One of the most glaring differences between the U.S. and other countries where this type of authoritarianism has risen, is the presence of a wide and deep class of people just below the oligarchs who are going to start seeing their assets devalue. I have already heard from some of my Trump supporter "friends" who are finding that the financial institutions are beginning to feel the heat from the crazy that this man has inflicted onto the country in the past few days. There is no way that this isn't going to spread. Business, banks, financial institutions, and private equity lenders require one main ingredient: stability. When stability goes to the side, they begin to pull back and insulate themselves and their money depositors and investors from potential losses. I've been in the real estate business for over 40 years and I've seen the ups and the downs. Never seen anything like this. But, that said, you will soon start hearing that the Republican donors are ringing up their bought and paid for politicians and telling them: "I didn't sign on tor this." The business of America is business. We've gone from one of the best and most stable economies to potentially one of the worst in a manner of days. No way this isn't going to start creating blowback in the financial world and if the Donnie knows anything, he knows not to mess around with those guys.
Jared, if I were to organize a local group to create strategies for the resistance, what do you suggest we would talk about? I think so many of us on Substack want to know how to fight, but we don't know the first steps to take beyond simply connecting with each other.
This is an excellent question. I think I would start with local needs. What people are being hurt by this administration and who has been hurt by the consensus that led us here. Where are the glaring holes and who are the vulnerable communities? If not that, what project needs done in your area or what could be accomplished? You can either take it on yourselves or find a politician to talk to / pressure. Or, if that isn't your speed, figure out a way to offer moral support to the people in the crosshairs, or paper a neighborhood with literature or signs decrying this thing. The whole point is to get involved, start locally, and start making connections with other groups. As you link up and grow you're going to find a tremendous amount of power you didn't know was available.
Perhaps produce and distribute flyers or posters that tell people what their rights are in case of arrest or confrontation. Who to call or notify. Distribute that info widely.
Chris Murphy! Senator Chris Murphy is doing everything he can to alert the public to what is really going on with Trump and the threat it is. I'd love to see Murphy and AOC lead the resistance movement.
When I wake from out of the fog of sleep, my tears of the night before remember frozen funds for the poor and in need.
Then the coffee maker begins its pre-programmed run and whispers, “How about just a little java?”
I take those sips while I shake my head at the threats against Colombia's bravado.
Then my rumbling stomach says, “Should we have some oatmeal and maybe some almonds too?”
“All right,” I say, though nothing really is, as the maelstrom of anger over the deluge of illegal, unethical orders begins to swirl once more inside a brain that cannot yet fathom the how or why.
Then my aching knee pops and crackles and says, “Well, what if we just did a few of those exercises that usually help?”
In between the counting of reps and sets, I sadden at calculations of how my bank account will slowly empty from the tariffs of course we all will pay.
Then my body, glistening just a bit from exertion interjects, “Okay, but maybe a hot shower will relax all those stressed muscles, huh?”
Sitting once again on my bed, heavier in my mind than body, I cannot find a reason to move because what will the future hold now?
Then my cold feet ask me, “Those soft, fluffy socks in your drawer might be nice, right?”
After struggling to get from one hour to the next, the end of the day comes and my false sense of somehow finding control in scrolling for what's been happening, accumulating each hour upon hour, captures my fingertips and my attention.
Then the night begs, “We should sleep now.”
I pretend I don't hear, then later, much later, I curse at the clock and rage at the shadows that harbor my now worsened fears.
Then sleep says sweetly, “I'm ready when you are.”
“I can't yet,” I reply. “Just one more click, one more like, one more scroll. I know the answer is there!”
Then exhaustion murmurs, “Well, you give me no choice.”
Sleep takes me against my will until the morning when all those little islands of my daily life will (I hope) rescue me from drowning one more time so I can fight the good fight that speaks to me loudest of all.
Be prepared to do what? These type of articles always define the situation/problem but offer little in the way of suggested actions. Help/ direction is needed by the troops on the ground.
I’ve spoken continuously about needing to be prepared for mass protest or mass action, including work stoppage and civil disobedience. It helps to find people who will fight with you.
Can you elaborate on what you mean by "being prepared"? Do you mean physically or just emotionally and financially? I just became a paid subscriber so if you've written about this before I have not yet seen it.
Make and hand out flyers at your local grocery store. Meet people and make connections. Call small “coffee meetings” of those connections to discuss other local actions.
As trying as all of this is, we need to recognize the opportunity presented here. We have been moving this direction so very long. This is our chance to build it back better. This is a long game and will take a lot of work. But Jared is right. There is an energy building, and we use it for all it is worth.
It would have made sense, after spelling out what everyone knows, if it didn't wimp out at the end with "be prepared." It would have been better if you'd told people to pick up on my Substack for some good thinking about what to do.
Here's today's:
Can we come up with an ask for humanity? How to move from helplessness to action:
One of the most glaring differences between the U.S. and other countries where this type of authoritarianism has risen, is the presence of a wide and deep class of people just below the oligarchs who are going to start seeing their assets devalue. I have already heard from some of my Trump supporter "friends" who are finding that the financial institutions are beginning to feel the heat from the crazy that this man has inflicted onto the country in the past few days. There is no way that this isn't going to spread. Business, banks, financial institutions, and private equity lenders require one main ingredient: stability. When stability goes to the side, they begin to pull back and insulate themselves and their money depositors and investors from potential losses. I've been in the real estate business for over 40 years and I've seen the ups and the downs. Never seen anything like this. But, that said, you will soon start hearing that the Republican donors are ringing up their bought and paid for politicians and telling them: "I didn't sign on tor this." The business of America is business. We've gone from one of the best and most stable economies to potentially one of the worst in a manner of days. No way this isn't going to start creating blowback in the financial world and if the Donnie knows anything, he knows not to mess around with those guys.
Just finished the Muckrake podcast and I agree that AOC should start running now for 2028. Are you aware if she is interseted?
Jared, if I were to organize a local group to create strategies for the resistance, what do you suggest we would talk about? I think so many of us on Substack want to know how to fight, but we don't know the first steps to take beyond simply connecting with each other.
This is an excellent question. I think I would start with local needs. What people are being hurt by this administration and who has been hurt by the consensus that led us here. Where are the glaring holes and who are the vulnerable communities? If not that, what project needs done in your area or what could be accomplished? You can either take it on yourselves or find a politician to talk to / pressure. Or, if that isn't your speed, figure out a way to offer moral support to the people in the crosshairs, or paper a neighborhood with literature or signs decrying this thing. The whole point is to get involved, start locally, and start making connections with other groups. As you link up and grow you're going to find a tremendous amount of power you didn't know was available.
Perhaps produce and distribute flyers or posters that tell people what their rights are in case of arrest or confrontation. Who to call or notify. Distribute that info widely.
Chris Murphy! Senator Chris Murphy is doing everything he can to alert the public to what is really going on with Trump and the threat it is. I'd love to see Murphy and AOC lead the resistance movement.
Islands of Daily Living
When I wake from out of the fog of sleep, my tears of the night before remember frozen funds for the poor and in need.
Then the coffee maker begins its pre-programmed run and whispers, “How about just a little java?”
I take those sips while I shake my head at the threats against Colombia's bravado.
Then my rumbling stomach says, “Should we have some oatmeal and maybe some almonds too?”
“All right,” I say, though nothing really is, as the maelstrom of anger over the deluge of illegal, unethical orders begins to swirl once more inside a brain that cannot yet fathom the how or why.
Then my aching knee pops and crackles and says, “Well, what if we just did a few of those exercises that usually help?”
In between the counting of reps and sets, I sadden at calculations of how my bank account will slowly empty from the tariffs of course we all will pay.
Then my body, glistening just a bit from exertion interjects, “Okay, but maybe a hot shower will relax all those stressed muscles, huh?”
Sitting once again on my bed, heavier in my mind than body, I cannot find a reason to move because what will the future hold now?
Then my cold feet ask me, “Those soft, fluffy socks in your drawer might be nice, right?”
After struggling to get from one hour to the next, the end of the day comes and my false sense of somehow finding control in scrolling for what's been happening, accumulating each hour upon hour, captures my fingertips and my attention.
Then the night begs, “We should sleep now.”
I pretend I don't hear, then later, much later, I curse at the clock and rage at the shadows that harbor my now worsened fears.
Then sleep says sweetly, “I'm ready when you are.”
“I can't yet,” I reply. “Just one more click, one more like, one more scroll. I know the answer is there!”
Then exhaustion murmurs, “Well, you give me no choice.”
Sleep takes me against my will until the morning when all those little islands of my daily life will (I hope) rescue me from drowning one more time so I can fight the good fight that speaks to me loudest of all.
It was great to see the blowback today in response to Trump’s orders to pause federal funding. It gives me some hope.
Be prepared to do what? These type of articles always define the situation/problem but offer little in the way of suggested actions. Help/ direction is needed by the troops on the ground.
I’ve spoken continuously about needing to be prepared for mass protest or mass action, including work stoppage and civil disobedience. It helps to find people who will fight with you.
Can you elaborate on what you mean by "being prepared"? Do you mean physically or just emotionally and financially? I just became a paid subscriber so if you've written about this before I have not yet seen it.
Make and hand out flyers at your local grocery store. Meet people and make connections. Call small “coffee meetings” of those connections to discuss other local actions.
As trying as all of this is, we need to recognize the opportunity presented here. We have been moving this direction so very long. This is our chance to build it back better. This is a long game and will take a lot of work. But Jared is right. There is an energy building, and we use it for all it is worth.
It would have made sense, after spelling out what everyone knows, if it didn't wimp out at the end with "be prepared." It would have been better if you'd told people to pick up on my Substack for some good thinking about what to do.
Here's today's:
Can we come up with an ask for humanity? How to move from helplessness to action:
https://suzannetaylor.substack.com/p/can-we-come-up-with-an-ask-for-humanity
I needed to read this today. Thank you!
https://substack.com/@rbdgeologist1/note/c-89258177
Excellent!
Now we're talkin 👊🏼