New York Greenlights Quarantine Camps

posted by Bobbie Anne Flower Cox at American Thinker 

Though somewhat hard to imagine in 2025 with COVID-mania in our rearview mirrors, the truth of the matter is that the highest court in New York, the Court of Appeals, has unbelievably opened the door for quarantine camps to become a reality. I have fought the governor in court for the past three years to prevent quarantine camps from taking hold, and I was successful to some extent (the Department of Health cannot currently throw you into a quarantine facility), but ultimately the State has been given the green light by our courts. A unimaginable travesty of justice!

When COVID-19 hit back in March of 2020, the NYS Legislature (illegally, I might add) gave then-governor Andrew Cuomo the power to make “directives” (read “laws”). Continuing with the illegal trend, Cuomo then passed that power on to the Department of Health (DoH). The DoH then created the “Isolation and Quarantine Procedures” regulation, which the public rightly dubbed the “Quarantine Camp” reg. The regulation was not a law, as it did not come from the NYS Legislature. Instead, it was a reg written by unelected bureaucrats who answer to nobody but the bureaucrat or politician who hired them. The reg actually conflicted with our long-standing (full-of-due-process-protections) quarantine law that was passed by the Legislature in 1953. Regs cannot conflict with laws! That is a violent breach of Separation of Powers, which is the cornerstone of our free society.

Details on the atrocities of this reg canbe found in a previous article. But in sum, the Quarantine Camp regulation gave the unelecteds in the DoH the power to pick and choose which New Yorkers they could lock up or lock down, indefinitely, and at any location of their choosing -- you had no say. They could have locked you down in your home, or they could have removed you from your home, with the force of police, and stuck you in a quarantine facility for days, weeks, months, etc. No notice was required, so they could have knocked on your door during family dinner and removed you from your home without any warning whatsoever. You did not have the right to an attorney until after you were locked up or locked down. There was no age restriction, so they could have done this to you, or your child, or grandchild, or elderly parent… And the most shocking part of this reg was that they did not even have to prove you were sick! Guilty until proven innocent -- the very antithesis of the principle upon which our nation’s judicial system is based.

So, when I became aware of this dystopian nightmare of a reg a few years ago, after realizing that none of the so-called traditional “civil rights” organizations would touch it, I sued Governor Kathy Hochul and her DoH on behalf of a group of NYS Legislators and a citizens’ group, Uniting NYS.

After months of battling it out in the trial court, on July 8, 2022, the court ruledthat the “Isolation and Quarantine Procedures” regulation was unconstitutional and “violative of New York State law as promulgated and enacted, and therefore null, void and unenforceable as a matter of law.” The judge also made note that, “[i]nvoluntary detention is a severe deprivation of individual liberty, far more egregious than other health safety measures, such as requiring mask wearing at certain venues. Involuntary quarantine may have far-reaching consequences such as loss of income (or employment) and isolation from family.”

Stunningly, Governor Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James appealed the decision. Yes, that’s right… the governor and AG, both unabashedly support insanely unconstitutional quarantine camps!

On September 13, 2023, over 400 showed up at the appellate courthouse to witness the battle first hand. It was indeed historic -- never do people take a day off of work, flock by the hundreds, and cram into a courthouse to hear a couple of lawyers go at it in a courtroom devoid of witnesses, TV cameras, and all of the other pomp and circumstance that, for example, a high-profile criminal trial might have. It was a true testament to freedom-loving citizens of a state that is wrought with corruption and greedy politicians on both sides of the aisle.

In November 2023, the panel of five appointed judges disgracefully reversed my trial court victory, and then dismissed the case! They dismissed, not because we were wrong in our arguments… No, instead the court copped out and used an age-old dodge, ruling that my plaintiffs lack standing! With the majority of my plaintiffs being NYS legislators, it was absurd for the court to claim these lawmakers had no standing to fight against a regulation that usurped their lawmaking power.

The decision not only lacked logic, it lacked integrity, and it flew in the face of longstanding, binding case law from our highest court.

Not wanting to back down, in January 2024, I filed my appeal with the Court of Appeals which is our highest State court. In May, that Court denied my appeal, saying there was no automatic right to be heard because the case, get this, had no constitutional issues. Unbelievable! A lawsuit about a regulation that breaches Separation of Powers and violates our Constitution doesn’t have a constitutional issue in question? Another terrible decision.

My last hope was to file another motion with the Court, this time asking them to hear the case on their own volition, you know, because it’s good for humanity and the integrity of this Court not to allow an agency to override our laws and throw people into camps without due process, etc. Sounds rather noble, doesn’t it? Well, not to an unnoble court, for a few weeks ago they issued their decision… The Court refused to hear the appeal. Period. Case closed.

Unreal.

And so, my three-year-long battle against the elitist Governor of New York (whose approval rating now hovers around 30%) and her lawless Department of Health, is over. The silver lining is that my victory of eliminating their heinous “Isolation and Quarantine Procedures” reg back in 2022 still stands today, despite the appellate court’s ruling. Here’s why: The reg was an “emergency” reg that the DoH was working to make permanent. Since I successfully got it struck down before they could make it a permanent reg, the regulation does not exist today. Amen.

However, thanks to the Court of Appeals allowing the appellate court’s decision to stand, the DoH is now free to reissue their dystopian reg. “Fire at will,” is what these courts have metaphorically told the Administrative State. There is nothing stopping the tyranny of the Executive Branch and its unconstitutional DoH now.

And we Know, On the Fringe, and more- March 30

 

A MAGA Siege of the Democrats’ Deep State

posted by J.B. Shurk at American Thinker 

There is now a great MAGA siege of the fortified Deep State. Based on the horrified reactions coming from the news media cartel, it would seem that President Trump has taken the whole rotten Establishment by surprise.  

To be sure, the commander in chief did not hide his battle plans for conquering America’s out-of-control bureaucracy.  Between mandatory court appearances over the last two years (during which Trump patiently withstood Democrat lawfare from all directions), the president dedicated large portions of his campaign rally speeches to outlining how he would starve and dismember the most offending parts of the federal government.

Democrats and their Deep State friends surely heard his message.  After all, lawfare mercenaries were working hard to send Trump to prison for decades, and federal law enforcement agencies appeared curiously uninterested in either preventing or investigating attempts on Trump’s life.  Still, after prosecuting him for imaginary crimes, slamming him with ridiculous civil lawsuits, and rhetorically inciting would-be assassins to remove him from the 2024 race, Democrats are today shocked that Trump is fighting back against his enemies.  

For a political party obsessed with denouncing the perceived “privilege” of groups at the bottom of the “woke” hierarchy, Democrats never recognize their own.  They assumed that they could wage a war of attrition against President Trump without any blowback.  They assumed that they could abuse the criminal justice system to target political adversaries without ending up in the dock themselves.  They assumed that their agents inside the federal bureaucracy could sabotage a duly elected president without suffering any consequences.  They were wrong.

While watching Dementia Joe stumble off into the sunset, traitorous Democrats and their presstitute friends felt pretty secure inside the Deep State castle.  They detested how President Trump routed their lawfare legions on his way to a resounding re-election victory, but they had been on this battlefield before.  Last time around, they managed to sink Trump’s national security adviser, General Michael Flynn, in three weeks.  The FBI and DOJ parlayed Hillary Clinton’s fake Russia collusion dossier into a baseless criminal investigation that drained two years from Trump’s first term.  One of the egg-shaped Tweedle-Vindmans successfully conspired with other national security turncoats to turn Joe Biden’s Ukraine corruption into a nonsensical Trump impeachment.  And the corporate news cartel pumped out a dizzying spectacle of ludicrous lies — including the absurd allegation that President Trump has long been a Russian spy.  For that ridiculous bit of Democrat fan fiction, the most prestigious propagandists even won the Pulitzer Prize!

Why should Democrats have expected Donald Trump’s second term to be at all different?  After all, over 90% of federal bureaucrats vote Democrat — even when the Democrat up for election has lost his wits and pervertedly sniffs women and children.  Over 90% of mainstream news prevaricators vote Democrat — even when the Democrat party openly calls for government “fact-checkers” to censor the press.  Over 90% of university professors vote Democrat — even when the Democrat party imposes “politically correct” speech codes, punishes merit, criminalizes dissent, and rewards mindless groupthink.  When the bureaucracy, press, and academia are wholly owned subsidiaries of the Democrat party, why would Deep State Democrats worry about Donald Trump’s return?  He’s just one man sitting atop a mountain of Democrats eager to stab him in the back (figuratively, yes, and perhaps even literally).

In the space of two short months, however, everyone now understands that Trump’s second term will be fundamentally different.  In 2017, he arrived in Washington looking to cut deals and build bureaucratic consensus.  In 2025, he understands that compromises can’t be struck with liars, saboteurs, and thieves.  One either crushes the Deep State or is crushed by it.  The president has chosen to become crusher-in-chief.

I would have enjoyed being a fly on one of the Deep State castle’s walls when it became clear that Donald Trump was surrounding and preparing to lay siege to its various estates.  

What do you mean he’s suing fake news reporters for slander?  He can’t do that!  How will we force-feed lies to the public?  

He’s withholding federal funds from universities that allow Islamic supremacists to terrorize Jewish students and brawny men to beat up women in sports?  But that’s Islamophobic and “trans”-phobic!  The “Science” is settled!  Islamic violence is free speech, and biological sex is just a social construct!  

He’s removing security clearances for leftist law firms that work to undermine elections and misuse federal surveillance systems to spy on political opponents?  That’s not fair — lawfare is our favorite weapon!  We can’t win without rigged elections!

What’s the MAGA despot going to do next — start firing federal workers and exposing how we use taxpayer dollars to fill our own personal piggy banks?  Stop, don’t tell me!  I don’t want to know!  I can’t take it anymore!

For a siege to be effective, an enemy must be cut off from necessary supplies.  On a battlefield, the most crucial supplies are food and water.  In the political sphere, survival depends upon a continuous flow of taxpayer dollars.  You close an agency’s access to its bank accounts, and you starve the bureaucratic beast!  If you shut down its internal email system, you block those bureaucrats from communicating quickly with outside allies.  If you send in a detachment of DOGE soldiers to bust up an agency’s organizational structure, then the bureaucratic group under siege finds it particularly difficult to arrange defenses and resist the onslaught.  Hunger (for taxpayer dollars) and wariness (over when DOGE might attack next) can drive a bureaucrat under siege to the brink of insanity!

Last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to reports that the fired head of an agency called the United States Institute of Peace barricaded himself in USIP’s office building and organized a rebellion against DOGE employees attempting to gain entry.  

A reporter for The Daily Wire asked Leavitt whether it was true that USIP’s “old president refused to leave after he was removed from his position ... barricaded himself in his offices, had to be escorted out by police, left the building without WiFi, telephones, elevators, and more.”  In confirming the story, Leavitt noted that USIP employees even “distributed flyers internally encouraging each other to basically prevent” DOGE personnel “from accessing the building.”  She described it as another instance of “resistance from the bureaucrats who don’t want to see change in this city.”  

It sounds like a scene straight out of Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove: the president of the Institute of Peace waged war to save his job!  Bureaucratic sieges definitely break people (or as Mitt Romney might say, bureaucracies are people, too!).  Alas, the Deep State brought this craziness on itself.

It’s true that the usual gaggle of Democrat partisans posing as federal judges continue to issue temporary restraining orders and injunctions wherever they possibly can.  But let’s be honest — those judicially enforced ceasefires can’t save the Deep State’s castle walls.  President Trump is firing too many artillery shells at the bureaucracy for black-robed charlatans to save the Democrats.  

Every day, Elon Musk and DOGE expose another money-laundering scheme that exists to transfer taxpayer dollars into Democrat-run organizations.  As The New York Times admits, “Mr. Trump and his allies are aggressively attacking the players and machinery that power the left, taking a series of highly partisan official actions that ... threaten to hobble Democrats’ ability to compete in elections for years to come.”

President Trump is giving Deep State Democrats a lesson in bureaucratic “shock and awe.”  He ended USAID’s censorship scheme.  He highlighted the crimes of leftist NGOs.  He is demolishing the Department of Education.  He is defunding Planned Parenthood.  Now he’s set his sights on NPR and PBS.  The ongoing bombardment during this MAGA siege is so unrelenting that soon Democrats will have nothing left to eat...except one another.

🎭 𝐖𝟑𝐏 𝓓𝓐𝓘𝓛𝓨 𝓗𝓾𝓶𝓸𝓻, 𝓜𝓾𝓼𝓲𝓬, 𝓐𝓻𝓽, 𝓞𝓟𝓔𝓝 𝓣𝓗𝓡𝓔𝓐𝓓

 

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Meet The 4,000-Year-Old Olive Tree That Saw The Rise And Fall Of Alexander The Great’s Empire—A Biologist Explains

 

Deep in the heart of Crete, where myth intertwines with natural wonder, stands the legendary olive tree of Vouves. For millennia, this 2,000-year-old ancient sentinel has silently witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, outlasting even some of Greece’s most famous historical figures.

Olive trees have long been revered not only for their fruit and oil but also for the resilience encoded in their DNA. These trees symbolize endurance, wisdom and continuity. In a landscape where nature’s secrets are often obscured by time, the olive tree of Vouves reminds us that life can sometimes persist against all odds.

Its storied past offers a rare glimpse into evolutionary processes that allow living organisms to thrive for thousands of years. Its gnarled trunk and sprawling branches are living testaments to a lineage that defies time and the biological marvel behind this near-immortal lifespan has captivated scientists, historians and nature enthusiasts alike.  

The Olive Tree Of Vouves Is A Living Relic Of History

The olive tree of Vouves is one of the oldest living olive trees in the world, with estimates ranging from 2,000 to as many as 4,000 years old. If at the upper end of these estimates, it may predate historical figures like Alexander the Great and Pythagoras.  

Unlike many younger trees, this tree exhibits extraordinary adaptations. Its robust, weathered trunk and complex network of roots have enabled it to endure periods of drought, climatic shifts, fires and human encroachment while still producing fruit.  

The tree’s structure reflects both genetic inheritance and influences of the tumultuous environment where it has thrived, making it a unique subject of study for botanists and biologists interested in longevity and adaptation in long-lived species.  

Beyond its botanical marvels, the olive tree of Vouves, which is also older than the Parthenon, is a cultural symbol woven into the tapestry of Greek heritage. Archaeologists and historians have unearthed ancient myths and legends that speak of olive trees as sacred spaces, inspiring countless studies and debates on the true age and significance of Vouves. 

The Secrets Behind The Vouves' Longevity

Olive trees like the Vouves exhibit a fascinating phenomenon known as vegetative or clonal reproduction. At the heart of this process lies the "root mother"—an underground network that not only stabilizes the tree but also enables it to sprout new growth long after the above-ground structure has aged.

This regenerative ability acts as a biological time capsule, allowing olive trees to survive environmental stresses that would otherwise be fatal to less adaptable species. Regardless of whether the tree is burnt down, axed, or damaged, the root mother will continue to send up new shoots. 

Through the centuries, the olive tree of Vouves has harnessed the power of this genetic blueprint to produce genetically identical offshoots. This form of clonal propagation is one of nature’s most effective strategies for ensuring survival in a changing climate.

On a cellular level, olive trees deploy unique biochemical pathways that repair damaged tissues and fend off pathogens. These mechanisms involve antioxidants and stress-response proteins that maintain cellular integrity over centuries.

Furthermore, the oil from these trees isn’t just good for humans, it’s also great for the trees themselves. It has antimicrobial and antifungal properties that protect the tree and contribute to its biological “immortality.”  

Olive Trees Are As Versatile As They Come

Olive trees are not merely ancient relics, they are vital to the environment and also aid in human well-being. The olives they bear are rich in polyphenols, vitamins and healthy fats. Extensive research has shown that these compounds contribute to cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation and even exhibit potential anticancer properties.

Olive oil production remains a vital industry, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and the livelihoods of communities across southern Europe and beyond. 

The transformation of olives into olive oil has played a significant role in Mediterranean economies and culinary traditions, particularly since ancient times, with large-scale cultivation emerging in modern history. 

Beyond culinary applications, olive oil has been traditionally used in cosmetics, medicine and even religious rituals. Its role in ancient ceremonies and modern kitchens alike underscores the olive tree’s deep-seated cultural and practical importance.  

The groves in which these trees are grown are also integral to the Mediterranean landscape, supporting biodiversity and local economies. They help prevent soil erosion, promote water retention and serve as habitats for a variety of species, serving as a reminder that their impact reaches far beyond the confines of botanical studies. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2025/03/23/meet-the-4000-year-old-olive-tree-that-saw-the-rise-and-fall-of-alexander-the-greats-empire-a-biologist-explains/

Elon Musk Reveals His Two Deepest Worries About Why 'Humanity Is Dying'

Bob Hoge reporting for RedState 

Elon Musk has a lot to worry about. He has 13 children. He is the CEO and founder of numerous companies, most famously of course SpaceX and Tesla. He just helped rescue two astronauts from the International Space Station.

Meanwhile he’s head honcho at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and is in charge of trimming the fat and fraud from the bloated, behemoth federal government.

Whoa. That’s a lot. Even with all that to think about, however, Musk has two worries above all others, and the first one is the declining global birth rate:

"Well, there's a lot of things that I suppose that I worry about. And some of these things will seem esoteric to people. The birth rate is very low in almost every country, and unless that changes, civilization will disappear," Musk said in part two of his [Fox News] "Special Report" exclusive interview Friday.

Musk pointed to declining birth rates in the U.S. and Korea, warning that "nothing seems to be turning that around. Humanity is dying."

America’s birth rate hit an all-time low in 2023:

The nation’s fertility rate has declined since 1957, when there were 122.9 births per 1,000 women ages 15–44. Data for 2023 puts the current fertility rate at less than half the 1957 rate, 54.5.

But that’s not the only concern that keeps Musk up at night; he also worries that if America collapses, the whole of human society will probably follow suit:

After dishing out details about DOGE's cost-cutting mission, [host Bret] Baier took a more personal turn in his one-on-one with Musk Friday. In addition to his concern about declining birthrates, the Tesla founder also explained his worries for America's future.

"I worry generally about the strength of America. America is the central column that holds up all of Western civilization... If that column fails, it's all over. You can't run off to New Zealand or some other place. It's over. So either we strengthen that column and make sure America is strong, and we'll be strong for a long time, or that roof's coming down," he told Baier.

Musk and others have long warned that America’s $36 trillion debt could eventually cause our country to go bankrupt, with obvious seismic—catastrophic—results across the globe.

Watch:

The world’s richest man said he remains optimistic about "the potential for a great future as long as America remains the land of freedom and opportunity," and he praised Donald Trump as the president we need to make sure that happens.

Musk is certainly an incredibly smart man, so when he speaks, I listen. I would argue that we won’t even need to worry about the birth rate if America collapses, but both of the problems he talks about are extremely serious. We need less fraud, deceit, and waste in our government—and more babies here at home.

The Happiness Hoax: Are Nordic Nations Really Better Off Than America?

The Happiness Hoax:

Are Nordic Nations Really Better Off Than America?

Happiness isn’t a spreadsheet formula that can be reduced to income levels and government trust scores.

by JOHN MAC GHLIONN for American Spectator

Every year, the World Happiness Report releases its rankings. The report seemingly provides a clear, numerical snapshot of where the happiest people live. Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden, these same countries consistently rise to the top, year after year, with very little variation. In contrast, the United States continues to drop in the rankings. 

As expected, the gullible media jumps on the results, hailing the Fantastic Four as shining examples of happiness. These countries, we’re assured, demonstrate that social democracy is the best and only way forward. If only other nations, like the U.S., would embrace similar practices, their citizens would be better off. More smiles, more joy, more harmony.

It sounds good — almost too good to be true. That’s because it is.

With the latest report just released, it’s time to ask several important questions — questions that should have been raised long ago. For example, what if the rankings rest on shaky foundations? What if the term “happiness,” as defined in the report, has little correlation to genuine human well-being? Third, what if these metrics not only miss the point but also actively reward stagnation over ambition and mediocrity over meaning? 

Consider Finland, supposedly the happiest place on Earth — for eight consecutive years. A utopia, we’re told. Yet Finland also has one of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in Europe. One in three Finnish women has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Domestic abuse shelters struggle to meet demand. If life is so fulfilling, so comfortable, so secure, one wonders why so many women live in fear.

Or take Denmark, a country that consistently ranks among the top three. While it’s a place filled with cozy cafés, high trust in government, and generous social benefits, the use of antidepressants is alarmingly high. An increasing number of Danes take medication for depression or anxiety.

Similarly, in Iceland, another Nordic “paradise,” rates of depression and substance abuse have been rising for years.

As for Sweden, suicide rates remain very high. In a nation of just 10 million, 1,200 people die by suicide each year — a figure that, when adjusted for population, is nearly on par with the annual suicide toll in the U.S. Once known for ABBA and Ikea, Sweden is now more commonly associated with assaults and 

In cities like Malmö and Stockholm, gang violence rages, with car bombings and shootings becoming disturbingly routine. Even businesses are being bombed. Meanwhile, Sweden and its Nordic neighbors boast some of the highest divorce rates in Europe. For a region famous for happiness, things appear a little, shall we say, bleak. 

This brings us back to the World Happiness Report, which is problematic for many reasons. First off, it relies on self-reported surveys. People rank their lives on a scale from 1 to 10, alongside factors like GDP per capita, social support, life expectancy, and perceived corruption. The assumption is simple: higher numbers mean a happier population. But, as we all know, happiness isn’t a spreadsheet formula. It can’t be reduced to income levels or government trust scores.

Furthermore, as someone who has spent a considerable amount of time in this specific part of the world, I’ve noticed that Nordic societies place a strong cultural emphasis on contentment. Admitting dissatisfaction can feel like going against the grain, like an act of ingratitude. When you live in a country consistently ranked as one of the best places on Earth, aren’t you supposed to be happy? The pressure to conform, to say you’re satisfied even if you’re not, is enormous.

The opposite dynamic plays out in America, which just hit a record low in this year’s rankings, dropping to 24th place. The headlines are grim: The decline of the middle class, political division, widespread loneliness, and a growing sense of despair. However, it’s crucial to note that America remains the most dynamic, inventive, and culturally influential nation of all time. A land of ambition, reinvention, and rebellion; it’s a place where millions chase meaning, not just comfort. 

Maybe that’s the real flaw in these rankings. They confuse comfort with happiness. A well-functioning welfare state can eliminate many of life’s stresses, but it can’t make life meaningful. It can’t inspire. It can’t provide a sense of accomplishment or adventure. Of course, this is not to say that people in Nordic nations aren’t adventurous or haven’t accomplished anything of merit. Rather, the report fails to capture the broader picture, and by doing so, it presents a misleading one.

There’s a reason why so many of the greatest artists, thinkers, and innovators don’t come from the “happiest” places on Earth. A lack of hardship can lead to a lack of risk. A lack of struggle may lead to a lack of fire in the belly (or none whatsoever). 

Conversely, countries with more uncertainty, more struggle — places that rank lower on these lists — often produce the most passionate, driven, and creative people. The U.S. may be slipping in the rankings, but it remains the place where people fight to build, create, and dream. Nordic countries may have mastered the art of reducing hardship, but does that mean they’ve mastered happiness? Comfort provides stability, but it doesn’t provide meaning. 

Happiness can’t be measured like GDP. It’s not a number. It’s not a survey answer. It’s not something that can be handed out by the government, like a social benefit. It’s something deeper, harder, and far more complex. And it certainly isn’t found in a report that treats human fulfillment as if it were a 5th-grade math problem.

The New York Times Just Leveled the Democrat Party and it Was Well-Deserved

Jeff Charles reporting for Townhall 

The New York Times editorial board published an op-ed in which it issued a sound drubbing to the Democratic Party. The piece details the mistakes Democrats made before and after the 2024 presidential election and gives several recommendations on how the party can rebound after its devastating defeat last year.

The criticism was well deserved. But will the party’s leadership listen?

The piece begins by highlighting how badly the Democrats lost in the latest election and points out how the party doesn’t seem to be learning its lesson.

Despite narrowly losing the 2024 presidential election, Democrats experienced widespread setbacks, losing control of the Senate, failing to reclaim the House, and winning fewer than half of the governor and state legislature races. However, instead of introspection, many party leaders have settled on external explanations, blaming issues such as inflation and voter turnout. Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, captured this sentiment, saying, “We’ve got the right message… What we need to do is connect it back with the voters.” Similarly, Gov. Tim Walz, the party’s vice-presidential nominee, dismissed attempts to court Trump voters, stating, “I don’t think we’re going to win over those 77 million that voted for Donald Trump… I’m concerned with the 90 million who stayed home.”

The editorial board notes that the Democrats’ excuses ignore a myriad of deep-seated problems with the party’s policies and political strategy. It points out how voters did not trust Democrats to handle issues such as immigration, crime, government spending, foreign policy, and several others.

The authors point to the party’s bleak approval ratings, noting that only “27 percent of Americans now have a favorable view of the Democratic Party,” their lowest ratings in decades. Even worse for Democrats, the party is “now at a point where the more people vote, the better Republicans do,” according to data scientist David Shor.

Public approval has sharply declined, with polling revealing that only “27 percent of Americans now have a favorable view of the Democratic Party,” marking their lowest popularity in decades. Further undermining Democrats’ voter-turnout argument, data scientist David Shor starkly summarized the situation, noting, “We’re now at a point where the more people vote, the better Republicans do.”

It is clear that the Democratic Party is in quite a pickle. The authors highlight the left’s hyperfocus on identity politics, arguing that it turned off a wide swath of voters.

Even today, the party remains too focused on personal identity and on Americans’ differences — by race, gender, sexuality and religion — rather than our shared values. On these issues, progressives sometimes adopt a scolding, censorious posture. It is worth emphasizing that this posture has alienated growing numbers of Asian, Black and Latino voters. Democrats who won last year in places where Mr. Trump also won, such as Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan, adopted a more moderate tone. They were hawkish about border security and law enforcement, criticizing their own party. They did not make the common Democratic mistake of trying to talk about only economic policy and refusing to engage with Americans’ concerns on difficult social issues.

The word “sometimes” is doing a lot of work here. Saying that progressives “sometimes adopt a scolding, censorious posture”  is like claiming the Grand Canyon as a pothole. Progressives love scolding Americans about how bigoted we are. It is a key component of their political strategy and has been for years – and it didn’t do the party any favors in 2024.

To remedy the problem, the editorial board suggests the party engage in some self-reflection. Democrats should acknowledge how they mishandled former President Joe Biden’s obvious cognitive problems, embrace more moderate policy ideas instead of going full-blown socialist, and come up with bold, new ideas for bettering the lives of Americans.

The suggestions are apt. In fact, some Democrats have admitted that trying to gaslight the public into believing Biden was as spry as a spring chicken was about as effective as attempting to breathe underwater.

Still, asking the party to moderate its policy ideas might be seven bridges too far. Former Vice President Kamala Harris veered away from her more socialist policy stances during the 2024 campaign, as the authors acknowledge. But she never took the time to explain why she changed her mind in the first place, which sent the message that she hadn’t actually abandoned these ideas.

On top of this, the progressive wing of the party seeks to take center stage on the left. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) are on a “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, trying to galvanize support for far-leftist policies. It does not seem that the moderate faction has an answer for this yet.

The party seems hellbent on not learning from its losses last year. They are still doing the usual “America is bigoted” talking points while shrieking “Orange Man Bad” every time they get in front of a camera. Right now, this is where the party is stuck. At some point, they might wise up, but the question is: When?

Meanwhile, the GOP is flexing its power now that it controls the White House and both chambers of Congress. They had better make the most of it before the Democrats finally get it together.