There are many social media groups leftover from 2016 that are in self care mode but gearing up for what’s next. We won’t quit. Getting others to pay attention and shining a light on what’s happening might be our only superpower in regular life ( non media patriots).

We have gone inward. This isolationist America will eat away at itself & lose ground as the leading nation in the world. youtube.com/live/05uelml...

What worries me most is a significant number will be tuned in and entertained by this and want more ‘excitement’ each week.

Know why? We're tired of MSM, pundits, & social media types throwing the same crap at us every day when it comes to Trump. Find your own mistakes from last time & do better when it comes to reporting, posting on the topics. Just have some dignity w/o the hyperbole. Help us navigate it w/o the b.s.

That’s what they voted for.

It will be hard to ignore when it hits their pocketbooks.

Pretty sure this is what we’ve already been doing the past 10 years.

If the mainstream news outlets weren't so abhorrent, people actually might pay attention and do something.

That's already happened. They're about to get slapped in the face with a 2x4 of reality. And when they ask what happened, I'm going to point the finger and say "you did this!"

I won't let people ignore what happens during the Trump Dictatorship in *my* neighborhood. I intend to bear Witness to what I see and hear, and Testify about the facts to everyone. I'm doing it now, and I won't stop. #13 - Practice corporeal politicts. #GoodTroubleMaker @timothysnyder.bsky.social

I feel like I’ve been screaming into the abyss.

You mean the Americans that didn't vote for a traitor? Today will mark the second Sunday this year I won't watch a single AM talk show. Literally turned off the news on the 7th and refuse to turn it back on. I'm shooting for ignorance is bliss. #GoColts

When our own dem elected leaders are marching us head first into fascism, it’s hard to muster the strength to fight back.

It is so hard knowing what to do. So painful watching the news, we have to turn it off for our mental health. But I have found with my local small democratic committee, we provide mutual support and think together of small, positive things we can do. And, personally, exercise, stay healthy.

We must prevent a sense of exhaustion and defeatism and powerlessness from taking hold. Even among the best , it is tempting to duck and run. Do not shame. Do not assume. Encourage small doable steps.

People need a to-do list. Imagine what we could do if a hundred influencers heavily promoted a specific list of, say, "20 Actions" that people can take in their daily lives to resist and help a bad system fail.

It is sad that 90 million eligible voters or 36% of the population didn’t even bother to vote… They are as much to blame for what is about to happen as the people who voted for Trump.

Agreed

Exactly!

You can pay attention without marinating 24/7. I don’t have enough life left (62) to give more of it to this doom grieving.

This is a vastly different population than 1970 say. The population today is more focused on personal entertainment and narcissism and opposed to previous generation that read papers and watch the nightly news.

Thats what happens happened in Russia

That has already happened. That’s how we got here.

Actually Real Housewives fans are generally more liberal than the general electorate. Strong women casts.

Also

I get it. We’ve got PTSD. Now, more than EVER, we need to organize groups to care for one another & gain strength.

A huge part of our mission now is to build out better information infrastructure so the truth reaches every single American.

This is how we got here--with the added feature of smart people, for the most part, avoiding elected office

After trying to educate my family in the US, I just have to take a break for my mental health. But, as someone else said, give us a game plan, and I'll jump back into the fray.

They tuned out right away.

Well, I can't blame my neighbor if our society allows for the misinformation being peddled; when important information (Epstein's trove) is kept from the public; when governments fail to do their duty (14th Amend. vs DJT), and so on. I don't think that "apathy" is the concern.

For the most part what else is there? We donated. We wrote postcards (my two candidates won!). We read and read and read. I have no idea what else to do now. Oh look - the Bills are playing the Chiefs today!

Sad but true.. until it impacts them

Not the Americans who voted

FWIW, I am one those people that are so disgusted with tfg I temporarily detuned. But the realization of just what you said made me realize that tfg wants you to tune out. I NEVER do anything tfg says. I'm about 85% there.

Eventually it'll catch up with them (the small town dipshits who keep voting republican) and they'll deserve everything they get

It is very difficult to remain on high alert 24/7 without burning out. We all need to step away now and again to re-energize but then must get back in the ring.

You guys are trying to hide from the righteous anger of Americans at you and people like you. The massive reform is coming

I cannot take hearing his name, seeing his ugly face, or hearing his voice. I can’t watch the news shows talk about him non-stop anymore for my own sanity. So I will avoid the TV, but not what is going on. I can be informed without rubbing my own nose in this tragedy.

I want a guide on what citizens can do in a dictatorship to influence government. Should I quit my job and engage in pointless protests that are ignored are violently put down?

I think we need to pay attention. It’s even harder after this election since many of us are so exhausted and feel helpless and disappointed. I have never been so shocked at the morality issues of this election and how many hypocrites are in this country. I thought we were better than this.

This is how and why evil comes in... Trump found the hidden crack when everyone was sleeping under the sun.

They already are.

They get what they deserve. At least for the next four years paying for underage pleasure by Venmo will be effectively legal.

I worry the clown show will be the news. Not what is going on in the background that actually affects our lives.

This scares me too

When you Kristen Welker-Chuck Todd-Dana Bash-Peter Baker journalism while feeding us "save it for our books reporting" by Maggie Haberman and Bob Woodward dont blame the audience when we dont want to watch the Scott Jennings of cable go unfactchecked on every panel.

I have never been more afraid for America that I am now

I ask this sincerely (not being a doomer) - what can we, as run-of-the-mill citizens DO at this point?

I agree, but also don't blame people for being hopeless when Trump has slipped through every (weak) attempt to hold him and Congressional insurrectionists accountable. His Campaign fraud case where he's indicted for 34 counts will never sentence him. Docs case in FL, evaporates. So ....

What are we supposed to do? I voted, I pushed everyone on every site. Ignorance and hate won. I would rather enjoy life than face the evil allowed in America.

I think for many of us it’s the hopelessness. We volunteered, donated and voted. We watched Trump get away with everything and now it feels like we are giving our country away. Where do we go from here?

Don’t Look Up.

Great movie

Have to admit, feeling pretty hopeless right now and don't want to watch it happen. It's Jersey Housewives right now🤦‍♀️

How, exactly do you suggest we do?

Agreed, but WTH are we supposed to do? March?? Make calls to protest?? We are sitting ducks. We have very little (as an individual) that can be done before the next election cycle (assuming we get one). We're in deep S*it and have a real fear for the country.

Democrats have been that way for years.

Well.... America chose ..majority rules... they voted to throw out norms and freedom abd elected i done know what to call him ... .that thing; to take charge!!

I don't understand how stopping government waste by cutting departments that are unnecessary, which will give more freedom back to the people by literally taking away the power of the government, equates to us losing freedom? It's directly the opposite. Less government = more freedom.

it's like that everywhere

💯. My husband was talking to a coworker who said he just found out about Project 2025. They don’t want to know even though people like us have been screaming it from the rooftops

I'm giving myself until next Thursday to regroup and decompress. Then it's back in the trenches. I'm fighting for local politics first, where I can make a difference

I have my eyes wide open. There’s nothing more important than keeping our country safe from this fraud and his corrupt minions. I’ll be vocal and passionate about resisting the destruction of democracy. Disgusted Blue person in Red South Dakota (with a trumpette fraudster for a governor).

When the Democrats in Washington are playing dead ,what do you expect the people to do...where is the leadership?

If you give them ways to fight back, they will. Without options, yes, this will happen.

True. Until their employees vanish, their Healthcare goes away, or any number of atrocities affect them directly.

Give us some ideas on what we can do. I already wrote to my democratic senator. Talked to my financial advisor to try to mitigate the crash. I am up for ideas.

Too many people walking around saying they are powerless. I am determined not to feel powerless in the coming chaos.

With the help of Musk and his social media.

It's called survival!

That shows how naive and dense they are,it took the Germans years after Hitler destroyed Germany, maybe they should have learned some history!

I am conflicted about this. I can see the point they are making but at the same time, this can be the best possible outcome of the Sh!IIy situation we are in. That mean that we survived and we can fight in 2026 and 2028 (and all the other election in between).

And all the talking news heads will be talking to themselves. 😂

The fascists count upon that apathy.

We must NOT be complacent!!! Every day during this next Four Years, we must RESIST.

Yep. Erosion

Yes, you are right. Americans are oblivious to how dangerous the country will become. They don’t seem to care at all.

People are assuming that in four years there's going to be another election that's fair & transparently conducted rather than like the Republic of Georgia just this year.

Isnt it great!

I think some people can't stand the thought of Trump and his minions. (Moi). I read enough to get the jist of what's going on. If there is something I can do, I'll do it.

That is precisely how we got here.

That is what happened in this election. Most Americans don’t read books and FOX NEWS is their information portal. No wonder we are screwed. 🤮🤮

Americans are in survival mode and choose their own ways to survive.

This erosion of regular Americans being aware of what's going on was impacted greatly by radio talk show hosts years ago and continues to this day unchecked. Opinions turn to facts and the money came pouring in. The age of Alternative Facts flourished.

Agree...it began with AM hate radio w/Rush in the 80's and then Fox in the 90's, and since a myriad of websites & podcasts filled with conspiracy theories. The fragmentation makes it difficult to get facts and messages of truth through.

This coupled with an instinctive shield of embarrassment about being wrong or duped by the snake oil salesmen of our time will be difficult for those to rise above and see the light.

Yep

America is not a country full of stupid folks. It's just that the stupid folks grab all the attention. The Founding Father's must be spinning in thier graves right now. 4 years to fix the dream and make it a reality again.🫏

Unfortunately, I am doing this right now, and I will turn back in soon. Got to start listening to the #sisterinlaws podcast again also 😉

Well here is my thing... What more can we honestly do and I'm not asking this in a rhetorical way truly what can we do? Whatever it is we NEED to organize and attack this as a unified group. I mean I hear donate to the ACLU but there has to be more I personally can do.

The mega rich Trumpers are showing us what to do. Stop supporting corporations & start supporting small businesses. Use your library. Trump wants to cut the taxes of the wealthy. So stop supporting them and help those who will be hurt by Trump. Election is over but we can still vote with our money.

Sure, I'm going to watch some football and enjoy some other distractions but I'm very confident Trump's economic disasters and Musk's enormous cuts to government employment/programs will get even their most-loyal to throw them out starting in 2025 and even more so in 2026.

They won’t wake up until it hits them personally. The people who voted the orange pumpkin in are obviously not worried about the greater good. They are worried about their own.

The american electorate would rather watch millionaires play sports than save our democracy.

And that’s why we are in the mess we are in. Heads in the sand as to what the consequences would be voting 🍊

How many freedoms got taken away after 9/11 or during and after covid 🤔 Been happening for quite a while now. So even under Trump it will just be business as usual 🙄

Then, I guess we’ll have to be different from “most.”

That’s what they’re banking on. And also, how could they have won if people were well informed?

That’s what they’ve been doing. No reason to think that will change.

The apathy in this country boggles my brain. They only pay attention just before an election and by that time it’s too late.

Please tell us what to do! I’m so demoralized! If Journalists, Dems and our judiciary didn’t reign him in 9 years what is there to do now?

Gladiator-“I think he knows what Rome is.Rome is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they'll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they'll roar.The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, it's the sand of the coliseum.He'll bring them death,and they will love him for it.”

Hey dip sh*t the democrats lost

Hate to say it Barb, but if we just got done giving it all we had to get Kamala elected, and now we see the dems all shrugging and saying “oh well!” Why should we give a crap? I’m exhausted. When I see Dems screaming for hand counts I’ll jump back in. Until then, it’s Netflix.

exactly. they have already checked out, and surely not paying attention at this critical time as 45 sets up his administration.

There are lots of reasons to believe Americans will do just that. Our citizens have successfully been trained to ignore reality and vote against their own best interests. I have little faith in the majority of my fellow citizens. The intellectual laziness and malaise are firmly in control.

Apathy is their greatest weapon.

Moron!

My goal is to do both: limit my news watching to reduce anxiety but stay tuned in enough to be aware. Until the 2026 Mid-terms.

Barb, have you seen this?A legal contact my husband has, says it’s legitimate. I’m new to BS, having left my thousands of followers on Twitter,to starting over here & on Substack. Thought I could do my part still and at least share this here. Hope you don’t mind. open.substack.com/pub/spoonamo...

It’s a DUTY TO WARN letter about the election.

If kids getting killed in classrooms doesn’t spur Americans into action then nothing will.

Oh, ye of little faith. 😢

Sometimes our health can't withstand it. I finally had my BP under control, but that went out the window the morning of Nov. 6. I fear I will legitimately have a stroke if I become as engaged as I was pre-election. And I'm not alone.

“Football, beer, and above all, gambling filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult.” ⁃ George Orwel, 1984

And that is why they voted for the 🍊🤡….ignorant

What can we do to stop it? There are no checks and balances anymore. The US is a puppet state of Russia. Actually it’s worse Russia has taken over the US and they are going to destroy us from the inside out. You know it’s true

I think we get it. What can we do about it? It seems that the die has been cast and the take down is moving forward.

Fascism flourishes in apathy.

New Zealand has shown the way, HAKA. Time to fight for our rights

Largely bc legacy and MSM will normalize it. They will use watered down terms and both sides everything as usual. People don’t know what’s going on bc of the MSM!

A whole new media structure needs to be rebuilt as many will look for news rather than the way traditional news if offered. If Joe Rogan can gather (mostly men) the followers he has, then it's time for Dems to start investing in new ways of reaching voters.

People are complaining about being asked to continue to contribute. The next election is next year (Governors for NJ and VA), and in 2026 (the entire House of Reps, 1/3 of the Senate - 20 GOP and 13 Dems, and 36 Governors - 16 GOP and 20 Dems).

Not only Governors are running but also State elected officials (including JUDGES and Attornies General). If we learned nothing else this year, we learned the importance of local elections (Michigan, for example)

IMHO, continuing to contribute helps make it possible for candidates to focus more on issues than on fundraising, and they can hit the ground running.

Sad, isn’t it?

What exactly are we supposed to do? Our current administration apparently did absolutely nothing to prevent this. Biden had immunity, Garland did nothing. It's not like they didn't know this.

This is where the resistance can fight back. With every horrific event (economic and social) be prepared to post it to anywhere MAGA reality deniers are lurking. Don't let them hide away on earth II, shove the mess in their faces.

As long as it doesn’t significantly alter our lives, whitefolk ain’t gonna do shit. Democracy is in the streets.

But the Justice system didn’t do what it was supposed to these last 4 years! We are exhausted out here with little money and no power!

I already know this is true I keep hearing people say they are avoiding talking about it and the news So they will be completely ignorant about the destruction of our country until it smacks them in the face and impacts their own lives he wore us all down that’s how we got here

Even some of my closest blue friends say they’ve turned off the news. I’m hoping that’s only for a short period of time to grieve, but I MUST watch and read news. Being uninformed is part of what got us in this mess.

We can easily stay informed about important developments given the fire hose of information that we get.

I am not sure I agree. For starters, it is speculation and lacks a foundation to say that "most Americans" will tune out (at least any more than they already have). Second, there is value in ignoring political rhetoric because most of it is merely trolling and attempts to intimidate people.

I don't know, I feel many good things are coming our way.

The stock market crashing will create a boom no one can ignore

Why do you think it will crash

Why do you think it won't?

Did i say it wont?

Not directly. I don't know that it will crash, but the markets will not continue to do as well as they have the last four years. Inflation is going to increase National debt will increase Housing shortage will get worse Consumer protections (like USDA)will be hobbled Faith our system will flag

Its hard to say the market isnt what it was 10 years ago. Now its almist becime a gaming betting platform so the rules have changed and is more dependent on human behavior than fundamentals.

Reality will set in

Well its why last 2 years ive been half in half out of market because i keep thinking any day now it crashes and you wanna have $ to but bottom

We are about to get to the point where we can't pay our debt and we are going to turtle the boat. Just think about all that commercial property debt on the books and everyone working from home.

Experts are calling it the "melt-up." I think we are going to see a currency coup, where oligarchs steal any value left and funnel it into crypto.

Because tariffs for one will affect everyone's bottom line, hyper inflation will snuff out the working class, totalitarian rule is usually not good for an economy only the people at the top. Chaos and ineptitude from traitor trump will crash this place.

Research "the melt-up." The market is about to pop as it is and all of the Trump chaos will make it worse. Banks will fail. We will see a currency coup where the big boys run off with value via Bitcoin.

I think he’s gonna replace the US dollar with his crypto currency. We won’t be able to buy or sell anything without his name on it

I call it the "currency coup"

He’s in it for $$$ . The crypto craze has already begun. It’s all a grift now that his legal problems are going away. Follow the $ always with him and his family.

It's a currency coup

Agree with your agenda! Following u now!

thanks!

I know it’s wrong, but I’ve seen the Trump show before, and I’ve seen how Democrats and normal citizens softly respond to the Trump show, so I have to tune it out.

It will be hard to ignore the personal financial havoc heaped on them — at some point.

On large part that is because those of us who paid attention to everything and were active still saw 7 million fewer vote for Harris than Biden And too many who didn’t care about magat incompetence felonies raped and racism

Voting should be enough. At least that's what we've been told.

That’s why Magas are back on top.

I was born and raised in Philadelphia. My entire life I've been surrounded by the icons of our independence and democracy. No phones, no internet, not even a light bulb, yet they built a country. I'm not about to hand it over to a group of smelly, deranged sociopaths just because it seems hard.

Just like in Russia or any authoritarian state. Lay low because you don't want to lose your job or end up in the Gulag.

We will need guidance as to what we can actually do to make a difference.

Still feeling completely crushed, not disengaged but frustrated by the Dems lack of fight — seeing Biden welcome DT to the WH 😠😔 There is a time for graciousness but not with someone who is stomping on our democracy and leading the country towards oligarchy

Trump's retribution will not be confined to "in Washington." I expect full bore attacks upon cities and their officials. New York, Atlanta, Chicago, SF. It will be hard to ignore what's happening.

I hate that this is true. 🫤

I don't think they'll ignore it entirely - particularly as his disastrous policies start to cripple the economy - but I'm concerned whether our elections process will be permitted to continue, particularly as our insipid SCOTUS majority has given him carte blanche.

If we confront his disaterous plans for the economy and not let the pain happen the blame will be on those who confront him. Help me understand how that thinking is incorrect.

As the president, he has control of tariffs. That disaster will happen and it’s on him. He also controls both Houses of Congress and will get his tax cut for rich people passed. The disaster which follows will be on him.There’s a reason Herbert Hoover lost in a landslide after causing the Depression

Agree. But in his every failure he will lie and blame "us" in some way shape or form. "If only "they" hadn't blocked my plan... or "they, the deep State" did it..." He's convinced millions that "only he" can solve whatever it is. Messaging is our problem too.

His messaging notwithstanding, he was voted out after his first term -- because of his disastrous handling of a pandemic. The same will happen after he destroys the economy -- if we still have free elections.

They won't be able to ignore the huge price increase from a tariff trade wars. No the tragedy on full display of mass deportation. The only way this happens is if trump does nothing

We did what we were supposed to. Voted in record numbers. And now Washington won’t address the many inconsistencies seen in tabulating those votes. Afraid of a civil war so they just roll over. It’s not ok. We want recounts in the swing states. This election was rigged.

So my question is what are we supposed to do? We voted and that wasn’t enough. We’ll vote next time if we get the chance. I’m fearful of what may come but I can’t live in constant anxiety for the next four years. What is it that you guys want us “regular folks” to be doing out here?

Guaranteed. Look how steadfastly we are ignoring the genocide in Gaza. Why would our neighbors not ignore Fascism stealing their rights? No one is coming to save us. Get yourself ready. Fight back.

With all due respect i dont wanna hear crap about gaza...when we are falling apart here! This Gaza thing is Propoganda that was amplified and i am sick of it... a dispute that existed hundreds of years b4 played a part in the cup we are about to drink... but Biden/Harris' was to fix this overnight

miss me with concern over Gaza!

Biden has been violating the Leahy Law to provide Netanyahu more bombs that he has used to kill 17,000 children. Don't lose your morality.

Miss me the Gaza empathy! All US Preisents based on policy backs Israel!! Same as how we have a one China Policy! Biden is doing his job.. Again with the Propoganda ... name me one war where there were no "casualties of war".... miss me also with the misguided sense of morality!

Trump Killed millions of people of with the Covid...where was the sense of morality then... and outrage there... RFK is suggesting that we stop researching infectious diseases.... more than 17000 children in America will be dead by the time he is done.... Gaza and morality... .give me a break!!!

Well, we sure won’t see any pushback from us if all we do is scroll & post. During the election, I think too many (myself included) thought posting a meme or an outrage against 45, or donating to Act Blue WAS doing something. Clearly complacent “involvement” was delusional. Suggestions plz!

I agree Barb..I'm a Frenchman in the US. What do you recommend?...It is out my power how things run in DC....

thats what people do when they are scared they hope it will all go away. Its actually part of the problem. the number of times I've heard I dont listen to politics its all to negative or they are always at each others throats.

Trumps not wrong the system needs a huge shake up just not in the way he thinks. someone needs to grab society by the shoulders & scream pay attention, support your neighbours.

Likely, when grocery prices increase as a result of the deportations and tariffs they may begin to pay attention again.

But what can we do? We voted and we were outvoted. The media has normalized this behavior. There’s no one and nothing to save us.

I actually debated taking this approach. I already work hard, volunteer, craft, spend time with my kids and still go to sports stuff since college freshman plays two. Then I realized if I did that for 4 years, I’d be shirking.

Most people feel disenfranchised and don’t think it matters. Most people are just trying to get by.

The Rule of Law is on Break for 2024-2028 and maybe forever. You're a Law Scholar, why can't the States enforce illegal deportations of citizens?

Nothing has stopped this slow moving coup so far. People feel helpless and scared. If the people with power can't do anything...

Bread & circus, bread & circus. The formula is unchanged for 2 millennia.

The MAGA strength is that each and every one of them is an activist.

It's tough. Do I read about Aussie Rules Football and the Bundesliga, or Trump's cabinet nominees? I get enjoyment and learn something from Aussie Rules. I get angry and dumber reading about Trump. How does anyone stay engaged given those choices?

The vote wouldn’t of gone gop if voters had been paying attention

Well they ignored it when the FBI, 51 intelligence officials and major media and social media outlets suppressed the true Hunter Biden story to interfere in the 2020 election on behalf of their preferred candidate. So yeah. They'll probably ignore anything.

So true but also this: the cult will blame everyone who confronts their evilness and lie that “we” have stopped them from maga. We don’t have strong messaging to counter their lies. We block tariffs WE have raised prices. Etc etc.

So did the Germans, just sayin

This scares me because I am in one of the groups they want to remove rights from. I will fight for my right to exist.

It scares me, too. Among my friends I saw more engagement than ever in the run-up to the election, but the devastating outcome has them wanting to tune out. I understand the impulse, but ongoing engagement will be crucial in the coming months.

I agree. Until their kids come home from school with the measles because vaccines aren’t available anymore or their veterans benefits disappear.

Contented ignorance 😔

4 factors: 1) Too much noise (social media, news, entertainment,etc.) People tune out. 2) Failing educational standards (6th-grade reading level, lack of civics knowledge, & much more) 3) Rampant disinformation from foreign, political & cultural agents. 4) Not enough hours in a day to do it all.

I respectfully disagree. When interest rates climb, credit card protections disappear, prices for houses, cars, electronics and food rise, they’ll pay attention. When they lose their job, he’ll have their attention. When family and hired help are deported, he’ll have their attention.

And MSM , political pundits and Dem lawmakers will also continue to be asleep at the wheel, while at the same time pointing fingers at each other.

We all need to ensure we don't "normalize" what is happening. Ask yourself why we continue to gravitate towards extreme people and views? Those are the fringe not the normal.