Survival tips for Trump 2.0
“Hard not to feel like we’re all losing our minds when it’s just plain as day that what Musk is doing is obviously, flagrantly illegal,” writes Chris Hayes on Threads.
So, self care is going to be important especially for the near future. There’s a lot to take in. Others have already tuned out. But I have enough Irish on both sides that my attitude comes from the old joke, “Is this a private fight, or can anyone join?” Tuning out is not an option. That way lies helplessness, and I loathe feeling helpless. Action is the antidote.
Europeans accustomed to taking advice from the U.S. have some for their American friends facing an authoritarian regime. Watch for all those little changes that amount to big changes:
“I never liked the metaphor of the frog in a slowly boiling water, but it applies very well to our situation,” Srđan Cvijić at the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy said. “One decision at a time, our regime has stripped Serbia of its democratic system. It didn’t come overnight. First they captured the media, then the judiciary, then other independent institutions, then they started rigging the elections, and finally they are trying to strip us of the right to freedom of assembly.
“So my advice to Americans is never relax, always be on guard, democracy is not given, not even in the land of the free,” Cvijić said. “Things can go backwards, you have to fight daily for your rights, otherwise someone will take them away from you.
“The most important thing to defend is solidarity and human decency,” Cvijić added. “Do not allow the enemies of democracy to lower your own standards of political behaviour.”
Márta Pardavi, the co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, has related advice:
Pardavi said it was important to dodge the trap of mirroring the political tactics of those in power.
“Avoid siege mentality that, even inadvertently, fuels polarisation. Polarisation undermines trust in public institutions such as the media and the courts,” she said.
“The lower the level of public trust in these institutions, the easier it becomes to capture them. Strive to strengthen institutions by strengthening public trust in them. In turn, ensure these democratic institutions are deserving of this public trust by performing their duties fairly and effectively. Hold them to account.”
My advice for those who have ears to hear is the Europeans’.
The common message from Europe’s pro-democracy activists was to keep fighting.
Pavel Slunkin, a former diplomat from Belarus, said: “The worst thing that Americans could do now is to stay out of politics.”
I know and hate it: Democrats have been really, really slow out of the blocks. But there is movement. Talk is cheap. Action is better. Even if it’s just leaving a voice message with your representatives, filling out an online response form or sending an efax. To Republicans and Democrats. Regularly. Not one and done.
Brian Stelter sums up advice from AOC’s livestream last night:
While the right delights in hearing about the chaos, the left is trying to organize resistance. “If you are watching the news right now, and feeling overwhelmed by the constant headlines and developments… first of all, know that you are not alone,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on an Instagram Live last night. And second, “this is exactly what this administration is trying to get you to feel.” She said “the paralysis and shock that you feel right now is the point. They are trying to induce a state of passivity among the general public.”
Her video lays out the master plan behind Musk-Trump’s individual actions. If you have the time, her suggestions are deep into her video. Trumpists want to divide and conquer? Two can play that.
If you live in a community with a lot of immigrants: Know your rights. (Chicago prepared residents for immigration raids, and when ICE showed up, people told them no.)
If Muskco offers you (federal worker) a “buyout,” don’t accept. Make them make you. Do not comply in advance.
Work with community organizing groups. “We need to be little grains of sand” in the authortarians’ gears. Slow them down and you’ll reduce the damage they can do.
Show up for special elections that impact you (like Elise Stefanik’s open NY seat). Even if Democrats lose, make Republicans lose by more.
Democrats are finally emerging from their stupor after a delayed response. Part of that, AOC explains, is because Trump waited to launch the “shit show” until Congress went out of session and members went home to their districts.
She recommends using every single procedural action to slow down action on Trump nominees in the Senate. “Block every damn thing that we can” while all this Muskish firestarting continues.
Tell your Democratic senator not to vote for Trump’s nominees. Do not assume they will because there is a D behind their names.
Adam Kinzinger offers simple advice for returning MOCs. Actions, not talk.
“Lock in and make the choice,” advises AOC. “This will be a long battle but we will win.”