. Save receipts. Keep records. When they try to gaslight us, we need PROOF.
7. Don’t Give Up
I know it’s exhausting. Trust me, I’m TIRED. But giving up is exactly what they want. We don’t get to quit.
8. Take Care of Your Mental Health
You can’t fight if you’re burnt out. Take breaks. Log off Twitter. Drink water. Get therapy if you need it. Put on your own oxygen mask first.
The Bottom Line (Because….Short Attention Spans)
Here’s what I need you to understand:
Democracy is not a spectator sport.** You don’t just get to vote once every four years and call it a day. It requires constant vigilance, participation, and the willingness to say “ABSOLUTELY NOT” when people try to pull this kind of nonsense.
We are not in a dictatorship yet.
But the warning signs are there, flashing like your check engine light, and we need to pay attention.
History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes.
And right now, it’s rhyming with some VERY concerning verses.
Project 2025 is real, it’s detailed, and they’re serious about implementing it.
This isn’t some conspiracy theory—it’s their actual published plan.
The president is not above the law
(even though he’s acting like it), and we need to hold the line on that principle.
Super PACs are legalized corruption, and we need to fix that!
And spending millions on a ballroom while the government is shut down and people are struggling? That’s not just bad optics—it’s potentially illegal, definitely immoral, and absolutely unacceptable.
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Final Thoughts from Your Auntie Bebe
Look, I’m just one middle-aged Black woman with a degree of common sense, a lot of opinions, and access to Google. But I’ve lived long enough to know when something isn’t right. And THIS? This ain’t right and it doesn't make sense! Common or otherwise!!
Our democracy is like that house plant you keep forgetting to water. It needs constant attention, or it’s going to die. And right now, it’s looking mighty crispy.
So here’s what I’m asking you to do: Pay attention. Get involved. Take care of each other. And for the love of all that is holy, VOTE.
Because I didn’t survive everything I’ve survived watching democracy die while people were too busy watching TikTok to notice.
We’re better than this. We HAVE to be better than this.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go pour myself a very large glass of wine and scream into a pillow.
But tomorrow? Tomorrow we get back to work.
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SOURCES & FURTHER READING:
For those of you who want to verify everything I said (and you SHOULD verify—don’t just take my word for it):
- Project 2025: Mandate for Leadership (Heritage Foundation, 2023)
- The Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 1341
- Impoundment Control Act, 2 U.S.C. §§ 681-688
- Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010)
- Trump v. United States, 603 U.S. ___ (2024)
- Congressional Budget Office reports on H.R. 1 (2025)
- Office of Legal Counsel memos on presidential prosecution (1973, 2000)
- “How Democracies Die” by Levitsky & Ziblatt
- “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder
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