Jon, Thank You for giving those of us who don’t know what to do to make Congress listen another way. I know there is help in writing and calling our Democratic Congressional leaders with scripthowever, I do agree that we are constantly “singing to the choir.”
Sorry my hand slipped. Getting back to it: I always wondered how the one of a kind scripts and phone calls actually were paid attention to. The idea to use our own words in writing to the Republican congressman by mail is such a smart way to get our voices heard. I’ve sent this on to others who ask, “What can we do? How do we stop this?” Again, Thank You.
I don’t begrudge Elon Musk any of his achievements but you are absolutely spot on. Musk is a narcissist just like DJT. Even if he thinks he’s smarter than everyone else about rocket science. He isn’t. He has nothing over Wernehr Von Braun who practically invented aerospace engineering before anyone knew what it was at the time. Von Braun despite signing up for the Nazi army at least had some humility and a level of spirituality in his later years that he never had before as a child or a young man. Von Braun had a couple hundred German scientists working as a team under him while in America, it took all of them with their specialized knowledge to accomplish what no man had ever done before. And as for Musk, someone else, a mentor perhaps, helped him achieve his best engineering achievements. That is how it works in R&D.
I have always said that Democrats suck at messaging. Every frickin' Republican on the Sunday news shows say the exact same thing...or should I say repeat the exact same lies. And they name their bills in creative ways so that those who only hear the title, think the bill will help them, when in actuality it throws them under the bus. For example, the "Right to Work" legislation had all the folks saying, "HELL YEAH, I have a right to work!" What the bill actually did was allow big money to reduce salary and benefits of those who lived in "Right to Work" states. Every bill that focuses on keeping Government out of individual health care decisions should be couched as "Right to Life". We need to also stop ignoring rural counties because we believe we can't win them. That too is BS. It's the rural counties that have the most to lose under the Trump administration. We should be out there each and every day communicating how Trump/Musk actions are actually hurting them.
Everything you suggest, many of us are already doing, with not much visible result. But we ought to keep doing it, as a wave takes time to build. On the other hand, here's a simple suggestion, based on the action of ordinary Danish people upon the occasion of some of their fellow citizens being asked to wear a yellow star to identify themselves as Jewish. Let's all wear black armbands with a velcro patch allowing us to attach whichever outrage is assailing us on any given week to that patch. With one of those "NO" slashes through it. Here's an opportunity for some small business startup to make some money. I'll buy one for myself and all of my friends and relatives.
You are a meat thermometer programmed to tell the truth until the meat is cooked to a crisp. Suggest workable ideas. A majority of Americans oppose Trump/Musk actions; we must be rallied to clear undeniable action. Lead or get out of the way!🤬
The wider public yawns, like Trumps toughness, his aggressiveness, and anxiously waits for the beginning of the baseball season. When Trump ignores the Supreme Court no one will take up arms, a sharp dip on the market, a tumble will mobilize the non Trump billionaire… we may need a recession/depression before we see change, or, perhaps, it’s already tool late
Thanks for this effort. I'd like to say that it gives me hope, but I'd be lying. As you point out, "The big question will be whether Trump, per Vance, will defy court orders ala Andrew Jackson’s famous line, quoted favorably by Vance: 'Justice Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.'” I believe that Trump, Vance and Musk have already demonstrated that they are willing to ignore the laws of the United States. If they are not somehow brought to heel quickly, it's definitely over for democracy. I knew that things would be bad when Trump won the election, but I actually didn't think they'd be this bad. Your thoughts on what can be done leave me more than a bit frustrated because the only one of them that is really something we as individuals can do is write to our Republican representatives. I live in the same town you do, Jonathan, and we don't have any Republican representatives. One of the things that has been driving me mad is the feeling that the Democrats in office have been doing too little and that there's not much that we constituents can do. One of the few things so far that's helped me combat the resultant despair is the 2.0 version of Indivisible's manual ("Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink"). Recommended reading. Of course, much of this is my depression talking. Like you, and like Charlie Brown, I'll keep trying to kick that football. Aaaaaargh!
That Indivisible manual has some good stuff in it. As it says, it's important to engage in community-building activities that may not directly involve Trump, and get involved in local and state elections. These things build muscle that helps with larger fights.
Excellent ideas all but I’m concerned that all these efforts will fail because the Trumpian politicians can’t (won’t) stand against this tyranny.
I believe the heroes on the front lines in federal agencies need to be highlighted and lionized by our leaders. It will take resistance, civil disobedience, strong action in myriad ways to resist…..an organized, non violent revolution that affects all our day to day activities.
If “the silent majority “ wakes up and resists, we can prevail.
If not, no amount of litigation can stop the madness.
I agree, but the judiciary remains the first line of defense, along with the press. When Trump gets bad publicity (on say $400m to Tesla cybertrucks that can't drive in the snow), he often backs off, as he did in that case. So we have to keep fighting across a broad front.
What sort of guarantee do you expect Jeffries to get for Dems votes that would be actually honored????? by this group of liars and autocratic enablers?
We've been here before. Get grounded and see wins elections this year and the mid terms.
Jon, Thank You for giving those of us who don’t know what to do to make Congress listen another way. I know there is help in writing and calling our Democratic Congressional leaders with scripthowever, I do agree that we are constantly “singing to the choir.”
Sorry my hand slipped. Getting back to it: I always wondered how the one of a kind scripts and phone calls actually were paid attention to. The idea to use our own words in writing to the Republican congressman by mail is such a smart way to get our voices heard. I’ve sent this on to others who ask, “What can we do? How do we stop this?” Again, Thank You.
It’s called “Meals ON Wheels”
Couldn't have said it better myself. No, I really couldn't!
"...and the Democrats are seasick." Perfect. That's exactly how I feel.
I don’t begrudge Elon Musk any of his achievements but you are absolutely spot on. Musk is a narcissist just like DJT. Even if he thinks he’s smarter than everyone else about rocket science. He isn’t. He has nothing over Wernehr Von Braun who practically invented aerospace engineering before anyone knew what it was at the time. Von Braun despite signing up for the Nazi army at least had some humility and a level of spirituality in his later years that he never had before as a child or a young man. Von Braun had a couple hundred German scientists working as a team under him while in America, it took all of them with their specialized knowledge to accomplish what no man had ever done before. And as for Musk, someone else, a mentor perhaps, helped him achieve his best engineering achievements. That is how it works in R&D.
The Democratic Party is a sinking ship.
I have always said that Democrats suck at messaging. Every frickin' Republican on the Sunday news shows say the exact same thing...or should I say repeat the exact same lies. And they name their bills in creative ways so that those who only hear the title, think the bill will help them, when in actuality it throws them under the bus. For example, the "Right to Work" legislation had all the folks saying, "HELL YEAH, I have a right to work!" What the bill actually did was allow big money to reduce salary and benefits of those who lived in "Right to Work" states. Every bill that focuses on keeping Government out of individual health care decisions should be couched as "Right to Life". We need to also stop ignoring rural counties because we believe we can't win them. That too is BS. It's the rural counties that have the most to lose under the Trump administration. We should be out there each and every day communicating how Trump/Musk actions are actually hurting them.
Excellent points.
Everything you suggest, many of us are already doing, with not much visible result. But we ought to keep doing it, as a wave takes time to build. On the other hand, here's a simple suggestion, based on the action of ordinary Danish people upon the occasion of some of their fellow citizens being asked to wear a yellow star to identify themselves as Jewish. Let's all wear black armbands with a velcro patch allowing us to attach whichever outrage is assailing us on any given week to that patch. With one of those "NO" slashes through it. Here's an opportunity for some small business startup to make some money. I'll buy one for myself and all of my friends and relatives.
"Muskrats." I love it.
You are a meat thermometer programmed to tell the truth until the meat is cooked to a crisp. Suggest workable ideas. A majority of Americans oppose Trump/Musk actions; we must be rallied to clear undeniable action. Lead or get out of the way!🤬
The wider public yawns, like Trumps toughness, his aggressiveness, and anxiously waits for the beginning of the baseball season. When Trump ignores the Supreme Court no one will take up arms, a sharp dip on the market, a tumble will mobilize the non Trump billionaire… we may need a recession/depression before we see change, or, perhaps, it’s already tool late
We may not even have a democracy.
Oh, well . . . . .
Thanks for this effort. I'd like to say that it gives me hope, but I'd be lying. As you point out, "The big question will be whether Trump, per Vance, will defy court orders ala Andrew Jackson’s famous line, quoted favorably by Vance: 'Justice Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.'” I believe that Trump, Vance and Musk have already demonstrated that they are willing to ignore the laws of the United States. If they are not somehow brought to heel quickly, it's definitely over for democracy. I knew that things would be bad when Trump won the election, but I actually didn't think they'd be this bad. Your thoughts on what can be done leave me more than a bit frustrated because the only one of them that is really something we as individuals can do is write to our Republican representatives. I live in the same town you do, Jonathan, and we don't have any Republican representatives. One of the things that has been driving me mad is the feeling that the Democrats in office have been doing too little and that there's not much that we constituents can do. One of the few things so far that's helped me combat the resultant despair is the 2.0 version of Indivisible's manual ("Indivisible: A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink"). Recommended reading. Of course, much of this is my depression talking. Like you, and like Charlie Brown, I'll keep trying to kick that football. Aaaaaargh!
That Indivisible manual has some good stuff in it. As it says, it's important to engage in community-building activities that may not directly involve Trump, and get involved in local and state elections. These things build muscle that helps with larger fights.
Tom (and everyone else), you can get involved this way:
FEBRUARY 28:
https://thirdact.org/texas/2025/02/10/u-s-economic-blackout-planned-for-feb-28/
MARCH 15:
https://substack.com/@nolkaphanem
IN PROCESS:
https://generalstrikeus.com/
ALSO IN PROCESS:
https://jointhepeoplesunion.com/
Your article today confirms my belief that term limits for all branches is needed.
Will never happen
Jon,
Excellent ideas all but I’m concerned that all these efforts will fail because the Trumpian politicians can’t (won’t) stand against this tyranny.
I believe the heroes on the front lines in federal agencies need to be highlighted and lionized by our leaders. It will take resistance, civil disobedience, strong action in myriad ways to resist…..an organized, non violent revolution that affects all our day to day activities.
If “the silent majority “ wakes up and resists, we can prevail.
If not, no amount of litigation can stop the madness.
You are correct Jon. By the way,your book on Jimmy Carter was phenomenal.
I agree, but the judiciary remains the first line of defense, along with the press. When Trump gets bad publicity (on say $400m to Tesla cybertrucks that can't drive in the snow), he often backs off, as he did in that case. So we have to keep fighting across a broad front.
What sort of guarantee do you expect Jeffries to get for Dems votes that would be actually honored????? by this group of liars and autocratic enablers?
It's a good question but deals on Capitol Hill are often codified or otherwise formalized, which makes it harder to renege without consequences.