It's Time

We need to pick a side. And act.

Everything I read now, and everywhere I go (which is limited), people are talking.

They’re fed up, and done with whatever passes for elected government. The frustration is palpable. Increasingly, the discussion has shifted from ‘why is this happening’, to ‘what do we do about it?’.

The first step in solving a problem lies in acknowledgment. You have to be able to say, “This is wrong. We need to fix it.” I’m going to step out here and say that there’s likely, or will be soon, a critical mass of people who believe this. I know I do.

The second step lies in picking a side. Decisions are rarely binary - there are more than just two sides to damn near every question, but this one’s pretty simple: You either support the actions of the current government, or you do not. History is instructive here. After WWII, it was nigh to impossible to find an unreconstructed Nazi. There were, however, plenty of ‘good Germans’, who turned a blind eye, put their heads down, and let the regime get on with what they wanted until it was too damn late to do anything.

In case you wondered, we’re likely at that tipping point. If we let the government continue, they’ll consolidate their power in spite of being supported by a minority.

History tends to be instructive. Again, it’s not hard to look at what the current government is doing to understand that what we’re seeing is fascism. Every day, that position is reinforced by their actions. We now know, with the murder of Good and Pretti, that they will stop at nothing to achieve their ends, which appear to be a casus belli for the imposition of martial law and the suspension of elections, as well as to keep us all distracted so they can finish looting the treasury, gutting social programs, and create a nation of ‘us’ and ‘them’.

ICE is a hairsbreadth away from obtaining voting rolls in every state that didn’t support the current government (most states are fighting this) - and don’t make the mistake of believing that they won’t use this information to outright-disenfranchise enough people to render that state’s support of any other than rubber-stamped candidates who support the current regime (there are, it turns out, many ways to negate elections).

So, what do we do?

First, pick a side. If you agree with the government, then there’s no need to read further. If you don’t, there are some practical things you can do.:

1. Find ways to connect. There are groups in your area. Social media can help. Once connected, find something you can do. Everyone, regardless of age and ability, can do something.

2. Do you have experience? Then share it. It doesn’t matter if you’re old. In fact, that may be a ‘plus’. Did you actually attend protests in the ‘70’s against Vietnam or in support of civil rights? You probably have practical experience to share. Do it.

3. No time? Then donate. Resistance runs on time, money, and a lot of other things. You can help.

4. Yes - Call and Write. It doesn’t matter if your district is ‘red’ or ‘blue’ - these people need to hear from you. Congressperson or Senator is red? Let him or her know you vote - and you’ll be watching. Blue? Stiffen their spine by letting them know your criteria for getting your vote in ‘26 and beyond. Remember that calls are easy, and letters do get read, especially if there’s enough of them. Of immediate need is to tell your Senators that they need to vote to rein in ICE - there’s a bill ready for a Senate vote which, sadly, was passed in the lower House due to the defection of some Democrats. Start there.

5. Remember, all politics is local. Encourage your state governor to hold fast against ICE. Write your state’s AG and encourage them to work with other states which are investigating government agencies and their leadership with the goal of eventual criminal prosecution. If ICE is coming to your state (or are already there), encourage your local and state government to protect protesters.

6. Attend city council meetings. Yes; a lot of them are boring, and the details might make your eyes glaze over with boundary commission reports and planning department presentations, but many of these are being co-opted by the current regime to make it easier for ICE to target communities.

7. Get to know your neighbors. That Hispanic couple, two doors down? They might be afraid to go get groceries. If you’re white, you can offer to do it for them. Yes; it’s a shame to have to reduce this to race, but that’s where we are. Organize a block party. It’ll help when the balloon goes up to know who’s-who - and you might be able to sway a couple of minds.

8. Be inclusive. I have a neighbor who voted for Trump. He’s hurting now because of Trump’s policies. He’s a likely ally now. You might find similar people. Yes; they contributed to the problem with their vote - but every last person who is included in the resistance is one less that the government can manipulate. They’re not ‘deplorables’. They’re people.

9. Yes - protest. If you’re physically able, the next time there’s a protest in your area, attend. Numbers count. And yes - you could be hurt; even killed. I can’t candy-coat that or tell you that it’s a possibility. But again; that’s where we are.

(This is the first in a series. If there’s enough interest, next time I’ll be posting some practical suggestions for protest.)

Further Reading:

National Association of States Attorneys General - List of AG’s in every state, with contact information.

National Governors Association - List of governors with contact information.

House of Representatives - Website of the House, with contact info for each member.

U.S. Senate - Website of U.S. Senate, with contact info for each member.