Big money and hate have won, for now. Now begins the resistance.
What a sad day for America and for the world.
The new confederacy has won, for now. Once again, minorities and women will be downtrodden and devalued. And although they don't realise it, poor white MAGA Americans will be downtrodden too, just like happened in the South, as their social security and Medicare and Medicaid are slashed, and their worker's rights taken away.
But democracy overcame the confederacy before, even though it never entirely went away, and it can be overcome again.
But this will not be achieved by fighting rank and file Republicans. The winners won by dividing the people. While the core MAGA cult may be irretrievable, they are a small minority. It should be possible to rescue the rest, as happened with Jen Senko's dad. Invite them to your house and have left wing radio or TV on. Get them hooked on a hobby that leaves no time for listening to radio. If they say they are Christian, invite them to a church or bible study that teaches the truth.
Rather than talk politics directly, remind or tell people of the good old days, and of the bad ones (e.g. pre Roe, and of feudal systems - when 'strong men' were kings). Tell stories that celebrate the good in people, where they defeat bullies, and make them compelling. Show everyone kindness, whoever they voted for. Write stories about YOUR dreams, YOUR heroes.
They see kindness and decency as weak and woke, but they are wrong. It takes strength to hold one's temper, to see the other's point of view, to resist being sucked in, to return kindness for contempt.
Remind or tell Christians that Jesus was not a nationalist, he did not seek to become the earthly King of Israel, despite what they said.
But Jesus was also not a pacifist. Jesus told his disciples to buy swords, but not for vengeance against oppressors. He was not violent. The worst he did was overturn the merchants' tables: "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it ‘a den of robbers", he said. Republicans are doing the same to the government. He said, "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." So every act of revenge committed by Trump and his associates is anti-Christian. And the oppression of the Jews then was real, not imagined as by the Republican so-called 'Christians'.
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as we". This was not the pacifist stance that people who have not studied the bible and its historical context imagine. It was in fact an act of quiet rebellion. It worked because the Romans had a code of honour, however, which the Republicans do not appear to have. Can anyone think of any passive acts of rebellion that might work?
One way would be to build businesses that can outcompete the capitalists, perhaps co-ops, while still offering better wages and benefits. Another would be to invent energy sources that outcompete big oil and nuclear and which are better for the environment. Or invent more energy efficient tools and appliances. If you aren't the entrepreneurial or inventive type, support those who are.
The billionaires have taken over, and they want to cut everything that benefits the people so they can have their tax cuts, and they want people to be desperate for work so they can offer lower wages and poorer conditions. Those of you who have enough money, support small businesses old and new. Buy radio and TV stations and news papers and sites if you can. The Republicans are likely to crash the economy, which would be a good time to buy. Make things that they will want to spend their money on more than on politicians.
Do everything you can to support those who tell the truth.
Do everything you can to reduce your own carbon footprint.
Racism, misogyny, white supremacy, 'Christian nationalism' - all kinds of hatred may have been tools that the right wing used to divide America and cause Americans to vote for a return of the Dark Ages. But the people behind Trump, whether they want tax cuts or they have a sick ideology, have used other tools - lots of dark money, lots of lies, lots of disinformation.
We need to focus on keeping the flame of democracy and goodness alive, and to avoid supporting the opposite. Not total siloization, but only carefully targeted forays, since every click benefits their platforms. Try not to support the businesses whose owners support Trump, particularly those that pollute the Earth or add to global warming or treat their workers badly.
Whatever you do, don't be like them. Be the uniter. Be the spark. Be the flame. Be the underground resistance.
I think it’s time to start a real movement to hit the pockets of all the corporations who own the country. Eliminate Amazon prime purchases. Start community swapping/sharing of excess goods. Shop local and learn to cook like we’re living in the Great Depression. Beans, soups, cheap, grow our own greens….
All women could STOP buying impulse purchases on their phones, they are exploiting us in every way especially with our spending. We can STOP IT!! We don’t need makeup, more face creams, we can shut down the gravy train to Amazon, Walmart, all corporate monopolies…
We can also close our pussies to any man who voted for Trump!!
We have the power. We’ve had it all along. We just need to be brave enough to revolt and boycott
It is my hope that Harris will be advised not to go through with conceding the election until the Russian interference can be investigated. This is NOT a free or fair election!