I refuse to sit and behave. I was planning retirement but when Felon 45+ won, I cancelled those plans. As John Lennon wrote “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” There’s nothing that criminal can do to me that a vengeful ex and MAGA family members haven’t done. “Mom, you’ve always been an activist “ kidded my adult children, “why stop now?”. Amen.
Of course you are right. What can I actually do to make this happen? Write to my representatives, of course. But beyond that, i alone have no power. How do I find how to join with others to actually make a difference? Otherwise it’s just ranting…
Step 1 is to approach our problem with the right mindset. Don't worry about step 99 yet. The first thing you need to do is empower yourself to address the threat we're facing. The way you can be most impactful is through the conversations you have with people in your sphere. Use the argument in my article, say, "I am uncomfortable with revoking birthright citizenship because it feels like punishing an innocent baby for the mistake of the parents." That is a POWERFUL statement. If you plant that seed in one mind, you might find the doubt will grow into an ally in a few months. Also, you will feel better after having those conversations. I've done this before and seen the things I've said start turning up on late night talk shows. Remember what starts as a whisper turns into a roar by the time it gets to the other side of the world. Take heart and do what you can. Every little victory has a cumulative effect on our total momentum!
This anxiety rollercoaster led me to: 1. join my local Indivisible group; 2. make a list of my federal, state, and local representatives w. contact info for easy access, 3. started to study Project 2025 to understand better what is happening; 4. participated in a weekly Indivisible call that includes manageable actions like contacting my representatives on current issues. Ten days into this travesty, I feel more in control and productive (even though I felt largely powerless and discouraged throughout the last 10 days). My privilege is that I am retired and have the time to do this. I also pruned 10 rose bushes for balance and got enough rest.
I just posted you to Facebook. I detest Zuck but it’s the best place to post to get to the most people. I’ll try to post on BlueSky too. Your column today was a wake up call. Thank you so much! Keep ‘em coming
You are 100% right about this. we need to repeat the simple truth over and over again until it becomes … truth. And we need to boycott the billionaires.
Meanwhile the Dems in Congress need to be SHOVED to the picket lines.
One cannot diminish the small actions' impact in the long run ... Especially when that's all what one can really do :-). More importantly, make sure to get out of your social circles and talk to people different from your usual peers (if you can do so safely, my white peeps, man especially, I'm looking at us here)!
Action speaks louder than words take action and attack don’t beat around the bush tell people that we have traitors in office authoritarians have taken over our government. Hello can’t everybody see this and if you do and you like it you’re a traitor to.
I refuse to sit and behave. I was planning retirement but when Felon 45+ won, I cancelled those plans. As John Lennon wrote “life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” There’s nothing that criminal can do to me that a vengeful ex and MAGA family members haven’t done. “Mom, you’ve always been an activist “ kidded my adult children, “why stop now?”. Amen.
Of course you are right. What can I actually do to make this happen? Write to my representatives, of course. But beyond that, i alone have no power. How do I find how to join with others to actually make a difference? Otherwise it’s just ranting…
Step 1 is to approach our problem with the right mindset. Don't worry about step 99 yet. The first thing you need to do is empower yourself to address the threat we're facing. The way you can be most impactful is through the conversations you have with people in your sphere. Use the argument in my article, say, "I am uncomfortable with revoking birthright citizenship because it feels like punishing an innocent baby for the mistake of the parents." That is a POWERFUL statement. If you plant that seed in one mind, you might find the doubt will grow into an ally in a few months. Also, you will feel better after having those conversations. I've done this before and seen the things I've said start turning up on late night talk shows. Remember what starts as a whisper turns into a roar by the time it gets to the other side of the world. Take heart and do what you can. Every little victory has a cumulative effect on our total momentum!
Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes the small steps feel a bit futile. But doing nothing is not an option.
This anxiety rollercoaster led me to: 1. join my local Indivisible group; 2. make a list of my federal, state, and local representatives w. contact info for easy access, 3. started to study Project 2025 to understand better what is happening; 4. participated in a weekly Indivisible call that includes manageable actions like contacting my representatives on current issues. Ten days into this travesty, I feel more in control and productive (even though I felt largely powerless and discouraged throughout the last 10 days). My privilege is that I am retired and have the time to do this. I also pruned 10 rose bushes for balance and got enough rest.
Hell yes!!!
It lightens my heart to read these positive responses. Adopt the new viewpoint, and our voice becomes louder and more powerful.
I just posted you to Facebook. I detest Zuck but it’s the best place to post to get to the most people. I’ll try to post on BlueSky too. Your column today was a wake up call. Thank you so much! Keep ‘em coming
You are 100% right about this. we need to repeat the simple truth over and over again until it becomes … truth. And we need to boycott the billionaires.
Meanwhile the Dems in Congress need to be SHOVED to the picket lines.
All they have to do is speak. There are so many things they could say, and if they spoke they'd generate support!
Yes! Yes! Yes!!!!
Thank you Pat!
One cannot diminish the small actions' impact in the long run ... Especially when that's all what one can really do :-). More importantly, make sure to get out of your social circles and talk to people different from your usual peers (if you can do so safely, my white peeps, man especially, I'm looking at us here)!
Absolutely! Thanks Luc!
Thank you. You are so right.
That warrior mentality feels so much better. The helplessness goes right away.
Action speaks louder than words take action and attack don’t beat around the bush tell people that we have traitors in office authoritarians have taken over our government. Hello can’t everybody see this and if you do and you like it you’re a traitor to.
Republicans have to fix this mess. There aren't enough democrats in elected office to do it on their own.