Thank you for this. I’ve been looking for guidance on action steps. You provided me this today. I followed your links and emailed all three of my local political leaders
I have no complaint about people who prefer fascist dictatorships. They should move to a country that has one. N Korea would be perfect. Russia would be great. Right now would be an excellent time to move a short distance to Venezuela.
As for executing women who get abortions, so much for the "pro-life" claim. But as for the hunger for executing people, there are some Middle East countries where they'd live very contentedly.
I do know democracy can be a mess. All those other people with contrasting views, and who have to be taken into account? No, this is not the right country for people who like things clear, predictable, and reliable. Harsh and unfeeling is a perfectly reasonable price to pay for tidiness.
Great article, but reading through the comments as someone outside of America and learning how the “elected officials” have total disdain and refuse to engage with the people they are supposed to be representing, I don’t think solutions will come from waiting for Democrats to step up. They have shown themselves to be completely complicit. It’s a hard truth to swallow, but the quicker people realize it, the quicker people can focus on other strategies.
And time is not on your side! I believe democrats are not fanning the flames of resistance because they serve the same corporate powers. Trump convinced many voters he would improve their personal economic situation but it is becoming clear that he is working for the oligarchs. This is the opportunity you need to seize now.
Put aside the childish dem vs rep battle cries. The powerful are united under one banner of greed, now the people need to unite under one banner. They use culture wars to distract while they destroy everything. Cost of living crisis is the way to connect on both sides.
In Greece during their economic crisis, activists set up soup kitchens and wide variety of mutual aid groups that provided material support and ALSO educated recipients on how disaster capitalism and bankers were intent on destroying their livelihoods for their own enrichment. They helped deflect the anger up at the powerful instead of down at the refugees - which is what every authoritarian government does- directing hate and blame at the weak to hide the actions of the rich. Similar community education classes exposing the real intentions of Elon Et al could turn Maga hate in a more proactive direction…. Someone should make a simple class lesson on the predatory capitalism of American oligarchs to share with the people. Worth a try!! Good luck!!!
In truth, I am scared out of my mind for what the next few years are going to look like and I’ve been looking to get more involved. Some great suggestions here.
Thanks for everything you do. Sincerely, you are a hero.
My senators and congressman won't email me back. I've been emailing multiple times a day for weeks. Only canned replies. They don't address any of my concerns or any questions I'm asking.
I just emailed Chuck Schumer and demanded that he resign. I also called my congressblob, Joe Morelle, and left 2 voicemails asking when he will introduce articles of impeachment against Trump.. I suggest everyone call their representatives and do the same. And keep on doing it.
We all do that. The electeds don't, as the French say, give a shit. And no, they're not in any way going to resign because the voters are dissatisfied with them. Their sole purpose in life is to spend their careers sucking off the government tit.
What do you suppose the GOP would do to Biden if he were the one whose reckless bullshit caused that air collision that killed 62 people? What we need to do is tell our Congressblobs to stop the mealymouthed pronouncements and finger wagging, and start getting their shit together to impeach Trump. That's the priority at this moment.
I'm finally beginning to seriously consider leaving the Democratic party. I'm tired of the weak, do-nothing crap. "God is on his throne," my ass. And I'm calling my senator, Chuck Schumer, to tell him to resign.
I lived from 2011 to the end of 2016 in Egypt. Americans should be ashamed - when I returned to the US I was so happy to be home, but in those almost 6 years I saw more courage in the Egyptians than I have seen in "ordinary" Americans. Healthcare costs through the roof, no affordable housing, $5 for a loaf of bread, and people whined but voted for the same old shit. I came home to a country of people who think whining is the way to effect change. Maybe it's time for America to have a new revolution. Decades of threats to democracy by the Republicans went unanswered, and the doomsday clock is seconds away from midnight. We cannot vote our way out of this or post comments or commiserate. That shit hasn't worked. I'd been crying almost every day since November, and now 62 more people died because Americans voted for a grifter who is the devil incarnate.
Also stay focused. Pick an angle/issue and become good at that angle/issue as an individual. We can't all defend everything at once. But it's like a choir - there's voices on every part. And we can all take breaths (breaks) as needed while the others keep holding the note. And practice excellent self-care. Your existence is the best resistance.
You know something, Mr or Ms Groh, I am good at an angle/issue. I've been a medical doctor for 47 1/2 years. I don't believe in private money (donating) in politics, but I made some exceptions last year, because I panicked. Candidates ask for $3, or $5. I wrote back to Ocazio-Cortez's campaign and someone else's, and I offered to donate $1000 (a lot for me) in exchange for a phone conversation, or better yet, an in person visit which I would make to DC, to explain about what's terribly wrong with the medical industry in this country. And I said I preferred to talk to as many Congresspeople as possible, because none but a very few are medical doctors, and would have any way to understand the problems. Would you like to guess if I got any response?
Absolutely right. No one person can solve every problem, but every person can try to solve one problem--they one they're most effectively equipped to address.
Super great article Qasim! I enjoyed reading it! Imma share it! Thank you for continuing to be voice for the anti-fascist movement as we get our sea legs and figure out how to deal with this monster!
Thank you so much for this, and for fighting back against this distorted mutation of America that pretends it’s not bullying capitalist fascism, but ‘decent society’. This has all been heartbreaking to witness.
Many thanks also for speaking up about education; as someone who got repeatedly harassed and traumatized into quitting public library work in a red state, it’s good to see your advice to advocate locally.
For anyone who is curious or concerned about the kind of thing too many educators have been going through, I’d like to share some of my experience. My intent here isn’t to complain or overshare personal traumas, but to offer first hand information as an example of an issue where more local advocacy is needed to counteract MAGA.
My county flipped to a diverse Democratic majority board of commissioners, but the vocal MAGA side flipped out, and have been in backlash mode at teachers and librarians in different ways. Book bans, firings, harassment, accusations of grooming kids to be LGBTQ+, etc. After making an unsuccessful initial pushback effort against LGBTQ book bans in schools, it felt like half the public then gave up and tuned out. They continue to remove titles from school libraries.
We weren’t fine at my library, but library administrators/management never acknowledged there was a problem, or cared what happened to us at work to an insane degree that included violence and threats of violence. I wasn’t even the only librarian there who got traumatized at work so much they had mental breakdowns, ran out of paid leave, and had to quit.
It’s hard to see MAGA and Republicans force harm on others, with no regard for human rights, let alone civil rights. It’s also hard to feel invisible to all the people who are supposed to care. Unfortunately, this includes the people who managed- in a Southern Civil War battlefield/Lockheed plant suburb- to vote a racially diverse, all-female Democratic majority board of commissioners into reality.
By the way, it’s no surprise that MAGA has such a problem with teachers and librarians, especially since both professions are still overwhelmingly female. -Thanks for reading.
Thank you for this. I’ve been looking for guidance on action steps. You provided me this today. I followed your links and emailed all three of my local political leaders
Fuck ‘em!
I have no complaint about people who prefer fascist dictatorships. They should move to a country that has one. N Korea would be perfect. Russia would be great. Right now would be an excellent time to move a short distance to Venezuela.
As for executing women who get abortions, so much for the "pro-life" claim. But as for the hunger for executing people, there are some Middle East countries where they'd live very contentedly.
I do know democracy can be a mess. All those other people with contrasting views, and who have to be taken into account? No, this is not the right country for people who like things clear, predictable, and reliable. Harsh and unfeeling is a perfectly reasonable price to pay for tidiness.
Great article, but reading through the comments as someone outside of America and learning how the “elected officials” have total disdain and refuse to engage with the people they are supposed to be representing, I don’t think solutions will come from waiting for Democrats to step up. They have shown themselves to be completely complicit. It’s a hard truth to swallow, but the quicker people realize it, the quicker people can focus on other strategies.
And time is not on your side! I believe democrats are not fanning the flames of resistance because they serve the same corporate powers. Trump convinced many voters he would improve their personal economic situation but it is becoming clear that he is working for the oligarchs. This is the opportunity you need to seize now.
Put aside the childish dem vs rep battle cries. The powerful are united under one banner of greed, now the people need to unite under one banner. They use culture wars to distract while they destroy everything. Cost of living crisis is the way to connect on both sides.
In Greece during their economic crisis, activists set up soup kitchens and wide variety of mutual aid groups that provided material support and ALSO educated recipients on how disaster capitalism and bankers were intent on destroying their livelihoods for their own enrichment. They helped deflect the anger up at the powerful instead of down at the refugees - which is what every authoritarian government does- directing hate and blame at the weak to hide the actions of the rich. Similar community education classes exposing the real intentions of Elon Et al could turn Maga hate in a more proactive direction…. Someone should make a simple class lesson on the predatory capitalism of American oligarchs to share with the people. Worth a try!! Good luck!!!
This is a great piece.
In truth, I am scared out of my mind for what the next few years are going to look like and I’ve been looking to get more involved. Some great suggestions here.
Thanks for everything you do. Sincerely, you are a hero.
Thank you for your timely message. This information is empowering.
Powerful and totally spot on
My senators and congressman won't email me back. I've been emailing multiple times a day for weeks. Only canned replies. They don't address any of my concerns or any questions I'm asking.
Do you know of anyone who gets any more than canned (non)replies?
I just emailed Chuck Schumer and demanded that he resign. I also called my congressblob, Joe Morelle, and left 2 voicemails asking when he will introduce articles of impeachment against Trump.. I suggest everyone call their representatives and do the same. And keep on doing it.
We all do that. The electeds don't, as the French say, give a shit. And no, they're not in any way going to resign because the voters are dissatisfied with them. Their sole purpose in life is to spend their careers sucking off the government tit.
What do you suppose the GOP would do to Biden if he were the one whose reckless bullshit caused that air collision that killed 62 people? What we need to do is tell our Congressblobs to stop the mealymouthed pronouncements and finger wagging, and start getting their shit together to impeach Trump. That's the priority at this moment.
I'm finally beginning to seriously consider leaving the Democratic party. I'm tired of the weak, do-nothing crap. "God is on his throne," my ass. And I'm calling my senator, Chuck Schumer, to tell him to resign.
I lived from 2011 to the end of 2016 in Egypt. Americans should be ashamed - when I returned to the US I was so happy to be home, but in those almost 6 years I saw more courage in the Egyptians than I have seen in "ordinary" Americans. Healthcare costs through the roof, no affordable housing, $5 for a loaf of bread, and people whined but voted for the same old shit. I came home to a country of people who think whining is the way to effect change. Maybe it's time for America to have a new revolution. Decades of threats to democracy by the Republicans went unanswered, and the doomsday clock is seconds away from midnight. We cannot vote our way out of this or post comments or commiserate. That shit hasn't worked. I'd been crying almost every day since November, and now 62 more people died because Americans voted for a grifter who is the devil incarnate.
Gov. Whitmer chaired the Fight Like Hell pac-why aren’t they fighting?
We're living in Nazi Germany. It quite striking the similarities between us.
Also stay focused. Pick an angle/issue and become good at that angle/issue as an individual. We can't all defend everything at once. But it's like a choir - there's voices on every part. And we can all take breaths (breaks) as needed while the others keep holding the note. And practice excellent self-care. Your existence is the best resistance.
You know something, Mr or Ms Groh, I am good at an angle/issue. I've been a medical doctor for 47 1/2 years. I don't believe in private money (donating) in politics, but I made some exceptions last year, because I panicked. Candidates ask for $3, or $5. I wrote back to Ocazio-Cortez's campaign and someone else's, and I offered to donate $1000 (a lot for me) in exchange for a phone conversation, or better yet, an in person visit which I would make to DC, to explain about what's terribly wrong with the medical industry in this country. And I said I preferred to talk to as many Congresspeople as possible, because none but a very few are medical doctors, and would have any way to understand the problems. Would you like to guess if I got any response?
Let me guess: none?
BINGO
Sorry but not surprised to hear that. Thanks for trying.
Absolutely right. No one person can solve every problem, but every person can try to solve one problem--they one they're most effectively equipped to address.
Super great article Qasim! I enjoyed reading it! Imma share it! Thank you for continuing to be voice for the anti-fascist movement as we get our sea legs and figure out how to deal with this monster!
Thank you for reading and sharing, Caroline! I appreciate you!
Thank you so much for this, and for fighting back against this distorted mutation of America that pretends it’s not bullying capitalist fascism, but ‘decent society’. This has all been heartbreaking to witness.
Many thanks also for speaking up about education; as someone who got repeatedly harassed and traumatized into quitting public library work in a red state, it’s good to see your advice to advocate locally.
For anyone who is curious or concerned about the kind of thing too many educators have been going through, I’d like to share some of my experience. My intent here isn’t to complain or overshare personal traumas, but to offer first hand information as an example of an issue where more local advocacy is needed to counteract MAGA.
My county flipped to a diverse Democratic majority board of commissioners, but the vocal MAGA side flipped out, and have been in backlash mode at teachers and librarians in different ways. Book bans, firings, harassment, accusations of grooming kids to be LGBTQ+, etc. After making an unsuccessful initial pushback effort against LGBTQ book bans in schools, it felt like half the public then gave up and tuned out. They continue to remove titles from school libraries.
We weren’t fine at my library, but library administrators/management never acknowledged there was a problem, or cared what happened to us at work to an insane degree that included violence and threats of violence. I wasn’t even the only librarian there who got traumatized at work so much they had mental breakdowns, ran out of paid leave, and had to quit.
It’s hard to see MAGA and Republicans force harm on others, with no regard for human rights, let alone civil rights. It’s also hard to feel invisible to all the people who are supposed to care. Unfortunately, this includes the people who managed- in a Southern Civil War battlefield/Lockheed plant suburb- to vote a racially diverse, all-female Democratic majority board of commissioners into reality.
By the way, it’s no surprise that MAGA has such a problem with teachers and librarians, especially since both professions are still overwhelmingly female. -Thanks for reading.
Hard enough being a woman globally, impossible in USofA.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
thank you for your very clear explanations and for everything that you are doing!
Absolutely. Hopefully we can get folks even more activated in their local communities.