This is very good advice and gives me some comfort knowing others are and will be thinking of and acting in ways to combat the shit storm that is coming. We must be loud. We must be clear. We must not waiver.
Let's not forget to pressure Dems to play the long game. Every election cycle when we underperform, there's a chorus flagellating the consultant cognoscenti, but they're vampires, keep coming back.
Let's pressure Dems to proudly defend our values and attack the GOP's. But it can't just be in safe harbors as Blue Sky. We've got to engage Trumpsters, both as citizens and as politicians. Talk to them. Find out what drives them. Civilly engage them. The next candidate I support will be one who's gone into enemy territory.
What drives them is misogyny, racism, ignorance, fear of “the other”, HATE AND LOVE OF VIOLENCE against anyone they disagree with…..the MAGATS do not civilly engage with anyone. They don’t read, or think or listen to anyone but themselves. They deny science and history and education.
I understand your point, but these are not rational thinking people.
By Trumpsters I mean everyone who voted for him. If that's what you think of all his voters, you'll just create more of them. Again, read Strangers in Their Own Land
That’s a bit heavy handed “you’ll create more of them” NO way I’m taking that responsibility on. Just because she laid out some FACTS about interacting with his voters. I read the book you keep advertising. It didn’t change my opinion of MAGA one iota. Better off reading literature on cults
Great advice, Mark. I’ve been reading, listening to music, avoiding the news - except for Substack and The Guardian - and trying to stay positive. I’d love to take my grand doggie for a walk along the Lake Michigan shore, but she’s a 98 pound beastly beauty.
Why is it so difficult to sell a winning message of supportive humanism, fairness, ecological balance, etc, etc, etc? These are values most people understand and agree with at their core. The answer I keep coming back to is money. We live in a competitive world, and most people see the way to get ahead is to push others back. Apply this at a global level, and... Here we are.
It is going to take some truly visionary thinkers and speakers to articulate a way out of our current morass. And a lot of support. I hope the pressure chamber we've created is able to produce such leaders, and that they don't get hammered down by the status quo before they get to shine.
I love your suggestions, and I’m really trying to be hopeful. But if the media abandoned the truth last time what makes us think that they will do anything different now? Especially with the new administration threatening them even more.
excellent, thank you Mark. been watching the consequences of their playing the long game (and us not) for a decade, since I moved to North Carolina just in time for its trifecta takeover of state government. Project Red Map, the right's master plan to gerrymander the living daylights out of every state possible, began here, I think, and we are still fighting an endless battle against an endless series of insanely gerrymandered maps that have huge consequences in the US House, where despite roughly 50/50 politics split, we send 10 GOPs and only 3 Dems to the House every election.
yes, the long game!! we have shown no comprehension of this, let alone embraced it. we're decades behind. this is how they destroyed SCOTUS. we better start now, if we can get our minds around it. but that remains to be seen. only a long-term strategy and the grit to stick to it can eventually begin to turn this mess around.
A number of organizations, particularly through Giving Circles of The States Project, supported Democratic state legislature campaigns and helped to successfully break the Republican supermajority on 11/5/24:
I’m not sure I could stop my boiling anger even if I tried. I will continue to fight and will not condone lies. My senators and US rep will know my name as I will flood their offices with calls, emails, and actual letters in response to whatever nonsense the big orange baby tries to do.
Unfortunately my senators here in South Crackerlina are hopeless pusillanimous sycophants. We’ve got Clyburn as a congressman — but we also have Congresswoman Mace who is a total disgrace. I continue to reach out to my former representatives from my former home in Northern Virginia. Vindman has been great and I have supported him. Kaine and Warner are apparently getting into the fray … Kaine voted to confirm Noem — which really pissed me off.
I hear you. We have 10 mostly maga representatives in nh.47cents on our cell bills to completely fund a suicide prevention bill. Nope!!!! It's a tax.domestic abusers cannot guns!!! Nope!!!! Sinunu wanted domestic abusers to have access to guns!!! Ayotte just as bad.we keep trying.
Very good advice. I’m terrified of the conditions he will impose on the world. I have to try to stop looking to see what he and his minions have just done. So hard isn’t it?
Here's another way: Recognize what you are witnessing.
THIS IS A COUP
Trump has granted Musk access to U.S. government computer systems. Once inside, they grant Trump control over critical information and the ability to start or stop all government payments.
THIS IS A COUP
This scenario is real and is happening. These actions constitute a coup. Granting private individuals, especially those loyal to Trump, rather than the government, access to federal computer systems to control critical information and financial operations bypassing legal and constitutional processes is a modern day coup. These actions undermine democratic governance, and give unchecked power to unelected individuals.
THIS IS A COUP
A coup involves the illegal or forceful seizure of power, often bypassing established legal frameworks. This is exactly what we are seeing.
THIS IS A COUP
Trump and Musk are overrideling governmental controls and centralizing power outside of constitutional authority. Therefore, these actions fit the definition of a coup in our digital age. What is happening, Musk and Trump taking control over U.S. government systems, is as powerful as taking control over military forces.
Marginalized communities MUST come together and support one another. We must form strong, local communities across the United States and leave big tech. We are in this position because of lies spread by conspiracy theorists, racists, bigots and nationalists who weaponize religious freedom to attack innocent communities. You need to divest. Stop giving #meta #airbnb #X #tesla #musk #maga #prime #amazon #uber
Crazy question but I think about this often, especially when reading such articles like Jacob's. I am questing if the dems wanted to lose or is there some bigger plan? OMG am I sounding like a conspiracy believer, no no no, trust me I AM NOT. But so many things that did not get rebuttaled. I often questioned Kamala's TV ads and wondered why she wasn't more discriminating of dt or why her ads did not defend his ads against her. Than there are many, even here, that say the dems missed the mark or fell short. Just my crazy thought process looking to see what you think?
By Trumpsters I mean everyone who voted for him. If that's what you think of all his voters, you'll just create more of them. Again, read Strangers in Their Own Land
Authoritarians hate two things: the truth and being laughed at. Satire delivers both in one punch, and nothing deflates a strongman faster than becoming the butt of the joke. MAGA isn’t a movement; it’s a meme waiting to happen.
Great guidelines for entering the big uncertainty. Start organizing now.
Good list! I would only add to the media list: Don’t soft pedal Treason.
This is very good advice and gives me some comfort knowing others are and will be thinking of and acting in ways to combat the shit storm that is coming. We must be loud. We must be clear. We must not waiver.
Let's not forget to pressure Dems to play the long game. Every election cycle when we underperform, there's a chorus flagellating the consultant cognoscenti, but they're vampires, keep coming back.
Let's pressure Dems to proudly defend our values and attack the GOP's. But it can't just be in safe harbors as Blue Sky. We've got to engage Trumpsters, both as citizens and as politicians. Talk to them. Find out what drives them. Civilly engage them. The next candidate I support will be one who's gone into enemy territory.
And read "Strangers in Their Own Land."
What drives them is misogyny, racism, ignorance, fear of “the other”, HATE AND LOVE OF VIOLENCE against anyone they disagree with…..the MAGATS do not civilly engage with anyone. They don’t read, or think or listen to anyone but themselves. They deny science and history and education.
I understand your point, but these are not rational thinking people.
By Trumpsters I mean everyone who voted for him. If that's what you think of all his voters, you'll just create more of them. Again, read Strangers in Their Own Land
That’s a bit heavy handed “you’ll create more of them” NO way I’m taking that responsibility on. Just because she laid out some FACTS about interacting with his voters. I read the book you keep advertising. It didn’t change my opinion of MAGA one iota. Better off reading literature on cults
Great advice, Mark. I’ve been reading, listening to music, avoiding the news - except for Substack and The Guardian - and trying to stay positive. I’d love to take my grand doggie for a walk along the Lake Michigan shore, but she’s a 98 pound beastly beauty.
Why is it so difficult to sell a winning message of supportive humanism, fairness, ecological balance, etc, etc, etc? These are values most people understand and agree with at their core. The answer I keep coming back to is money. We live in a competitive world, and most people see the way to get ahead is to push others back. Apply this at a global level, and... Here we are.
It is going to take some truly visionary thinkers and speakers to articulate a way out of our current morass. And a lot of support. I hope the pressure chamber we've created is able to produce such leaders, and that they don't get hammered down by the status quo before they get to shine.
I love your suggestions, and I’m really trying to be hopeful. But if the media abandoned the truth last time what makes us think that they will do anything different now? Especially with the new administration threatening them even more.
I hope it doesn’t get too late before we get saved.
No… we got to save ourselves! Fed government Strike! National protests! Take it to the streets! Stand up!
Oh corporate media has gone to the dark side already.
They have only gotten worse. As Dan Froomkin has documented here most are a bunch of mealy-mouthed cowards:
https://criticalread.substack.com/p/searching-for-the-right-words-to
excellent, thank you Mark. been watching the consequences of their playing the long game (and us not) for a decade, since I moved to North Carolina just in time for its trifecta takeover of state government. Project Red Map, the right's master plan to gerrymander the living daylights out of every state possible, began here, I think, and we are still fighting an endless battle against an endless series of insanely gerrymandered maps that have huge consequences in the US House, where despite roughly 50/50 politics split, we send 10 GOPs and only 3 Dems to the House every election.
yes, the long game!! we have shown no comprehension of this, let alone embraced it. we're decades behind. this is how they destroyed SCOTUS. we better start now, if we can get our minds around it. but that remains to be seen. only a long-term strategy and the grit to stick to it can eventually begin to turn this mess around.
A number of organizations, particularly through Giving Circles of The States Project, supported Democratic state legislature campaigns and helped to successfully break the Republican supermajority on 11/5/24:
https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-to-Democracy
I’m not sure I could stop my boiling anger even if I tried. I will continue to fight and will not condone lies. My senators and US rep will know my name as I will flood their offices with calls, emails, and actual letters in response to whatever nonsense the big orange baby tries to do.
Unfortunately my senators here in South Crackerlina are hopeless pusillanimous sycophants. We’ve got Clyburn as a congressman — but we also have Congresswoman Mace who is a total disgrace. I continue to reach out to my former representatives from my former home in Northern Virginia. Vindman has been great and I have supported him. Kaine and Warner are apparently getting into the fray … Kaine voted to confirm Noem — which really pissed me off.
I hear you. We have 10 mostly maga representatives in nh.47cents on our cell bills to completely fund a suicide prevention bill. Nope!!!! It's a tax.domestic abusers cannot guns!!! Nope!!!! Sinunu wanted domestic abusers to have access to guns!!! Ayotte just as bad.we keep trying.
Very good advice. I’m terrified of the conditions he will impose on the world. I have to try to stop looking to see what he and his minions have just done. So hard isn’t it?
Here's another way: Recognize what you are witnessing.
THIS IS A COUP
Trump has granted Musk access to U.S. government computer systems. Once inside, they grant Trump control over critical information and the ability to start or stop all government payments.
THIS IS A COUP
This scenario is real and is happening. These actions constitute a coup. Granting private individuals, especially those loyal to Trump, rather than the government, access to federal computer systems to control critical information and financial operations bypassing legal and constitutional processes is a modern day coup. These actions undermine democratic governance, and give unchecked power to unelected individuals.
THIS IS A COUP
A coup involves the illegal or forceful seizure of power, often bypassing established legal frameworks. This is exactly what we are seeing.
THIS IS A COUP
Trump and Musk are overrideling governmental controls and centralizing power outside of constitutional authority. Therefore, these actions fit the definition of a coup in our digital age. What is happening, Musk and Trump taking control over U.S. government systems, is as powerful as taking control over military forces.
THIS IS A COUP
Marginalized communities MUST come together and support one another. We must form strong, local communities across the United States and leave big tech. We are in this position because of lies spread by conspiracy theorists, racists, bigots and nationalists who weaponize religious freedom to attack innocent communities. You need to divest. Stop giving #meta #airbnb #X #tesla #musk #maga #prime #amazon #uber
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/10/new-apostolic-reformation-christian-nationalism/
Crazy question but I think about this often, especially when reading such articles like Jacob's. I am questing if the dems wanted to lose or is there some bigger plan? OMG am I sounding like a conspiracy believer, no no no, trust me I AM NOT. But so many things that did not get rebuttaled. I often questioned Kamala's TV ads and wondered why she wasn't more discriminating of dt or why her ads did not defend his ads against her. Than there are many, even here, that say the dems missed the mark or fell short. Just my crazy thought process looking to see what you think?
By Trumpsters I mean everyone who voted for him. If that's what you think of all his voters, you'll just create more of them. Again, read Strangers in Their Own Land
Authoritarians hate two things: the truth and being laughed at. Satire delivers both in one punch, and nothing deflates a strongman faster than becoming the butt of the joke. MAGA isn’t a movement; it’s a meme waiting to happen.
Great list! I also won't repeat the doom scrolling patterns of Trump's first term for my own health.
I particularly like the recommendation about acting locally. I included it on my on own list in trying to sort out my feelings about the election:
https://craiglazzeretti.substack.com/p/random-thoughts-on-the-election-what?r=tm6pf