Free Rider: a person or company that gets an advantage without paying for it or earning it.

 

Today’s American left finds itself in a bit of a funk. The new President has jumped out of the starter blocks at lightening speed. His strategy is to declare the election a mandate for his policies and to implement them quickly before the country on more sober reflection realizes there’s no mandate, just a win. A trifecta (House, Senate, Presidency) but not a mandate. This is not the time to bury your head in the sand. It’s not the time to get caught like a deer in the headlights. It’s not the time wallow in your grief, give in to your depression, hide under your blanket. As Michelle Obama said (paraphrasing Kamala Harris’s mother):  “Don’t sit around and complain about things—do something!”

“But what?” you say. Recently Mark Cuban asked his audience on Bluesky: “Curious what everyone thinks is the best way to have a positive or any impact on the country, during the first 30 days of the new administration.” I have summarized the responses below without discussing or explaining. I may not agree with every idea, the list is incomplete, but it’s a good place to start to find a course of action.

Read and heed. Don’t wait for someone else. Don’t be a free rider. Choose a few ideas that work for you. Or add a few in the comment section below. I want to hear your thoughts!

 

What You Can Do If You Disagree With The Man Who Would Be King

 

Help fund independent journalism

Play anti-right music

Be an educator

Don’t remain silent

Don’t give in to class warfare

Boycott Meta, Amazon, and other companies owned by Oligarchs in support of authoritarian policies

Fund raise for the ACLU or other activist organizations you care about

Take care of the most vulnerable around you

Speak up

Limit the power of politicians (term limits, hold them accountable, get money out of politics)

Don’t hide, be aggressive

Reframe liberal policies to appeal to a wider audience

Highlight Biden’s actual accomplishments

Take people’s selfish concerns into account when formulating policies

Be charitable and kind to those in need

Resist authoritarian policies

Delete big tech social media

Point out bad or illegal actions, for example: pardons of criminals, abandonment of our allies abroad

Insist on truth, not alternative facts

Appeal to common sense, point out lies

Support organizations that represent your values financially and as a volunteer

Support lawsuits against unconstitutional policies and executive orders

Help your neighbors and local community

Ignore bigots, make them irrelevant, tune them out

Focus on your personal health and safety

Point out income and wealth inequality

Write letters to your representatives and the press

Organize unifying events

Change the narrative

Point out the contradictions in MAGA policies with the constitution and the Christian religion, call out hypocrisy

Don’t engage or argue with MAGA true believers, it’s a waste of time

Focus on your own and your community’s wellbeing including local politics

Remember: by your deeds you shall be known

Have a plan to cope

Support mutual aid

Organize your important documents including your passport

Follow the international reaction to America’s new policies

Find and support strong leaders you agree with

Where appropriate support boycotts and strikes

Fight back for abortion and human rights in the spirit of the Underground Railroad

Remember: all politics is local

Be kind and tolerant as much as you can

Appreciate, support and create art

Maintain hope, don’t let the bastards get you down

Create, join and use networks of like-minded people

Stay healthy for your benefit and the benefit of others

Do one small thing each day

Don’t be complacent

Ignore bigots and bullies

Volunteer

Don’t pretend this is normal

Lead by example

Fact check everything, AI cannot be trusted given the source

Limit social media use

Talk to your neighbors

Organize and participate in rallies

Be creative, optimistic and forward thinking