Posting on DU---or any other progressive site---without actually taking some action

[Atticus]

to oppose the ongoing destruction of our democracy, is practically useless. Everyone knows that we are "preaching to the choir" here. Unless you are extremely thin-skinned, DU is a risk-free zone for Democrats and progressives. Unless it inspires someone else to DO SOMETHING OUTSIDE THEIR COMFORT ZONE, the "greatest" post caused not a ripple in the political pond.

Everyone here can do something to oppose Trump and his brownshirts. If you have physical limitations, you can call, text, write Congress, the White House, candidates, and your friends and neighbors and let them know you know what is being done in our name and that you strongly disapprove. Feel free to go all Howard Beal on them: "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this any more!"

If you can spare a couple of bucks, contribute to a liberal candidate or a group like the ACLU or Southern Poverty Law Center.

If you are fit and able--- and that decision is your to make---march, sit in, protest, canvass door to door, attend town halls. Hell, maybe even get arrested! (I saw wheel chairs, walkers and oxygen tanks at yesterday's march)

My point is that if you SAY our abortion rights, gay rights, civil rights, Social Security, pre-existing condition coverage, etc are in mortal danger, ACT LIKE YOU BELIEVE IT!

Not at all meant to discourage posting on DU, but please ask yourself if that's really all you are capable of contributing.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Yes, good advice.

Also, write LTTEs to your local paper (the comments sections tend to be kind of demented but you could post there, too). Lawn signs, t-shirts, bumper stickers, anything that gets your message to the public.

[Gothmog]

2. I agree

Get out into the real world and try to change policies. I spent last weekend at the Texas Democratic State Convention which was both helpful to my sanity and important in meeting candidates. MJ Hegar was there. Beto and Lupe both gave amazing speeches and I am more hopeful about making a change. Beto will be in town of Tuesday and I have been informed that I have been put down as a major donor to a fundraiser later in August.

I volunteer a great deal of time on voter protection efforts. I helped train 200+ poll watchers for 2016 and we turned Harris County blue. A poll watcher who I trained in 2012 was elected to the head of the county tax office which means that she is charge of voter registration (Texas used to have a poll tax and so voter registration is controlled by tax offices). We used to have to sue the tax office to get sufficient voter registration forms in languages other than english. That is not an issue this cycle We are organizing for 2018 and will be training even more poll watchers.

The parties have improved the technology so that you can now phone bank from your house. Go to a party meeting and meet some candidates. They need help.

Texas will turn blue. It will take a great deal of hard work.