What can I do? Contacting representatives doesn’t seem to be doing much. Encouraging people to vote, yes, but that assumes that we will have a fair election or an election at all. How do we stop this? I also don’t have the sense that the Democrats are doing much, or are able to do much. Am I missing something? And I ask the question in a…
What can I do? Contacting representatives doesn’t seem to be doing much. Encouraging people to vote, yes, but that assumes that we will have a fair election or an election at all. How do we stop this? I also don’t have the sense that the Democrats are doing much, or are able to do much. Am I missing something? And I ask the question in all seriousness- what can I and others do to stop what feels like daily takeover of agencies, freedoms, communication, truth and accountability?
You raise a very important question, one that concerns both our nation’s ills and our personal health and well-being.
As an observer, it seems to me the Democrats are doing the right thing politically. Trump is his own worst enemy, self-destructing before the nation’s eyes. By contrast, the Biden campaign is putting out positions and policies they intend to move forward if elected. They are not playing Trump’s game by rising to the foul bait he dangles every day. IMO, it’s the smart move.
And the Democratic House can’t do much at this point beyond passing legislation the Senate will refuse to consider. But Professor Richardson is in a much better position to speak to that issue – perhaps she will address it in a future post of chat.
Personally, I’m taking the advice of a trusted mentor, who is also a respected Psychiatrist. I told him how helpless I was feeling not being able to affect the course of events – not doing enough to push back.
His advice was to focus on my community, to volunteer, get involved, do as much positive work as I could locally. Of course, his advice doesn’t exclude donating money to campaigns or marching/protesting (although the latter is problematic right now as is the former if you have been laid off or worse) but it does focus one on positive goals that are achievable and good for our neighborhoods, towns and counties. And importantly, this work goes a long way towards building and reinforcing a sense of personal empowerment.
I don’t know if this advice is at all helpful, or speaks to your point directly, but I wanted to share it with you because it has helped me, and your post spoke to me – it felt so very familiar.
I agree. We feel like we aren't doing anything, and that nothing is being done. But we are. We are speaking out, and change is occurring all around us. For the better! It's so hard to see. But yes, starting at the local level is most constructive. It's like throwing a pebble in a pond. Thanks for sharing. I woke up feeling bad for myself this morning. You gave me hope!
Working at the local level is not just useful and therapeutic, it's critical. The Republicans have amassed the control that they have by focusing on gaining control over the State Houses and the Electoral College. As soon as they gained majorities in each state government in 2000 & 2010, they set about gerrymandering districts to trend Republican. It was a conscious, deliberate strategy going back to the Reagan and Gingrich eras and it worked. We need to work at the local level. We need to replace the "greed is good" culture that the latter day Greatest Generation preached and a segment of the Boomers bought into, hook, line,and sinker. Working at the local level is the only way we can change this.
FWIW, there are multiple efforts to get out the vote that always welcome more help. I'm writing letters with votefwd.org. A friend of mine sends postcards in connection with Grandmothers in Action - http://www.grandmothersforabrighterfuture.com/ - you don't need to be a grandmother to participate. Any local organizing will improve the odds against the November election results being cancelled - whatever works for you - sewing circle, school board, Black Lives Matter activism. Find what you can actually do.
The democrats won't do much. The problem is depending on private political parties to resolve institutional problems, which both parties exploit to their own benefit. The sooner folks realize that political parties presently exist to yield power and control to an elite few (many of whom are non-elected) the sooner we can come to better solutions.
In the meantime, mobilize, vote and be vocal and be active. If the November election fails to rid the nation of this debacle, then it is time for everyone to take to the streets and shut it down.
That said, I hope everyone "Votes Blue No Matter Who." Which, BTW means Democrat, even if they are not perfect. I have already encountered super lib conscience voters on Twit who won't vote for Biden because he is not behind universal health care. IDK who they plan to vote for but only tRump or Biden will be the next president. THAT IS THE ONLY CHOICE. I choose anyone but tRump.
Argue with them some if you are up to it. Point out that the odds of pushing a Biden administration toward universal health care are infinitely higher than the odds of pushing tRump and company in that direction. Suggest they organize now around doing exactly that, and vote Dem in November to make it possible.
I think the pandemic and economic recession indicate that universal healthcare in the US is long over due and Biden may be well-advised to re-posture and improve his position on the matter. Without such negative feedback, how else will his campaign be apt to change?
And my 86-year-old step-father has announced that he is NOT voting for DT this next time... I thought I would faint when I heard THAT!!! (Jury still out re who my 91-year-old mother is voting for...)
What can I do? Contacting representatives doesn’t seem to be doing much. Encouraging people to vote, yes, but that assumes that we will have a fair election or an election at all. How do we stop this? I also don’t have the sense that the Democrats are doing much, or are able to do much. Am I missing something? And I ask the question in all seriousness- what can I and others do to stop what feels like daily takeover of agencies, freedoms, communication, truth and accountability?
You raise a very important question, one that concerns both our nation’s ills and our personal health and well-being.
As an observer, it seems to me the Democrats are doing the right thing politically. Trump is his own worst enemy, self-destructing before the nation’s eyes. By contrast, the Biden campaign is putting out positions and policies they intend to move forward if elected. They are not playing Trump’s game by rising to the foul bait he dangles every day. IMO, it’s the smart move.
And the Democratic House can’t do much at this point beyond passing legislation the Senate will refuse to consider. But Professor Richardson is in a much better position to speak to that issue – perhaps she will address it in a future post of chat.
Personally, I’m taking the advice of a trusted mentor, who is also a respected Psychiatrist. I told him how helpless I was feeling not being able to affect the course of events – not doing enough to push back.
His advice was to focus on my community, to volunteer, get involved, do as much positive work as I could locally. Of course, his advice doesn’t exclude donating money to campaigns or marching/protesting (although the latter is problematic right now as is the former if you have been laid off or worse) but it does focus one on positive goals that are achievable and good for our neighborhoods, towns and counties. And importantly, this work goes a long way towards building and reinforcing a sense of personal empowerment.
I don’t know if this advice is at all helpful, or speaks to your point directly, but I wanted to share it with you because it has helped me, and your post spoke to me – it felt so very familiar.
I agree. We feel like we aren't doing anything, and that nothing is being done. But we are. We are speaking out, and change is occurring all around us. For the better! It's so hard to see. But yes, starting at the local level is most constructive. It's like throwing a pebble in a pond. Thanks for sharing. I woke up feeling bad for myself this morning. You gave me hope!
Working at the local level is not just useful and therapeutic, it's critical. The Republicans have amassed the control that they have by focusing on gaining control over the State Houses and the Electoral College. As soon as they gained majorities in each state government in 2000 & 2010, they set about gerrymandering districts to trend Republican. It was a conscious, deliberate strategy going back to the Reagan and Gingrich eras and it worked. We need to work at the local level. We need to replace the "greed is good" culture that the latter day Greatest Generation preached and a segment of the Boomers bought into, hook, line,and sinker. Working at the local level is the only way we can change this.
It spoke to all of us and your encouragement and common sense does as well. Thank you.
FWIW, there are multiple efforts to get out the vote that always welcome more help. I'm writing letters with votefwd.org. A friend of mine sends postcards in connection with Grandmothers in Action - http://www.grandmothersforabrighterfuture.com/ - you don't need to be a grandmother to participate. Any local organizing will improve the odds against the November election results being cancelled - whatever works for you - sewing circle, school board, Black Lives Matter activism. Find what you can actually do.
I Have letters ready to go out in October for Vote Forward.
The democrats won't do much. The problem is depending on private political parties to resolve institutional problems, which both parties exploit to their own benefit. The sooner folks realize that political parties presently exist to yield power and control to an elite few (many of whom are non-elected) the sooner we can come to better solutions.
In the meantime, mobilize, vote and be vocal and be active. If the November election fails to rid the nation of this debacle, then it is time for everyone to take to the streets and shut it down.
That said, I hope everyone "Votes Blue No Matter Who." Which, BTW means Democrat, even if they are not perfect. I have already encountered super lib conscience voters on Twit who won't vote for Biden because he is not behind universal health care. IDK who they plan to vote for but only tRump or Biden will be the next president. THAT IS THE ONLY CHOICE. I choose anyone but tRump.
Argue with them some if you are up to it. Point out that the odds of pushing a Biden administration toward universal health care are infinitely higher than the odds of pushing tRump and company in that direction. Suggest they organize now around doing exactly that, and vote Dem in November to make it possible.
I think the pandemic and economic recession indicate that universal healthcare in the US is long over due and Biden may be well-advised to re-posture and improve his position on the matter. Without such negative feedback, how else will his campaign be apt to change?
He has also shown that he's willing to listen and modify positions for the benefit of the many.
I have cautioned my kids (who are in their mid-40s) that a vote for anyone but Biden is a vote for 45. I hope, I pray, that they listen to me.
And my 86-year-old step-father has announced that he is NOT voting for DT this next time... I thought I would faint when I heard THAT!!! (Jury still out re who my 91-year-old mother is voting for...)