Saturday, January 11, 2025

Tips to Keep Democracy Alive in 2025

George Lakoff & Gil Duran: Advice for defeating the authoritarian threat.

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"For almost eight years, 'Democracy Dies in Darkness' has been the slogan of the Post ... As the lights there continue to go out at an alarming rate, we'll see how long it takes Mr. Bezos to kill the motto, too." charlotteclymer.substack.com/p/democracy- ...

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-- Charlotte Clymer (@charlotteclymer.bsky.social) January 8, 2025 at 11:04 AM

Comments

Lots of good advice here for surviving the next 4 years. Some examples:

Be Proactive. Defeating authoritarianism will require a movement of dedicated citizens. Get involved in your community. Show up to protests and meetings. If you can, donate to organizations doing crucial pro-democracy work. You have more power than you think. Resolve to get involved. Build local power! Authoritarian regimes gain strength by undermining local institutions and ignoring community voices. Participate in your city council, school board, or neighborhood association. Support candidates, companies, and initiatives that prioritize democratic values at the local level. A strong democracy starts with empowered communities.

Don't argue with his supporters. It doesn't work. Your chances of converting a pro-Trump voter are virtually zero. At this point, their support for him is a physical structure in their brains. Instead of arguing with Trump supporters, focus on motivating fellow pro-democracy citizens to get more active.

Remember: This is a regime. Trump is not acting alone. He is a puppet of powerful would-be oligarchs who want a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, and for the billionaires. Elon Musk's role as Trump's co-president is already creating tension among Trump's supporters. When the American people realize that the country is being run for the benefit of a handful of greedy billionaires, the tide will turn. Expose them.

#1 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2025-01-11 10:05 AM

- "Remember: This is a regime. Trump is not acting alone. He is a puppet of powerful would-be oligarchs who want a government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, and for the billionaires."

"Nuh-uh!" - Robson Visitor

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2025-01-11 03:49 PM

Well, to be fair, the American people elected the Trump grifting family to sit in the White House and take from the poor to give to the rich. We all know what he did the first term, what he will do the second. I call it the "unforgivable vote" that was cast for trump for it installed, perhaps permanently , an oligarch caste that will run from the shadows, as in Russia.
One could look at that vote and say we are not in reality a democracy, with a rule of law that says no one is above the law. We are, instead, a banana republic.

#3 | Posted by Hughmass at 2025-01-12 06:38 AM

#3,

I think liberals like you are starting to be in the minority. Your alarmist view is turning moderates off, because moderates know your statements are --------.

#4 | Posted by boaz at 2025-01-12 11:15 AM

your statements are --------.

#4 | POSTED BY BOAZ

His "statements" are true.

His predictions are just that. Predictions.

Will we become an oligarchy?

Is it really possible? Sadly Yes.

Only Time and the strength and will of the American People will determine whether it comes true or not. But honestly (if YOU could actually BE honest) it's not looking real good for America atm.

#5 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-01-12 02:11 PM

Boaz doesn't believe in democracy. He's okay with republicans in North Carolina overturning election results because they lost.

#6 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-01-12 02:25 PM

We live in a Plutocracy.

#7 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-01-12 02:27 PM

#1 tip:
hope that long-overdue MI or his next stroke does the job.

#8 | Posted by e1g1 at 2025-01-12 07:50 PM

re: #3 | Posted by Hughmass at 2025-01-12 06:38 AM

Certainly not a banana republic.

I have asserted for the last year or two we are now a larger version of Hungary: a corrupted Oligarchy where the courts are handpicked, and the judicial system is stacked with loyalists to enact one party's agenda. Trump skirting justice on very open-and-shut cases is a perfect example.

Certainly a counter-argument could be made to the SCOTUS of the 1970s, but their agendas where for the good of the many, not the greed of the few or the backwards-looking social vision of bribe-taking SCOTUS judges.

#9 | Posted by e1g1 at 2025-01-12 07:54 PM

I would agree that arguing with trumpets is futile. However, you can and should needlessly them. Remind them of how Trump has ignored them and reneged on his promises.

#10 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2025-01-13 09:47 AM

BWAAAAAAAAAAAA

this is the funniest thread I"ve read here lately.

--and by 'funniest" I mean pathetically stupid.

"the authoritarian threat.".........leftist definition are shvt.

#11 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-01-13 10:33 AM

tips to survive or whatever from a place...wapo....totally complicit in the election information fraud of 2020

as well as complicit in the biggest lie in perhaps our entire history.....

that joe biden was 'fit to serve "...and to a lesser degree but no less important to their now total lack of

journalistic credibility......anything to do with hunter biden.

but hey...that's okay leftist lemmings.....it's always good to start the day off with a laugh.

#12 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-01-13 10:39 AM

#12

Says the -------- who voted for a demented rapist.

#13 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-01-13 10:42 AM

"Share a positive message when possible. Trump and his ilk want the country to be angry, fearful, and polarized because this is the soil from which their darkest policies will grow. While it's essential to stand in fierce opposition to his regime, we must also offer a positive message centered on the value of freedom and what it really means. When the pendulum swings against the Republicans, we must be ready with a compelling and moral vision for a better future. Stand for something."

LOL, this is impossible for Democrats. The good thing it is one of the MANY reasons they got smoked in November. They love to be in a permanent state of despair.

#14 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-01-13 12:01 PM

Remind them of how Trump has ignored them and reneged on his promises.

#10 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2025-01-13 09:47 AM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

Is he going to pardon his son?

#15 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-01-13 12:02 PM

Is the bloated------------- going to pardon any more cop killers?

#16 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-01-13 12:04 PM

From the summer of mostly peaceful protests and ACAB to concern for cops. Weird.

#17 | Posted by gracieamazed at 2025-01-13 12:08 PM

Is the bloated------------- going to pardon any more cop killers?

#16 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-01-13 12:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

That was Biden who let out the international killers from Gitmo.

#18 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-01-13 02:39 PM

Nice try, fishpud. The noxious orange pedo released a convicted cop killer.

www.wesh.com

#19 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-01-13 03:20 PM

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