The current wave of fascism is sponsored by capital. Liberal politicians protect capital, divert attention towards fringe issues (see abundance movement, which is basically the blue “it’s the government’s fault” political philosophy), oppose any meaningful change that would actually stabilize things (like heck even social democratic policies like medicare for all, limiting political donations or taxation of the rich are too extreme) and play respectability politics (any substantial criticism of the status quo is too harsh, both-sides-ism, catering to the mythical moderate) excluding the left (can’t nominate Bernie, can’t endorse Zohran Mamdani, AOC too radical, can’t call out a genocide) while caving to the right on immigration, trans rights, reproductive rights etc.

They’d rather have full on fascism than put their foot down because temporary instability would hurt the stock market (see Shumer enabling the republican spending bill TWICE). They are completely beholden to their donors who are very much not average citizens but part of the owning class.

Sure, the democratic party isn’t a monolith but it’s leadership is controlled opposition. They’ve always had these, let’s call them “republican sleeper agents”, in key positions to step in and prevent the party from shifting left so the way the party has been acting should not be seen as an unfortunate anomaly but as willfull cooperation at this point. Shumer is not there by mistake. AIPAC Shakur is not there by mistake. They are not inept or incompetent, they are just effectively playing for the other team - whatever their rationalizations for their behaviour may be.