I feel so small as an elderly, disabled, Hispanic, poor, USA citizen, female EXCEPT that I am expressing more honestly and fully all my political opinions online and in person. I am not quiet anymore. I was taught to be polite, compromise and keep the peace. That’s not possible now so I have a new voice. Thanks for being part of this process.
We're sharing your pain. My 41-year-old son says, "What if my daughter runs into trouble in Jamaica? What are you going to do? You're eighty-one years old, which is more than half a decade away. Was he being disrespectful or just plain insulting? Let us give him the benefit of the doubt, (upset) during the contentious discussion (argument). We wouldn't want to think he was violating the Ten Commandments, now would we? Political opinions seem to be "Taboo" to some younger generations. They are reluctant to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. Don't get me wrong, not all of them "have their heads in the sand."
My son said he doesn’t have the bandwidth to discuss politics because work is such a pressure for him. He is otherwise a very intelligent man and if he loses his job due to the Trump economy he may find some ‘bandwidth’.
I fear that a lot of the politically apathetic are going to get a shock soon. They may simply be unreachable until they suffer some personal tRump induced shock.
Thank you, Mary. I always appreciate your insight. I believe you are right. I have tried to understand trump supporters. Many have fallen for the red pill. Why? It is painfully obvious, on a basic level, that if he was willing to target one group, sooner or later we all take a turn. This was painfully obvious after 1.0. But here we are. He stoked the fires of hatred, purposely. We don't have the luxury of doing a deep dig on the election. The boat is capsizing, and rather quickly I might add.
My friend and I talked about that. Once his actions hit their finances and liberty, then maybe they will see Trump for what he is a dictator, abuser and traitor.
My youngest Son who is 43, works his tail off as a project manager and a huge donald supporter because he’s been brainwashed by right winged talking heads. He’s even bought in to the crypto currency market because of them. I’ve tried talking to him about it until I’m blue in the face, trying not to totally sever our relationship at the same time. And Mary is right, I believe most of the idiots who voted for donald aren’t sure why they voted for him, but they are about to figure it out when it affects their jobs and their pocket book.
Sorry but I dont see the good in calling/texting/emailing our members of Congress. It’s only a low level aide who receives that info, the Congress person is not even informed of the number of contacts from the public.
We are WAY past that point.
We MUST do something big and very soon. Before it’s too late. I don’t know what it is that needs to be done, but something big, actionable and with permanent and long term effects.
Generally an intern, and each call is tallied and weighted more than an email. Constituents vote officials in and out of office. They need to hear from constituents. Senators who may be in support of the BBB need to realize how tenuous their reelections may be. Your senator may not need your support because they won’t be voting for the bill. You can volunteer to get constituents in at-risk states to mobilize.
I’m wondering who is leading the Democratic Party. At this point in my life, I’m without party until we can exhibit leadership in this country. I’m still registered as a Democrat, but consider myself a centrist. If the Republicans could put another John McCain on the ticket, I’d vote for them. It’s so frustrating that the Democratic Party can’t beat a demagogue like donald, who is uneducated and a baffling idiot who has no business leading anything. If voters would have done their homework, read his bio, and seen how many attempts he tried get rich quick schemes and failed, maybe that could have changed their minds. But honestly, too many Americans can identify with him. Greedy, self indulgent, corrupt, liar, no self respect, no integrity, just lustful and selfishness.
Then, Democrats stand for most of all good things. I know we aren’t perfect, but we not only care for ourselves, but we also care about others and the state of our democracy, for the better not only for us, but also the rest of the world.
I have been married for 34 years to my husband. I am far from perfect, but I’m a good law abiding American.
We need a smart, educated Democrat to lead this country with the right people in congress who aren’t afraid of their president. I think Pete Buttigieg is the man for the job.
"elderly, disabled, Hispanic, poor, USA citizen, female." Small? Why, my dear, you have all the qualifications to be the largest and most important voice among us. If that were the resume you handed me for a job, I'd hire you on the spot! You have the wisdom of age, the persistence to overcome disability, the knowledge of other cultures, the resourcefulness to survive poverty, living in a country that badly needs you, and the nurturing heart it sorely requires. We are all graced with your resolve to no longer be quiet. Have no doubt, whether you know us or not, we are listening. -- abrazos
If ever there were a time to speak your mind, this is it. Whether you feel small or not your voice and opinion can change minds of those mixed up people who just don’t know any better!
I’m an old disabled woman too and usually try to keep the peace. Now I’m too scared for my kids to keep my mouth shut but I can’t do much. I’m sharing some posts, I wear my rainbow scarf and go to local protests with my rollator if we just stand ( or sit) and don’t march. I don’t know if it will do any good but I just can’t do nothing.
'kodomo no tame ni' is a phrase the Japanese use, "For the sake of the children." It is what they say to keep their resolve and do what they can, in the worst of times. I keep it posted on my wall. It reminds me why, at this very late time in my life, when I may be gone before the worst of this is over, why I must do what I can. Kodomo no tame ni.
better yet, calls to your neighbors and friends. To see that they are alright and doing what they can, and to discover what you can do together. Either way, make those calls.
We are running out of time. While millions of Americans voted for Donald Trump out of self-interest, most never imagined they were voting away their freedoms, their rights, their economic stability, or the rule of law. But that is exactly what’s happening. Decades of relentless right-wing propaganda, from the McCarthy era to Fox News and beyond, have systematically dismantled public discernment. Today, nearly 76 million Americans have been so deeply misled that they can no longer recognize truth, justice, or the foundational principles of democracy. And yet, the real crisis is that far too many of us remain quiet. Our leaders are not fighting with the urgency this moment demands. We cannot wait for saviors. We must become the resistance. It is time to get louder, braver, and more coordinated. We need more than outrage. We need strategy. I believe we must form an immediate Resistance Think Tank. One of a powerful coalition of constitutional scholars, aggressive litigators, expert linguists, political historians who understand how democracies fall, experienced activists, cultural psychologists, and people like Mary Trump, who can anticipate the next moves of autocrats and their enablers. This group should not be symbolic. It must meet regularly, work collaboratively, and issue clear, actionable guidance to the American public. Not scattered protests, but sustained civic action. Not abstract warnings, but detailed instructions for reclaiming and defending our democracy. We need messaging that cuts through propaganda. Legal action that is relentless. Psychological insight into the cultic grip Trumpism has on millions. And above all, a unified front. This isn’t just about one man. It’s about whether truth, justice, and constitutional government will survive in America. The time is now.
A Think Tank is a great idea. One problem is that Musk probably has access to all our phone numbers and contact information, which means he can use his AI to spy on us and any planning we are doing. I’m not sure anyone on our side has access to AI that could be used to foil their plans. And Democratic billionaires have dropped out of sight. We are the frogs in the slowly heating water, we need to jump out now but people are still too comfortable. We are being manipulated cleverly, inexorably, and malevolently. There are probably 300 million of us to their 30 million, but I have read that it only takes 10% of the population to overthrow a government. The world that is being planned for us will be a world where a handful of sociopaths control all the wealth, and the rest of us live in misery. Maybe we all need to move off grid.
Let him listen, let him spy. If we have the right tactics, it won't do them any good. Good tactics don't require an enemy be unaware; they require that the enemy's awareness doesn't matter. Turn the tactics of the enemy, back on the enemy.
I’ll be damned if I’ll die under the Trump Fascist Republican Regime. They can go to Hell. Better yet, round them up, arrest them and send them to Guantanamo Bay prison to rot. Sally G
We may be on the cusp of a big loss. I can see how he could use his Big Birthday Bash and Parade to announce Martial Law. He will have what amounts to an invasion force right there in central DC. I'd be willing to bet the 7500 troops on the ground will be hand-picked by White Nationalist SecDef for their willingness to shoot protestors.
Agree totally. So many of us are fed up with the democratic leadership. Schumer sends a very strong letter to Trump. Really? Did his staff file it in the trash, unopened? Corey Booker's speech was nice. What did it actually do? Your ideas would go a lot farther in fighting this. We have no clue what the Democrats are doing. I'm out protesting like millions of others because I care but you're right, what is it actually doing. Some people are calling for drastic blackouts like masses of people not going to work. We can't even get a lot of people to boycott Walmart. I wish leaders would listen to ideas like yours.
boycotts, blackouts, general strikes are all hard to organize, difficult to sustain and a very big, expensive drain on resources. But a little app might do what all of those cannot. There is one, if any small group with the right skill set chooses to set it up:
I have been speaking out saying the same thing as you are proposing. Unfortunately I am running into a wall with comments that I am intelligent but others won’t understand being unified & fighting for our constitution full force & saving protests for individual issues once we’ve secured our democracy. So frustrating but I will keep speaking out for a We the People united front.
Wow, couldn’t have said it better. We have an uphill battle, the activists and more dedicated people will have to decide quickly what kind of Country do we want. It’s class warfare, but I am afraid large portions of our Population are not tuned in. The ones that do, are tuning into the media owned by billionaires. Warren Buffet explains the war between the rich and poor is real. The Rich are winning. The stupid culture wars are winning too. We can’t stop it, unless more people engage to stop the madness.
All to the point, and well said. I would only add, in addition to all those leaders, people of influence and expertise to step up and join the battle, each of us has the most fearsome weapon of all, one that the Destructionists cannot fight — our imagination. The old tactics and missions have failed us, and are obsolete. But it is our imaginations that can forge the new tactics and missions that will enable us to endure and eventually prevail. Imagination is the one thing they have tried to kill throughout history. But they cannot kill it. Each of us has it, and it is always there to be used, and the time to use it is now. "Resisting Tyranny — Tactical Innovations Part 1" may offer a few ideas, https://redslider.substack.com/p/resisting-tyranny-tactical-innovations
Sarah, I salute you on your comments. How great it would be to see the people gather and put a hard stop to the evil that is growing in DC. Trump needs to be investigated for crimes against humanity. What he did to the immigrants by sending them to El Salvador exceeds all the crimes we know he has committed. Truly evil. If he is not stopped his seed may replace him. A little Donald he is says his mother.
Use this spreadsheet to call/email/write any of our representatives as often as possible. Not just your own state reps, reach out to those in other states. Be as loud as you can and share this. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
To the top right on the Senate tab (main tab) is a link on how to send them a message (email). I don’t know if you can message them individually - I will look
Yes, you can write to the Supreme Court. You can send a letter to the Supreme Court, or you can email the public information office for more urgent or time-sensitive inquiries.
Here's how you can do it:
1. By Mail:
* Address: The Supreme Court of the United States, 1 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20543.
* To: You can send letters to individual justices or to the Chief Justice. If you are sending to an individual justice, you can address the letter as follows: "The Honorable (full name), Justice, The United States Supreme Court".
* Content: The letter should be concise and to the point, focusing on one specific topic.
* Subject: In the subject line, indicate that you are inquiring about something specific.
* Content: Keep the email concise, short and to the point.
Important Considerations:
* Format: When writing a letter, use proper formatting and address the letter as instructed above.
* Content: Be respectful and avoid making personal attacks or using inflammatory language.
* Purpose: Consider the purpose of your letter. Are you requesting information, expressing an opinion, or trying to influence the Court's decisions?
* Specificity: If you have a specific question or concern, be as specific as possible in your letter or email.
* Official Communication: For legal matters, it's essential to follow the official procedures for filing petitions or briefs.
If you wanted to express your opinion on a specific case, you could address the letter to the Chief Justice or a specific justice, and provide your argument in a concise and respectful manner.
This morning as an Example: Send the letter to each individual justice. They are: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Their address is: Justice (fill in name), One First St NE, Washington DC 20543
(My letter)
Dear Chief Justice Roberts,
There is nothing more important than expediting the decision-making regarding how the lower courts should handle President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
The Supreme Court ruled 127 years ago said then, and since then, that the text of the Fourteenth Amendment, enacted after the Civil War, says that all babies born in the Unites States are automatically U.S. citizens.
Respectfully I request that you steadfastly uphold the rulings addressed 127 years ago and the Fourteenth Amendment of our nation’s Constitution and address this matter with the urgency it requires.
Yes, you can write to the Supreme Court. You can send a letter to the Supreme Court, or you can email the public information office for more urgent or time-sensitive inquiries.
Here's how you can do it:
1. By Mail:
* Address: The Supreme Court of the United States, 1 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20543.
* To: You can send letters to individual justices or to the Chief Justice. If you are sending to an individual justice, you can address the letter as follows: "The Honorable (full name), Justice, The United States Supreme Court".
* Content: The letter should be concise and to the point, focusing on one specific topic.
* Subject: In the subject line, indicate that you are inquiring about something specific.
* Content: Keep the email concise, short and to the point.
Important Considerations:
* Format: When writing a letter, use proper formatting and address the letter as instructed above.
* Content: Be respectful and avoid making personal attacks or using inflammatory language.
* Purpose: Consider the purpose of your letter. Are you requesting information, expressing an opinion, or trying to influence the Court's decisions?
* Specificity: If you have a specific question or concern, be as specific as possible in your letter or email.
* Official Communication: For legal matters, it's essential to follow the official procedures for filing petitions or briefs.
If you wanted to express your opinion on a specific case, you could address the letter to the Chief Justice or a specific justice, and provide your argument in a concise and respectful manner.
This morning as an Example: Send the letter to each individual justice. They are: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Their address is: Justice (fill in name), One First St NE, Washington DC 20543
(My letter)
Dear Chief Justice Roberts,
There is nothing more important than expediting the decision-making regarding how the lower courts should handle President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
The Supreme Court ruled 127 years ago said then, and since then, that the text of the Fourteenth Amendment, enacted after the Civil War, says that all babies born in the Unites States are automatically U.S. citizens.
Respectfully I request that you steadfastly uphold the rulings addressed 127 years ago and the Fourteenth Amendment of our nation’s Constitution and address this matter with the urgency it requires.
The fact is that this has been done by many already: look where it got us?
If people are first deciding that calling/writing/emailing might be a good idea — now well over the first 100 days — I’m embarrassed for them.
‼️ Reread Mary Trumps piece (last nights). THERE NEEDS TO BE A SHIFT IN HOW WE ARE FIGHTING BACK!
‼️ Read it again. Then again. ‼️
Mary Trump points out exactly what the shift in action needs to be…and while reaching out at this point is, at this point, as useful as Corey Booker’s filibuster.
It’s time to go to the Republicans. Their Town Halls: the opposition. That’s who we must confront. Get those who regret voting for him involved personally. Engage the Republican constituents and anyone who voted for him (or didn’t vote at all) and get them as enraged and active as the predominance of Dems attending the protests. The rallies.
Reread the piece Mary Trump stacked last night!!!!
It seems the point was missed by many (and I’ve only read a handful of comments!).
Keep calling/writing/emailing, if that is how you wish to put your energy out there politically. But don’t expect our elected representatives and political party alone to fight - and win - this battle for us, or to protect us from the ravages of the current regime. Our electoral system has proven that it is no longer capable of single-handedly overcoming this existential threat to our national spirit. The fight has come to each of us.
Our words and actions must be directed beyond the politicians - at fellow Americans we encounter in our day-to-day lives. Each one of us must openly exemplify the ethical model we want restored, and no longer tolerate self-seated and ignorant behavior in others out of some kind of misplaced sense of equanimity and “right to their opinions.” That might mean walking away from certain neighbors, friends and family, refusing to brook any respect for their narrow and malignant beliefs. That’s the real definition of “making good trouble,” and it requires more personal courage than phone calls and letter-writing alone. It means showing up and calling out in person. Be the light you wish to see in the world.
I definitely feel like we can do all of that. The volume of full voicemails, phones that don’t stop finding, inboxes that only increase even when constantly responding to others, mail showing up, that says something too. I am going to protests as well, but I don’t want to be quiet and seem complicit between protests. I want to make nonstop noise, however I can.
Every interpersonal encounter is an opportunity to assert our beliefs with our authentic voices and firm resolve. It need not be adversarial or loud. But it must be constant and appropriate to the circumstances. That is how the zeitgeist is established, and how the ship is turned.
Republicans live in fear of trump. He has dirt on a few/some/a number of/many members of Congress. It very well could be their past involvement with trump himself and Epstein and young girls.
Others who may not have had that involvement know the wrath of trump and how he can destroy a person’s career with two words.
It’s fear.
Very few have the integrity or courage to do the right thing as Cheney and Kinzinger have done. This has gone on far too long. Trump is destroying so much as he has promised he would. We should have believed him. He has no reason not to, he can get away with everything. That must stop.
It’s clear ‘writing to your congressperson’ is not moving anyone or anything to change. It’s almost past time but there needs to be a large scale team effort to get all these errors corrected. Someone much wiser than I should have assembled a team and created a plan long ago when trump first began to interfere with everyone’s way of life. We need a plan in place right now and immediate action. Someone needs to use the same words as a hero in 2001,
I suggested the town hall thing months before anyone one used it. It is one tactic, and it should be redoubled (though it seems to be fading). There are a few others here, that I don't see anyone even thinking about,
You are 1000% right. Many Democrats have failed us. There should have been a line after Corey Booker. We can't count on politicians in Washington to fight. They are too confortable. We have to get out there and fight by whatever means necessary to take our country back from these fascist fuck!
Actually, during Cory Booker's speech, 35 of his Democratic colleagues and one Independent colleague asked him questions, which allowed him to rest. The two senators with the most questions were Chuck Schumer and Chris Murphy – Murphy stayed with him on the floor for the entire speech.
You miss Mary's point. Each one of the 35 Democratic and Independent candidates should have stepped into Booker's place and continued the filibuster, or started a new one. This would have halted the Senate's function and prevented the passage of any corrupt Republican legislation.
I think her point was when the Dems were in power and had the majority they needed to put through major changing legislation and they didn’t. They stayed with the status quo.
As we have witnessed, you start with a sharpie pen and a flurry of Executive orders, fast statutes pushed and bludgeoned through Congress, and a whole lot of other tactics you never thought you'd have to use. You stop the roof from caving in, then you worry about the nice paint job you'll need in the future.
Of course. An even worse mistake was after the election, for a few months when they had the same unlimited powers they were about to hand over to a Mad King, and knew what he could do with them, the opted to drone on with their "peaceful transfer of power" swan song. They gave it away when they knew better and could have done something about it.
I sent this out, just a few days after the election:
Very inspiring. So what did his speech inspire? What real action emerged from that impassioned plea the day after? Who remembered it two weeks later? What should we tell our kids who may be living in a despotic tyranny a thousand years from now, if they even survive our folly? "Gee kids, sorry. We couldn't keep it. But, gee, we made a hell of a speech!"
Exactly! Politicians in Washington are way too comfortable. They're all wealthy and out of touch.
They've forgotten or they have NO idea about the struggle the American people have to suffer on a daily basis. No liveable minimum wage, health insurance is designed to punish the sick instead of help. Two or three jobs just to pay rent. Now they're trying to take away the basic services that the vulnerable rely on??
The greedy wealthy and evll billionaires have run america into the ground.
Now they're selling USA to the highest bidder.
They've done enough damage.
They're NOT doing their jobs, they're NOT working for the people.
This is why I believe in term limits. You should be a senator or representative no longer than 10 years total. After that, go back to your community, work there, be productive move on with your life. That would avoid ALOT of corruption. Also, we wouldn’t have good people in their 80s & 90s making policy decisions for the good citizens- median age is 38 years old. I’m sure this sounds disrespectful and ageist. But for the record, I am also considered elderly.
I agree, Corey Booker should have been followed up by other Dems and/or independents! Even if they could have only done 5 or more hours at a time consecutively . I was registered as independent. until I moved to Florida. In order to vote in the primaries I had to pick a party R or D. Closed primaries are ridiculous! We must fight back to end these closed primaries & the huge corporations who funnel millions of $$$ to the likes of trump running for any office!
We have to dig deeper now and do more than we’ve been doing. It’s not always easy to know what that looks like though, right? I’ve been to four protests this year, I’ve made calls. I’ve gone to meetings convened by progressive groups. Plus all these cool Substacks and YouTube channels I subscribe to so that I can be as informed as possible.
But a few weeks ago, I sent a message out to my neighborhood email list asking if anyone would be interested in getting together to strategize about our current situation. I didn’t mention names or political parties, but people knew what I was talking about. We have seventeen people in this new group now. We share resources and ideas. We’ve contacted people in the legal system to see how we can be supportive to them. We’re getting plugged in to a bigger group in town that’s been around a while, learning from them, helping them.
My point is that even though it already feels like a lot, we can do more. And who knows when a certain spark will ignite and become something bigger? We have to be expansive in our thinking.
The problem is: we keep expecting a President, when all Donald wants to be is a reality-TV star, as he was for 14 years.
And how do you get people to watch your reality-TV show?
Of course: by doing the most outrageous things imaginable, up to and including: filling your cabinet with the most absurd people walking this Earth, because you know their ridiculous level of incompetence will "make news"; running this country into the ground; destroying the world economy; having your masked thugs arrest innocent people on street corners; deporting hard-working, peace-loving people simply because they didn't happen to be born here, while kissing up to the deadbeats who were; and ad infinitum.
To paraphrase Shakespeare: "The play's the thing," and, thanks in large part to his reality-TV mentor, Mark Burnett, Donald is very, very aware of that—the best example being his comment after the disgraceful Oval Office meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "Well, I don't know what's going to come out of this meeting, but at least it was 'good television'."
Yes, you heard me right: after castigating and insulting the President of a democratic country who's losing thousands of his citizens every week, Trump's main takeaway from the meeting was that it was "good television"(!) And the corporate media—and the 74 million morons who voted for him—keep treating this guy as if he's a normal human being.
If someone has a clue how to change that, I am, as Ross Perot used to say, "all ears"!
Hello David... The problem is that too many Don't know what Reality is Now... The Popular Culture is Entertainment Obsessed... Too Few Want To Know What The 'Real, Real' Is... DJT is indeed trying to Run his Administration as a Evil Demented 'Reality' TV Show for His Minions...
I've stopped watching that t.v. show and obsessing over the endless "Days of our Lives" details. I've stopped paying any attention to what they do, or how to change them. Instead, I'm entirely focused on what we can do. For that, I've started here:
I have always been the one in my family to speak out what I believe is good or bad, though I have been physically and mentally abused from one parent from that, I decided to do something about it, especially with 3 young children, and cheating husbands, and domestic violence I joined the US Army in order to provide my children more than just a high school education, they paid for my nursing school and paid me to get it finished, And after 40 plus years of nursing, retired 5 years ago, and now the enemy now is our own self-centered, ego idiot that now ignoring the us Constitution that I raised my hand, and an Oath for the rest of my life for our country, and we have to start getting this situation in the right direction from now until 2028. I constantly contacting our state representatives in Congress whenever I don't accept or agree with the choices made illegally in the Senate, House and Congress and especially the administration. We can and we will change the next Administration together!!! NOT alone.
I agree with you, Mary, we can do this, but we’ve got to start figuring it out right now. Your posts are so helpful to the rest of us. We need your insight. Thanks for all you do.
agreed, except that Mary's posts don't tell us what we can do, they are more about what is being done to us, and how bat-shit crazy the people doing it are. That doesn't really get us to the next step. Maybe this has a few ideas to do that,
Unfortunately I don't think Kamala had enough time and didn't do enough interviews to change people to vote for her. Most I know just plain didn't vote and they were Trump supporters and didn't want him either. I live in a red state and south of me in this state are the real Democrats, but not enough to turn it blue. I voted for Kamala thinking good about it, but Musk was out there paying people to vote for Trump and nobody stopped him! To me that right there was an abuse of power and bribery. I still stand up and will still vote Democrat especially after this disaster!
Thank you for speaking truth to power. I agree with you and could have written much of what you wrote. I do what I can but it seems like it is never enough. I feel very powerless and vulnerable. As a Sr. with only SS and Medicare to survive, I live in constant fear they will rip it away. My health is such that working is not an option. It seems like they want us all to just die. They do not see our worth or even as human beings deserving life and liberty. Sadly, I have developed such a hatred for trump and all who support him. I daily wish for his demise which is not how I have ever felt or thought about anyone before this living hell we are in. I don't like this about myself but it is a knee-jerk reaction every time I see him or hear his voice. I just wonder if we will ever come back from all the devastation they are creating on a daily basis.
Great article Mary. Powerful, moving words. I get inspiration and hope from people like you that there are enough of us to win this fight for kindness, compassion, rule of law, truth, accountability, courage, our country. We fight for our country against hatred, lying, cowardice, bigotry, divisiveness, cruelty, etc. Please don’t give up or give in. Folks like me need you, your position, your words, your strength now more than ever. Thanks Mary for your courage and commitment.
Thanks Mary, you give all of the strength, motivation and a keen insight into what is going on, along with the will to come together and fight the fascist bastards!
“And the non-voter is the largest voting bloc in this country: 80 million people just couldn't be bothered to show up, because they didn’t care or didn't understand or didn’t feel spoken to.”
This is patently untrue Mary and I’m super disappointed that you would continue to push this kind of nonsense. The vast majority of these people did not vote in the 2024 presidential election because of the ELECTORAL COLLEGE. I am SO FUCKING TIRED OF READING ARTICLES ABOUT THE FUCKING “TRUMP VOTER” AND WHY HE/SHE/THEY CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR TRUMP. They are a MINORITY in this country. Who gives a shit why millions of stupid fucking people do what stupid fucking people do?
In the words of the French European Minister: “We cannot leave the security of Europe in the hands of voters in Wisconsin every 4 years.” This is so true! And not just in the context of international affairs but in every aspect of domestic life here in the US as well. If there were no Electoral College your uncle would NEVER have been elected president. Most people who don’t vote in presidential elections do so because THEIR VOTE DOES NOT MATTER. Why should the vote of someone in PA be worth more than that of a voter in CA? Or TX? Or UT? Or NY? This has nothing to do with your uncle or the GOP or even fascism per se — and has everything to do with our completely bonkers fucked-up way of running a national election for POTUS every four years. Your uncle may be the avatar of his cult followers’ id who gives them permission to be the worst version of themselves. But it is the motherfucking Electoral College that greased the structural skids to allow fascism to take root in the United States. And this is not news. People have been trying to abolish this goddamn fucking thing for fucking CENTURIES with absolutely no success.
So — yes — are your uncle and his most devoted followers absolute pieces of human excrement? You bet they are. But don’t blame them for the complete fucking dystopian nightmare we find ourselves in today. Blame it on the Electoral College. Please.
I really wish they would get rid of parties and the electoral college. And just let people vote on peoples policy and who they are not just part line and screw the electoral college.
Painful reading but beautifully expressed. It explains a lot that is reminiscent of how a gerrymander decades ago operated in my state of Queensland to bring out the worst in us.
In a few hours my choir's concert is going to end with The Battle Hymn of the Republic (audience to join in). I'll be with you and my American friends in spirit.
Other parts of the election tallies and reports are telling as well. A very clear and decisive but not unified majority voted for some one other than tfg. That stat gives me 'some' peace. The reporting of voter disqualifications and voter barriers, especially in the important decisive states is deeply troubling - that 'must' end. The ability and franchise to vote must become sacrosanct. We must push back hard on that.
I feel so small as an elderly, disabled, Hispanic, poor, USA citizen, female EXCEPT that I am expressing more honestly and fully all my political opinions online and in person. I am not quiet anymore. I was taught to be polite, compromise and keep the peace. That’s not possible now so I have a new voice. Thanks for being part of this process.
Yes!! Girl power!! Use your voice girlfriend 💜
Thanks!😀😀
We're sharing your pain. My 41-year-old son says, "What if my daughter runs into trouble in Jamaica? What are you going to do? You're eighty-one years old, which is more than half a decade away. Was he being disrespectful or just plain insulting? Let us give him the benefit of the doubt, (upset) during the contentious discussion (argument). We wouldn't want to think he was violating the Ten Commandments, now would we? Political opinions seem to be "Taboo" to some younger generations. They are reluctant to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. Don't get me wrong, not all of them "have their heads in the sand."
C.A.S., We've got your back!
My son said he doesn’t have the bandwidth to discuss politics because work is such a pressure for him. He is otherwise a very intelligent man and if he loses his job due to the Trump economy he may find some ‘bandwidth’.
I fear that a lot of the politically apathetic are going to get a shock soon. They may simply be unreachable until they suffer some personal tRump induced shock.
This is by design. Keeping the workers scrambling makes it more difficult for them to think, organize, and resist. The time must be found, though.
Thank you, Mary. I always appreciate your insight. I believe you are right. I have tried to understand trump supporters. Many have fallen for the red pill. Why? It is painfully obvious, on a basic level, that if he was willing to target one group, sooner or later we all take a turn. This was painfully obvious after 1.0. But here we are. He stoked the fires of hatred, purposely. We don't have the luxury of doing a deep dig on the election. The boat is capsizing, and rather quickly I might add.
My friend and I talked about that. Once his actions hit their finances and liberty, then maybe they will see Trump for what he is a dictator, abuser and traitor.
It would take an atomic bomb to make the majority of those people wake up. And when and if they do, it will probably be too late.
Exactly why things like Tik Tok were allowed in China… keep the young people out of the way of the plan !!
There are Multiple Intelligences & your son’s are just the basic one, who only worries about his small world!
My youngest Son who is 43, works his tail off as a project manager and a huge donald supporter because he’s been brainwashed by right winged talking heads. He’s even bought in to the crypto currency market because of them. I’ve tried talking to him about it until I’m blue in the face, trying not to totally sever our relationship at the same time. And Mary is right, I believe most of the idiots who voted for donald aren’t sure why they voted for him, but they are about to figure it out when it affects their jobs and their pocket book.
Thank you. ❤️
Oh my goodness did I just write that? I hear you, sister! This year for my birthday in May, I gave myself the gift to speak out.
Woohoo!!!
Call representatives every day. Build the muscle.
Sorry but I dont see the good in calling/texting/emailing our members of Congress. It’s only a low level aide who receives that info, the Congress person is not even informed of the number of contacts from the public.
We are WAY past that point.
We MUST do something big and very soon. Before it’s too late. I don’t know what it is that needs to be done, but something big, actionable and with permanent and long term effects.
Generally an intern, and each call is tallied and weighted more than an email. Constituents vote officials in and out of office. They need to hear from constituents. Senators who may be in support of the BBB need to realize how tenuous their reelections may be. Your senator may not need your support because they won’t be voting for the bill. You can volunteer to get constituents in at-risk states to mobilize.
Dear Julie, that’s great! You are doing what you can. We don’t have to do more than what we can. God bless. ❤️❤️🥰
I’m wondering who is leading the Democratic Party. At this point in my life, I’m without party until we can exhibit leadership in this country. I’m still registered as a Democrat, but consider myself a centrist. If the Republicans could put another John McCain on the ticket, I’d vote for them. It’s so frustrating that the Democratic Party can’t beat a demagogue like donald, who is uneducated and a baffling idiot who has no business leading anything. If voters would have done their homework, read his bio, and seen how many attempts he tried get rich quick schemes and failed, maybe that could have changed their minds. But honestly, too many Americans can identify with him. Greedy, self indulgent, corrupt, liar, no self respect, no integrity, just lustful and selfishness.
Then, Democrats stand for most of all good things. I know we aren’t perfect, but we not only care for ourselves, but we also care about others and the state of our democracy, for the better not only for us, but also the rest of the world.
I have been married for 34 years to my husband. I am far from perfect, but I’m a good law abiding American.
We need a smart, educated Democrat to lead this country with the right people in congress who aren’t afraid of their president. I think Pete Buttigieg is the man for the job.
Very proud of you. 👏🏼
thanks Julie. ❤️
"elderly, disabled, Hispanic, poor, USA citizen, female." Small? Why, my dear, you have all the qualifications to be the largest and most important voice among us. If that were the resume you handed me for a job, I'd hire you on the spot! You have the wisdom of age, the persistence to overcome disability, the knowledge of other cultures, the resourcefulness to survive poverty, living in a country that badly needs you, and the nurturing heart it sorely requires. We are all graced with your resolve to no longer be quiet. Have no doubt, whether you know us or not, we are listening. -- abrazos
Thanks Red Slidder! Very nice and welcoming words. 😊
If ever there were a time to speak your mind, this is it. Whether you feel small or not your voice and opinion can change minds of those mixed up people who just don’t know any better!
I’m an old disabled woman too and usually try to keep the peace. Now I’m too scared for my kids to keep my mouth shut but I can’t do much. I’m sharing some posts, I wear my rainbow scarf and go to local protests with my rollator if we just stand ( or sit) and don’t march. I don’t know if it will do any good but I just can’t do nothing.
Hi Barb! Do what you are doing and no more that stresses you out. We all do what we can without endangering our lives and that of our loved ones. ❤️
'kodomo no tame ni' is a phrase the Japanese use, "For the sake of the children." It is what they say to keep their resolve and do what they can, in the worst of times. I keep it posted on my wall. It reminds me why, at this very late time in my life, when I may be gone before the worst of this is over, why I must do what I can. Kodomo no tame ni.
I'm around of you for expressing yourself and, my, you did get stuck on Trump's short stick! You checked all the boxes! Lol Keep up the good work!
Thanks. :-) I will keep hope alive.
You go girl!
🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Thanks Nancy! Love your country and its people. Thanks for your support. 🥰
Just about everyone can make the calls to Congress
True, Camille. 😃
better yet, calls to your neighbors and friends. To see that they are alright and doing what they can, and to discover what you can do together. Either way, make those calls.
We are running out of time. While millions of Americans voted for Donald Trump out of self-interest, most never imagined they were voting away their freedoms, their rights, their economic stability, or the rule of law. But that is exactly what’s happening. Decades of relentless right-wing propaganda, from the McCarthy era to Fox News and beyond, have systematically dismantled public discernment. Today, nearly 76 million Americans have been so deeply misled that they can no longer recognize truth, justice, or the foundational principles of democracy. And yet, the real crisis is that far too many of us remain quiet. Our leaders are not fighting with the urgency this moment demands. We cannot wait for saviors. We must become the resistance. It is time to get louder, braver, and more coordinated. We need more than outrage. We need strategy. I believe we must form an immediate Resistance Think Tank. One of a powerful coalition of constitutional scholars, aggressive litigators, expert linguists, political historians who understand how democracies fall, experienced activists, cultural psychologists, and people like Mary Trump, who can anticipate the next moves of autocrats and their enablers. This group should not be symbolic. It must meet regularly, work collaboratively, and issue clear, actionable guidance to the American public. Not scattered protests, but sustained civic action. Not abstract warnings, but detailed instructions for reclaiming and defending our democracy. We need messaging that cuts through propaganda. Legal action that is relentless. Psychological insight into the cultic grip Trumpism has on millions. And above all, a unified front. This isn’t just about one man. It’s about whether truth, justice, and constitutional government will survive in America. The time is now.
Brilliant comment. Absolute truth. I wish every single American could read it today 💜
Too many Democratic leaders are not fighting with the necessary URGENCY.
You are right about that. The old guard is not stepping up to the plate.
Call representatives every day. Build the muscle.
Call representatives every day. Build the muscle.
I think it more the lack of imagination than urgency that is holding us back. That is what needs to be unleashed, but it is in scant supply.
Also see Election truth alliance. Great podcasts with Jessica denson - lights on.
Meidas Touch network is another great resource for facts no propaganda.
Absolutely Yes!
Thank you Mary….
This expresses my feelings exactly. Every resistance whether big or small is a building block for change.
Never give up. Never!
Churchill: When you are walking through hell, keep going.
Never give up, never surrender
A Think Tank is a great idea. One problem is that Musk probably has access to all our phone numbers and contact information, which means he can use his AI to spy on us and any planning we are doing. I’m not sure anyone on our side has access to AI that could be used to foil their plans. And Democratic billionaires have dropped out of sight. We are the frogs in the slowly heating water, we need to jump out now but people are still too comfortable. We are being manipulated cleverly, inexorably, and malevolently. There are probably 300 million of us to their 30 million, but I have read that it only takes 10% of the population to overthrow a government. The world that is being planned for us will be a world where a handful of sociopaths control all the wealth, and the rest of us live in misery. Maybe we all need to move off grid.
Let him listen, let him spy. If we have the right tactics, it won't do them any good. Good tactics don't require an enemy be unaware; they require that the enemy's awareness doesn't matter. Turn the tactics of the enemy, back on the enemy.
https://redslider.substack.com/p/resisting-tyranny-tactical-innovations
I’ll be damned if I’ll die under the Trump Fascist Republican Regime. They can go to Hell. Better yet, round them up, arrest them and send them to Guantanamo Bay prison to rot. Sally G
We may be on the cusp of a big loss. I can see how he could use his Big Birthday Bash and Parade to announce Martial Law. He will have what amounts to an invasion force right there in central DC. I'd be willing to bet the 7500 troops on the ground will be hand-picked by White Nationalist SecDef for their willingness to shoot protestors.
PLEASE say this ridiculous “Parade celebration” isn’t going to happen!
Agree totally. So many of us are fed up with the democratic leadership. Schumer sends a very strong letter to Trump. Really? Did his staff file it in the trash, unopened? Corey Booker's speech was nice. What did it actually do? Your ideas would go a lot farther in fighting this. We have no clue what the Democrats are doing. I'm out protesting like millions of others because I care but you're right, what is it actually doing. Some people are calling for drastic blackouts like masses of people not going to work. We can't even get a lot of people to boycott Walmart. I wish leaders would listen to ideas like yours.
boycotts, blackouts, general strikes are all hard to organize, difficult to sustain and a very big, expensive drain on resources. But a little app might do what all of those cannot. There is one, if any small group with the right skill set chooses to set it up:
Poems4change.org/essays/csrc.pdf 'Certifying Socially Responsible Corporations'
I have been speaking out saying the same thing as you are proposing. Unfortunately I am running into a wall with comments that I am intelligent but others won’t understand being unified & fighting for our constitution full force & saving protests for individual issues once we’ve secured our democracy. So frustrating but I will keep speaking out for a We the People united front.
Wow, couldn’t have said it better. We have an uphill battle, the activists and more dedicated people will have to decide quickly what kind of Country do we want. It’s class warfare, but I am afraid large portions of our Population are not tuned in. The ones that do, are tuning into the media owned by billionaires. Warren Buffet explains the war between the rich and poor is real. The Rich are winning. The stupid culture wars are winning too. We can’t stop it, unless more people engage to stop the madness.
Excellent! Thank you.
You expressed so well what needs to be done as it just gets worse daily! I hope everyone takes notice of this well informed response❣️👏
All to the point, and well said. I would only add, in addition to all those leaders, people of influence and expertise to step up and join the battle, each of us has the most fearsome weapon of all, one that the Destructionists cannot fight — our imagination. The old tactics and missions have failed us, and are obsolete. But it is our imaginations that can forge the new tactics and missions that will enable us to endure and eventually prevail. Imagination is the one thing they have tried to kill throughout history. But they cannot kill it. Each of us has it, and it is always there to be used, and the time to use it is now. "Resisting Tyranny — Tactical Innovations Part 1" may offer a few ideas, https://redslider.substack.com/p/resisting-tyranny-tactical-innovations
Sarah, I salute you on your comments. How great it would be to see the people gather and put a hard stop to the evil that is growing in DC. Trump needs to be investigated for crimes against humanity. What he did to the immigrants by sending them to El Salvador exceeds all the crimes we know he has committed. Truly evil. If he is not stopped his seed may replace him. A little Donald he is says his mother.
Bravo!!!
Use this spreadsheet to call/email/write any of our representatives as often as possible. Not just your own state reps, reach out to those in other states. Be as loud as you can and share this. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit
“good trouble.”
Congressman John Lewis, indeed.
Awesome. Thank you. Does anyone have access information for the Supreme Court?
To the top right on the Senate tab (main tab) is a link on how to send them a message (email). I don’t know if you can message them individually - I will look
Yes, you can write to the Supreme Court. You can send a letter to the Supreme Court, or you can email the public information office for more urgent or time-sensitive inquiries.
Here's how you can do it:
1. By Mail:
* Address: The Supreme Court of the United States, 1 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20543.
* To: You can send letters to individual justices or to the Chief Justice. If you are sending to an individual justice, you can address the letter as follows: "The Honorable (full name), Justice, The United States Supreme Court".
* Content: The letter should be concise and to the point, focusing on one specific topic.
2. By Email:
* Email Address: pio@supremecourt.gov.
* Subject: In the subject line, indicate that you are inquiring about something specific.
* Content: Keep the email concise, short and to the point.
Important Considerations:
* Format: When writing a letter, use proper formatting and address the letter as instructed above.
* Content: Be respectful and avoid making personal attacks or using inflammatory language.
* Purpose: Consider the purpose of your letter. Are you requesting information, expressing an opinion, or trying to influence the Court's decisions?
* Specificity: If you have a specific question or concern, be as specific as possible in your letter or email.
* Official Communication: For legal matters, it's essential to follow the official procedures for filing petitions or briefs.
If you wanted to express your opinion on a specific case, you could address the letter to the Chief Justice or a specific justice, and provide your argument in a concise and respectful manner.
This morning as an Example: Send the letter to each individual justice. They are: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Their address is: Justice (fill in name), One First St NE, Washington DC 20543
(My letter)
Dear Chief Justice Roberts,
There is nothing more important than expediting the decision-making regarding how the lower courts should handle President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
The Supreme Court ruled 127 years ago said then, and since then, that the text of the Fourteenth Amendment, enacted after the Civil War, says that all babies born in the Unites States are automatically U.S. citizens.
Respectfully I request that you steadfastly uphold the rulings addressed 127 years ago and the Fourteenth Amendment of our nation’s Constitution and address this matter with the urgency it requires.
Thank you.
(My Name)
Thanks. I’m on it!
Yes, you can write to the Supreme Court. You can send a letter to the Supreme Court, or you can email the public information office for more urgent or time-sensitive inquiries.
Here's how you can do it:
1. By Mail:
* Address: The Supreme Court of the United States, 1 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20543.
* To: You can send letters to individual justices or to the Chief Justice. If you are sending to an individual justice, you can address the letter as follows: "The Honorable (full name), Justice, The United States Supreme Court".
* Content: The letter should be concise and to the point, focusing on one specific topic.
2. By Email:
* Email Address: pio@supremecourt.gov.
* Subject: In the subject line, indicate that you are inquiring about something specific.
* Content: Keep the email concise, short and to the point.
Important Considerations:
* Format: When writing a letter, use proper formatting and address the letter as instructed above.
* Content: Be respectful and avoid making personal attacks or using inflammatory language.
* Purpose: Consider the purpose of your letter. Are you requesting information, expressing an opinion, or trying to influence the Court's decisions?
* Specificity: If you have a specific question or concern, be as specific as possible in your letter or email.
* Official Communication: For legal matters, it's essential to follow the official procedures for filing petitions or briefs.
If you wanted to express your opinion on a specific case, you could address the letter to the Chief Justice or a specific justice, and provide your argument in a concise and respectful manner.
This morning as an Example: Send the letter to each individual justice. They are: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., and Associate Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Their address is: Justice (fill in name), One First St NE, Washington DC 20543
(My letter)
Dear Chief Justice Roberts,
There is nothing more important than expediting the decision-making regarding how the lower courts should handle President Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship.
The Supreme Court ruled 127 years ago said then, and since then, that the text of the Fourteenth Amendment, enacted after the Civil War, says that all babies born in the Unites States are automatically U.S. citizens.
Respectfully I request that you steadfastly uphold the rulings addressed 127 years ago and the Fourteenth Amendment of our nation’s Constitution and address this matter with the urgency it requires.
Thank you.
(My Name)
Thanking you TJ🫶
Thank you!!!
What do you mean?
The fact is that this has been done by many already: look where it got us?
If people are first deciding that calling/writing/emailing might be a good idea — now well over the first 100 days — I’m embarrassed for them.
‼️ Reread Mary Trumps piece (last nights). THERE NEEDS TO BE A SHIFT IN HOW WE ARE FIGHTING BACK!
‼️ Read it again. Then again. ‼️
Mary Trump points out exactly what the shift in action needs to be…and while reaching out at this point is, at this point, as useful as Corey Booker’s filibuster.
It’s time to go to the Republicans. Their Town Halls: the opposition. That’s who we must confront. Get those who regret voting for him involved personally. Engage the Republican constituents and anyone who voted for him (or didn’t vote at all) and get them as enraged and active as the predominance of Dems attending the protests. The rallies.
Reread the piece Mary Trump stacked last night!!!!
It seems the point was missed by many (and I’ve only read a handful of comments!).
While I agree, that doesn’t mean we have to stop calling/emailing/writing. I personally think we need to do everything possible.
Keep calling/writing/emailing, if that is how you wish to put your energy out there politically. But don’t expect our elected representatives and political party alone to fight - and win - this battle for us, or to protect us from the ravages of the current regime. Our electoral system has proven that it is no longer capable of single-handedly overcoming this existential threat to our national spirit. The fight has come to each of us.
Our words and actions must be directed beyond the politicians - at fellow Americans we encounter in our day-to-day lives. Each one of us must openly exemplify the ethical model we want restored, and no longer tolerate self-seated and ignorant behavior in others out of some kind of misplaced sense of equanimity and “right to their opinions.” That might mean walking away from certain neighbors, friends and family, refusing to brook any respect for their narrow and malignant beliefs. That’s the real definition of “making good trouble,” and it requires more personal courage than phone calls and letter-writing alone. It means showing up and calling out in person. Be the light you wish to see in the world.
I definitely feel like we can do all of that. The volume of full voicemails, phones that don’t stop finding, inboxes that only increase even when constantly responding to others, mail showing up, that says something too. I am going to protests as well, but I don’t want to be quiet and seem complicit between protests. I want to make nonstop noise, however I can.
Every interpersonal encounter is an opportunity to assert our beliefs with our authentic voices and firm resolve. It need not be adversarial or loud. But it must be constant and appropriate to the circumstances. That is how the zeitgeist is established, and how the ship is turned.
I agree
Republicans live in fear of trump. He has dirt on a few/some/a number of/many members of Congress. It very well could be their past involvement with trump himself and Epstein and young girls.
Others who may not have had that involvement know the wrath of trump and how he can destroy a person’s career with two words.
It’s fear.
Very few have the integrity or courage to do the right thing as Cheney and Kinzinger have done. This has gone on far too long. Trump is destroying so much as he has promised he would. We should have believed him. He has no reason not to, he can get away with everything. That must stop.
It’s clear ‘writing to your congressperson’ is not moving anyone or anything to change. It’s almost past time but there needs to be a large scale team effort to get all these errors corrected. Someone much wiser than I should have assembled a team and created a plan long ago when trump first began to interfere with everyone’s way of life. We need a plan in place right now and immediate action. Someone needs to use the same words as a hero in 2001,
“Let’s Roll.”
And get it done.
maybe something in here you're looking for? https://redslider.substack.com/p/resisting-tyranny-tactical-innovations
I suggested the town hall thing months before anyone one used it. It is one tactic, and it should be redoubled (though it seems to be fading). There are a few others here, that I don't see anyone even thinking about,
https://redslider.substack.com/p/resisting-tyranny-tactical-innovations
Meg , that’s terrific. A lot of work!
Thank you! Yes it was, but worth it to bombard the offices of those who are supposed to represent us 💙
You are 1000% right. Many Democrats have failed us. There should have been a line after Corey Booker. We can't count on politicians in Washington to fight. They are too confortable. We have to get out there and fight by whatever means necessary to take our country back from these fascist fuck!
Actually, during Cory Booker's speech, 35 of his Democratic colleagues and one Independent colleague asked him questions, which allowed him to rest. The two senators with the most questions were Chuck Schumer and Chris Murphy – Murphy stayed with him on the floor for the entire speech.
You miss Mary's point. Each one of the 35 Democratic and Independent candidates should have stepped into Booker's place and continued the filibuster, or started a new one. This would have halted the Senate's function and prevented the passage of any corrupt Republican legislation.
I think her point was when the Dems were in power and had the majority they needed to put through major changing legislation and they didn’t. They stayed with the status quo.
Unfortunately, many of the necessary changes require amendments to the consultation to implement them.
As we have witnessed, you start with a sharpie pen and a flurry of Executive orders, fast statutes pushed and bludgeoned through Congress, and a whole lot of other tactics you never thought you'd have to use. You stop the roof from caving in, then you worry about the nice paint job you'll need in the future.
Of course. An even worse mistake was after the election, for a few months when they had the same unlimited powers they were about to hand over to a Mad King, and knew what he could do with them, the opted to drone on with their "peaceful transfer of power" swan song. They gave it away when they knew better and could have done something about it.
I sent this out, just a few days after the election:
www.poems4change.org/dark-ages/harris-openletter.pdf
Unfortunately, they don't have the imagination to do that.
Why don’t we have MORE like Booker and Murphy?
Very inspiring. So what did his speech inspire? What real action emerged from that impassioned plea the day after? Who remembered it two weeks later? What should we tell our kids who may be living in a despotic tyranny a thousand years from now, if they even survive our folly? "Gee kids, sorry. We couldn't keep it. But, gee, we made a hell of a speech!"
Exactly! Politicians in Washington are way too comfortable. They're all wealthy and out of touch.
They've forgotten or they have NO idea about the struggle the American people have to suffer on a daily basis. No liveable minimum wage, health insurance is designed to punish the sick instead of help. Two or three jobs just to pay rent. Now they're trying to take away the basic services that the vulnerable rely on??
The greedy wealthy and evll billionaires have run america into the ground.
Now they're selling USA to the highest bidder.
They've done enough damage.
They're NOT doing their jobs, they're NOT working for the people.
This is why I believe in term limits. You should be a senator or representative no longer than 10 years total. After that, go back to your community, work there, be productive move on with your life. That would avoid ALOT of corruption. Also, we wouldn’t have good people in their 80s & 90s making policy decisions for the good citizens- median age is 38 years old. I’m sure this sounds disrespectful and ageist. But for the record, I am also considered elderly.
I agree, Corey Booker should have been followed up by other Dems and/or independents! Even if they could have only done 5 or more hours at a time consecutively . I was registered as independent. until I moved to Florida. In order to vote in the primaries I had to pick a party R or D. Closed primaries are ridiculous! We must fight back to end these closed primaries & the huge corporations who funnel millions of $$$ to the likes of trump running for any office!
They aren’t going to save us….. it’s up to us!
I don't think we get it, us ain't gonna save us from 'us', anymore than a democracy can protect itself from democracy (as we have seen.)
We have to dig deeper now and do more than we’ve been doing. It’s not always easy to know what that looks like though, right? I’ve been to four protests this year, I’ve made calls. I’ve gone to meetings convened by progressive groups. Plus all these cool Substacks and YouTube channels I subscribe to so that I can be as informed as possible.
But a few weeks ago, I sent a message out to my neighborhood email list asking if anyone would be interested in getting together to strategize about our current situation. I didn’t mention names or political parties, but people knew what I was talking about. We have seventeen people in this new group now. We share resources and ideas. We’ve contacted people in the legal system to see how we can be supportive to them. We’re getting plugged in to a bigger group in town that’s been around a while, learning from them, helping them.
My point is that even though it already feels like a lot, we can do more. And who knows when a certain spark will ignite and become something bigger? We have to be expansive in our thinking.
So great! So positive, thankyou.
You've given me hope and inspiration. It's easy to get overwhelmed quickly.
I keep using this to keep me focused and upbeat. It works for me, and some of my friends tell me it works for them,
www.poems4change.org/public/lets-get-tactical.html
great, that is how you start. I offer this to your group to think about. Just food for thought, but maybe a few ideas worth thinking about,
https://redslider.substack.com/p/resisting-tyranny-tactical-innovations
The problem is: we keep expecting a President, when all Donald wants to be is a reality-TV star, as he was for 14 years.
And how do you get people to watch your reality-TV show?
Of course: by doing the most outrageous things imaginable, up to and including: filling your cabinet with the most absurd people walking this Earth, because you know their ridiculous level of incompetence will "make news"; running this country into the ground; destroying the world economy; having your masked thugs arrest innocent people on street corners; deporting hard-working, peace-loving people simply because they didn't happen to be born here, while kissing up to the deadbeats who were; and ad infinitum.
To paraphrase Shakespeare: "The play's the thing," and, thanks in large part to his reality-TV mentor, Mark Burnett, Donald is very, very aware of that—the best example being his comment after the disgraceful Oval Office meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy: "Well, I don't know what's going to come out of this meeting, but at least it was 'good television'."
Yes, you heard me right: after castigating and insulting the President of a democratic country who's losing thousands of his citizens every week, Trump's main takeaway from the meeting was that it was "good television"(!) And the corporate media—and the 74 million morons who voted for him—keep treating this guy as if he's a normal human being.
If someone has a clue how to change that, I am, as Ross Perot used to say, "all ears"!
Hello David... The problem is that too many Don't know what Reality is Now... The Popular Culture is Entertainment Obsessed... Too Few Want To Know What The 'Real, Real' Is... DJT is indeed trying to Run his Administration as a Evil Demented 'Reality' TV Show for His Minions...
I've stopped watching that t.v. show and obsessing over the endless "Days of our Lives" details. I've stopped paying any attention to what they do, or how to change them. Instead, I'm entirely focused on what we can do. For that, I've started here:
https://redslider.substack.com/p/resisting-tyranny-tactical-innovations
I have always been the one in my family to speak out what I believe is good or bad, though I have been physically and mentally abused from one parent from that, I decided to do something about it, especially with 3 young children, and cheating husbands, and domestic violence I joined the US Army in order to provide my children more than just a high school education, they paid for my nursing school and paid me to get it finished, And after 40 plus years of nursing, retired 5 years ago, and now the enemy now is our own self-centered, ego idiot that now ignoring the us Constitution that I raised my hand, and an Oath for the rest of my life for our country, and we have to start getting this situation in the right direction from now until 2028. I constantly contacting our state representatives in Congress whenever I don't accept or agree with the choices made illegally in the Senate, House and Congress and especially the administration. We can and we will change the next Administration together!!! NOT alone.
There is plenty of blame to go around for the debacle America is in right now. (Shameless plug: I explore those in my recent post “The Shame of Blame” https://open.substack.com/pub/thestormbynorm/p/the-blame-game?r=1qaj9v&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true)
I agree with you, Mary, we can do this, but we’ve got to start figuring it out right now. Your posts are so helpful to the rest of us. We need your insight. Thanks for all you do.
agreed, except that Mary's posts don't tell us what we can do, they are more about what is being done to us, and how bat-shit crazy the people doing it are. That doesn't really get us to the next step. Maybe this has a few ideas to do that,
https://redslider.substack.com/p/resisting-tyranny-tactical-innovations
Unfortunately I don't think Kamala had enough time and didn't do enough interviews to change people to vote for her. Most I know just plain didn't vote and they were Trump supporters and didn't want him either. I live in a red state and south of me in this state are the real Democrats, but not enough to turn it blue. I voted for Kamala thinking good about it, but Musk was out there paying people to vote for Trump and nobody stopped him! To me that right there was an abuse of power and bribery. I still stand up and will still vote Democrat especially after this disaster!
Thank you for speaking truth to power. I agree with you and could have written much of what you wrote. I do what I can but it seems like it is never enough. I feel very powerless and vulnerable. As a Sr. with only SS and Medicare to survive, I live in constant fear they will rip it away. My health is such that working is not an option. It seems like they want us all to just die. They do not see our worth or even as human beings deserving life and liberty. Sadly, I have developed such a hatred for trump and all who support him. I daily wish for his demise which is not how I have ever felt or thought about anyone before this living hell we are in. I don't like this about myself but it is a knee-jerk reaction every time I see him or hear his voice. I just wonder if we will ever come back from all the devastation they are creating on a daily basis.
You’re not alone in your sentiment
Great article Mary. Powerful, moving words. I get inspiration and hope from people like you that there are enough of us to win this fight for kindness, compassion, rule of law, truth, accountability, courage, our country. We fight for our country against hatred, lying, cowardice, bigotry, divisiveness, cruelty, etc. Please don’t give up or give in. Folks like me need you, your position, your words, your strength now more than ever. Thanks Mary for your courage and commitment.
Ditto; well said Steve.
Thanks Mary, you give all of the strength, motivation and a keen insight into what is going on, along with the will to come together and fight the fascist bastards!
Beautiful. Thank you, again Mary. #resist
“And the non-voter is the largest voting bloc in this country: 80 million people just couldn't be bothered to show up, because they didn’t care or didn't understand or didn’t feel spoken to.”
This is patently untrue Mary and I’m super disappointed that you would continue to push this kind of nonsense. The vast majority of these people did not vote in the 2024 presidential election because of the ELECTORAL COLLEGE. I am SO FUCKING TIRED OF READING ARTICLES ABOUT THE FUCKING “TRUMP VOTER” AND WHY HE/SHE/THEY CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR TRUMP. They are a MINORITY in this country. Who gives a shit why millions of stupid fucking people do what stupid fucking people do?
In the words of the French European Minister: “We cannot leave the security of Europe in the hands of voters in Wisconsin every 4 years.” This is so true! And not just in the context of international affairs but in every aspect of domestic life here in the US as well. If there were no Electoral College your uncle would NEVER have been elected president. Most people who don’t vote in presidential elections do so because THEIR VOTE DOES NOT MATTER. Why should the vote of someone in PA be worth more than that of a voter in CA? Or TX? Or UT? Or NY? This has nothing to do with your uncle or the GOP or even fascism per se — and has everything to do with our completely bonkers fucked-up way of running a national election for POTUS every four years. Your uncle may be the avatar of his cult followers’ id who gives them permission to be the worst version of themselves. But it is the motherfucking Electoral College that greased the structural skids to allow fascism to take root in the United States. And this is not news. People have been trying to abolish this goddamn fucking thing for fucking CENTURIES with absolutely no success.
So — yes — are your uncle and his most devoted followers absolute pieces of human excrement? You bet they are. But don’t blame them for the complete fucking dystopian nightmare we find ourselves in today. Blame it on the Electoral College. Please.
I really wish they would get rid of parties and the electoral college. And just let people vote on peoples policy and who they are not just part line and screw the electoral college.
“They” who?
Painful reading but beautifully expressed. It explains a lot that is reminiscent of how a gerrymander decades ago operated in my state of Queensland to bring out the worst in us.
In a few hours my choir's concert is going to end with The Battle Hymn of the Republic (audience to join in). I'll be with you and my American friends in spirit.
Thank you, N.Z.
Mary, thank you for your insightful column. However, please get the 2024 popular votes CORRECT.
77.3 million voters voted for Donald Trump and 75 million voters voted for Kamala Harris.
https://www.cnn.com/election/2024/results/president
If your "74 million" voters voted for Donald Trump, then Kamala Harris would be president.
Thank you.
Other parts of the election tallies and reports are telling as well. A very clear and decisive but not unified majority voted for some one other than tfg. That stat gives me 'some' peace. The reporting of voter disqualifications and voter barriers, especially in the important decisive states is deeply troubling - that 'must' end. The ability and franchise to vote must become sacrosanct. We must push back hard on that.