Useful and Easy New Year's Resolutions

[MineralMan]

1. Get new passport - might need it.
2. Keep writing weekly emails to my Democratic legislators - they need support and encouragement.
3. Watch bills in Congress closely - can't let things slip by that are harmful.
4. Keep some emergency cash on hand - who knows?
5. Change all current passwords - who knows what Russians will hack next?
6. Copy all financial records to two different USB drives and store separately.
7. Breathe regularly and slowly.

Feel free to add yours, too.

[NightWatcher]

1. Retrofit my car for survival in the upcoming Mad Max hellscape

And the passport renewal thing too

[MineralMan]

2. Nah. Too early for that.

We'll have plenty of warning, I think.

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. You are one of the most useful posters here, most action oriented, but a question if I may.

#3 - Watch bills in Congress closely - can't let things slip by that are harmful.

You did a thread on this and it was good that you did, but here is my question: I will use a form of Reductio ad absurdum or just outright absurdism:

"A Bill in the House is introduced to make purple hats illegal, anyone wearing one in public will be subject to a ten year term in prison and a fine up to $1,000,000"

So we are aware this bill has been introduced in the House and considering who runs the house, purple hat haters, is likely soon to be on the way to the Senate, where the filibuster was removed the day before (all part of my whacky scenario, but I think this part is likely) and is being voted on next week - knowing full well Trump will sign anything if he sees a profit in it and it just so happens he just started a new company selling hats of all colors OTHER than purple. In fact his company name is "Hats But No Purple Ones."

What do we do other than calling our representatives who already is either for or against this and is unmovable?


(Technically this is not Reductio ad absurdum, but I like using that phrase, sounds fun)

[MineralMan]

4. That's a tough question.

I have no easy answer. About all we can do is make sure our own legislators are aware of issues. They often do not read all bills, and may not be aware of issues. I know that sounds unlikely, but it's true.

We can also engage in other forms of activism when a potentially dangerous bill is coming up for a vote. That can sometimes draw attention to the issue. Everyone has a different attitude toward alternative activism actions, of course. One form of it is simply to spread the word about things that are potentially dangerous. Social media and contacting the news media are ways to do that. That's something we all can do, even if we aren't comfortable with the typical forms of street activism. Petitions are popular forms of protest, too, although I question their actual usefulness.

We can also work toward the next election and try our best to elect new people to replace those who are ineffective or on the other side. That's a more long-term solution, but also the most permanent and effective.

We may be entering some dangerous times when it comes to our rights. Staying vigilant and being prepared to do whatever we can do is important. We must avoid being distracted by things that don't matter and focus on those that do matter. Republicans are experts at diverting people's attention from what they're really up to. We have to stay on top of what's going on that isn't at the top of the news. Our media is always prone to covering the easy stuff. We have to watch for stuff they don't cover thoroughly.

Sadly, I don't have any better answers.

[Eliot Rosewater]

5. Fair enough, and smart.

What we need is a national meeting place for the "Resistance" not unlike "Occupy", but in this case it would have to be internet based.

Where people can meet to organize protests, letter writing campaigns and so on.

I think the short term solution has to be influencing these assholes with NUMBERS. I dont mean illegal or violent methods, I just mean making it so they cant get a cup of coffee or burger without seeing and hearing from many of us.

But how do we do that? They rely on must of us barely having time to sleep, let alone do that, as we are busy paying our bills etc.

We need a national movement, a "Resistance" that is legal, non violent and very well organized.