10 Things We Can All Do to Protect Democracy

[littlemissmartypants]

Democracy Docket

10 Things We Can All Do to Protect Democracy

By Marc Elias

January 25, 2025

The most common question I receive is how everyday citizens can help in the fight for democracy. My advice, take the first step, start with something small and see what works for you. Here are ten things all of us can do.

1. Stay engaged
When all the news is about Trump and pardons and lies, it is easy to want to retreat and stop paying attention. Don’t. It is precisely when things are hard that we must all lean into remaining vigilant and informed.

2. Help Democrats
The success of any opposition movement rests on the opposing party taking power. This is not a minor detail; in our system of government, it is the essential goal. Next time you want to attack a Democrat for being too much of this or too little of that, realize that you are only helping the GOP. Instead, find a Democrat you support and volunteer or contribute to their campaign.

3. Don’t do Trump’s work
This is more than simply resisting Trump’s actions; it is refusing to accept his false assumptions. When he says he wants to abolish birthright citizenship, do not accept the premise that he has the power to do so. Stay grounded in the truth: The U.S. Constitution is clear, Trump is powerless and the courts will reject his efforts.
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https://www.democracydocket.com/opinion/10-things-we-can-all-do-to-protect-democracy/

❤️pants

[GreenWave]

1. Good advice there littlemisssmartypants.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. Thanks, GreenWave. ...

I really appreciate your reply.




❤️

[Easterncedar]

3. We need to step and keep stepping up

And someday we will be proud to say we defeated the fascists, like our parents and grandparents did.

[mdmc]

6. Yes

[LeftInTX]

4. 4. Don't grade on a curve

This goes both ways. Do not hold Republicans to a lower standard and do not hold Democrats to a higher one. When a Republican does something normal, recognize it is normal not exceptional. When a Democrat does something normal, recognize it is normal and not terrible.

OK...gotta admit I did admire Liz Cheney for doing something normal. And when they do something normal it is rare.
And yes, when Democrats are doing their job, it is not terrible. When they vote NO against Trump's appointees, instead of protesting in the streets, it is not terrible.

[OldBaldy1701E]

5. You want to protect democracy?

You want to stop these oligarchs from taking over the country?

Remove capitalism from our collective societal model. Stop using it as a basis for anything. It is too corrupted and too old fashioned for a progressive nation. Our worship of the green piece of paper is what has led to this.

But... that would be hard... so...

[AmericaUnderSiege]

7. "Don't do Trump's work" is the most important point.

Last edited Thu Feb 20, 2025, 06:10 AM - Edit history (1)

1. Avoid saying his name.

Pick an appropriate euphemism, or just descriptor. This blunts the effect of the billions spent over a decade vandalizing the world with his name. Or even better, when a supporter mentions his name, say "Who? Never heard of him.," and say it dead-eyed. It will enrage them.

2. Don't use terms that imply authority in any connection with him or anyone else who is.

There are no "policies" from these criminal insurgents, only "dictates," and "threats," and "demands." There no office titles among, legally, so give them your own or go by the name for the crimes they're committing.

3. Don't use the titles of institutions they're illegally occupying to describe their actions. Always ascribe it directly to them individually, or create a different name for the now-corrupted organization.

4. Don't talk about something just because they do. They're talking about it to provoke you into talking about it, to make a thing where none exists, because nonsense issues are under their control. Most of the time it's just noise with no probative value. Stick to reality like glue and hit them where you know they most actually fear, not just where you hope to make them fear

5. The answer to dictates from them is No. This is very simple and crucial: These mentally unstable criminals are not the United States government;it's a foreign-backed insurgency installed by an illegal campaign and is now robbing the furniture from our house. So, the answer "No." Not an apologetic criticism, just "Hell no. Your piece of paper (executive order) means nothing, and ours (The Constitution) means everything. Come and get it, buster."

[LetMyPeopleVote]

8. Welcome to DU