How to Avoid the Circular Firing Squad

With Action Items

It’s depressing, isn’t it? All the Democrats who are firing at one another, as if we are the enemy. And if you ask some people, they’ll tell you that the Democratic Party **IS** the problem. “The Party” being elite, educated, liberal, white people, generally above a certain age, varying from 50 - 65.

The accusation from the far left is that the party depends too much on monied people who contribute large sums of money to consultants who run candidates for the kinds of campaigns that no longer matter in a world which has fundamentally changed.

There is huge vitriol between competing factions of the party. Everything from the far left that insists we throw out all the “fossils” and concentrate only on “the working class”. To the moderates who want to keep the structure, and just go to “the kind of places” that “we” don’t go to, and talk in terms “they” will understand. (Don’t ask, it’s offensive.)

I have been doing research. And I have 3,000 words written on how the middle wants to message, and why. I have over 1,000 words on just how to define “the working class” (it’s not as simple as you think). I have 1,500 words on how to leverage progressive messaging in ways that avoid being offensive.

BUT

None of it will help, because we need fewer words and more action. Except for some of you readers, the world has moved on from reading deep dives, understanding motivations, and considering the benefits of nuance. When I say that this breaks my heart, you don’t know the half of it.

It is on us, WE THE PEOPLE!

And so, Action Items

I have put up Action Items before, and I have heard from people who like to explain to me why they cannot do any of them.

If you cannot do any of these things, you don’t need to tell me. And there ARE some reasons why people can’t do things that are legitimate. So, yes, if you are incarcerated, these would be impossible. For the person who has recently been released, please check with your lawyer to ensure that you would not be in contact with other felons who might attend a large, public rally.

For the people who are home-bound, you can still talk to your care-givers and medical personnel with whom you interact: spreading the word counts.

For everyone else:

Bumper Stickers

Put a bumper sticker on your car. I just ordered “Hands off my Social Security, I paid my premiums” - whatever matters to you, get a bumper sticker and let people know where you stand. Nothing with big words, simple thoughts that resonate across the board.

Go to Your Local Public Library

The fascist regime cut funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which only has 75 people, and provides grants and research for libraries. Here’s their budget. I heard (but cannot find a written source for) that this could impede the ability of libraries to connect to the internet. Point is, besides education, they’re coming for our ability to access books.

• Show support for your local library by showing up.

• Thank the librarians and staff for all they do. Libraries run all sorts of terrific programs. Yes, reading-related, but some also have food and clothing drives for the communities. They even have public restrooms, which is great if someone is unhoused.

• If you can, make a financial donation: trust me, libraries need the money.

• Go to Dewey Decimal System Section 940.53¹. There you will find books on WW2 resistance action in Europe. Read the information. If you take out a book, return it as soon as you can so others can read it. It’s coming to this, and the more you know, the better you will be prepared.

• Remember, libraries are a great, safe, place to go because MAGA minions are stupid, don’t read, and don’t go to libraries.

Take to the Streets

We have a window of opportunity, and it’s closing fast, unless we ALL get out there. Sign up to attend a local event on 5 April for the Hands Off! nationwide protest. Here’s a partial list of supporting organizations. Go to mobilize and search “Hands Off” for events in your area. NOTE: some smaller protests are not on Mobilize, contact your local resistance group for more information.

I’ve written about this protest before - and this is our chance. Yes, you should attend town halls, and empty chair town halls. But also take ONE SATURDAY out of your life and help make this a giant success.

Make Politics Part of Your Daily Life

Talk to everyone you know. Talk to your neighbors and your co-workers. Converse with other parents at games and events. Other people at the dog park. People on line behind you at the supermarket.

I know what you’re thinking. “I can’t do that, I’m a shy person.” Or “I live in a blue area, this would be preaching to the choir.” Or “I’m afraid the person might be a Trumper.”

DO IT ANYWAY

Avoid mentioning anything party-oriented when you first speak to them, instead, speak from the heart. You can use opening statements can be along the lines of:

• I can’t believe that our local taxes are going up to recover the funds we’re losing because the Department of Education shut down.

• I am terrified because it looks like I’m going to lose my Social Security. I’m going to have to go back to work, and I’m 72 years old.

• I’m really sad that we had to cancel our vacation for this summer - we were going to visit National Parks, we thought it would be great for the kids, but now so many are going to be closed.

• I cannot believe that if you search for people buried at Arlington, you can no longer find anyone who wasn’t a white person.

You get the idea. Start a conversation. This past week, I had to call HR where I work. My fundamental approach to HR is that they’re there to protect the company and not me, but the call had to be made. A half hour later, the person with whom I spoke ended up signed up for the 5 April rally in her geographic area.

And yes, there will be Trumpers. One was assigned to a team with which I need to work peripherally. She explained to me that she was thrilled the the Department of Education was being done away with, because schools should be under local control. I explained that schools ARE under local control, and this would just raise her taxes for the monies no longer allocated from the Feds. She called me a liar. Yeah, you’ll never get the idiots.

But TRY. You’ll be amazed at how many people are completely unaware of what it going on, how it impacts them, and that they want to get involved once they realize what is at stake. If you honestly cannot talk to people, at least restack and share this post so others will try.

An Invitation

If you live in the Chester County area, you are cordially invited to come hear me speak on 7 April. It’s an interactive presentation on the 2025 local elections, how the outcomes will impact your life, and how we leverage these elections to stand in solidarity against the fascist regime.

The event is free, but if you want to throw in $5 to help offset the cost of the venue, feel free. Email dragonfliesunite@gmail.com for further information and to register.

That’s it for today. Tomorrow, how Columbia University broke my heart.

1. My mother was a librarian. She made me memorize the Dewey Decimal system when I was a kid.