I come across appeals to build a “United Front Against Fascism.” Such appeals are radical sounding at first glance, but on closer inspection are misguided and diversionary. The very practical and political task at this moment is to deepen and broaden the “existing” anti-Trump/Trumpist coalition. Not abstractly, but in the context of the immediate political/legislative, democratic/voting rights struggles and the midterms elections next fall. Of strategic importance in this regard is the building out of support, politically and organizationally, among white workers in the Midwest states.

Biden may have retreated on this or that promise, but the coalition instrumental in electing him – save a few like Reverend Barber and the Poor People’s Campaign – has gone on an extended vacation since the election. Everyone needs a vacation, but in this case the timing couldn’t be worse. Its public, demonstrable presence in the deliberations going on in Washington is urgently needed.

This would be a great opportunity for the new leadership of the AFL-CIO to fill this vacuum of inaction and passivity. 40 years ago, it did when it organized Solidarity Day I and II in the early Reagan years.

I hear Bernie is going to join the striking Kellogg’s workers tomorrow and speak at a rally in downtown Battle Creek at 3pm. I would love to road trip there and join the rally and hear Bernie’s pitch. Probably won’t, but who knows. I was a member of the union decades ago. Anyway, this is a big show down for the union and labor movement. And kudos to Bernie and President Biden for their support.