We’re in charge!
I came across this article in Bill Moyer’s website the other day and was immediately taken with how true this article, written in 2017, is now. https://billmoyers.com/story/increasingly-necessity-15-point-guide-surviving-authoritarianism/
If you don’t know him, Bill Moyer has been a reporter, founder and director of the Peace Corps, worked with President Lyndon Johnson for years, was a publisher of the magazine Newday, and was both correspondent for CBS Reports and senior news analyst for CBS Evening News. Mr. Moyer retired in December 2017 so this article, written by senior writer and associate editor of media and culture at Alternet, Kali Halloway and Polish activist Martin Maycielski, was released 4 days before his farewell post which you can read at https://billmoyers.com/story/farewell/
So, two years ago these journalists warned us about the direction the new presidency was headed and better yet, what we as citizens needed to do to fight the onslaught of authoritarianism that was about to wash over us like a tsunami. In the article, the authors talk about fifteen rules we need to help our republic survive.
Two years later, every single thing mentioned in the fifteen rules article has come to pass. The taking over of our judiciary system, the attack on our media and journalists, the fearmongering, the division of our citizens, the chaos, the distortion of truth, the scandals, the attacks on women and minorities, the limitations of our freedoms and so much more have already been established.
The article, which I highly recommend that you read, talks about how to fight each of these rules. The focus, is of course, to remain a well-read, independent thinker. To survive this attack on our republic, we need to sharpen ours and our children’s critical thinking skills. We cannot let this authoritarian regime start changing our laws and electoral processes without a great deal of discussion. They will only change them to keep themselves in power. There’s a reason Trump continually mentions being President for Life.
Education and fact-checking are key to fighting the people who would like nothing more than to force us all to work for them at a starvation wage, ill-educated and responding only to bread and circuses. Speaking up at every lie, pointing it out and challenging it with the truth will work. They really want everyone to swallow their gas-lighting hook, line and sinker — to just accept whatever they tell us. They will distort the truth or outright lie, do not be fooled. They are not on our side.
To keep and retain power, these autocrats taking over our country will try and make us forget what the facts are. They’ll promote false truths, alternative facts and do their best to attack any attempt to point out the truth with overwhelming emotion and outright fictions. If you have been watching the impeachment hearings, you’ve seen this for yourself.
I say it’s time for us, as citizens, to start calling out our representatives and setting them straight. We are in charge of the government. If they insist on gas-lighting us, we need to replace them with representatives that will bring back our republic. It’s not too late. Read up on your representative. What does their voting record in the House or the Senate look like? Are they working for you or for the American oligarchs?
Take a look at the laws that have been passed over the last year or two. Are these the things you actually want done or are these laws being passed only so the 1% can take control of the entire country? Do you really want to live in a dictatorship? In a country ruled by a rich crime mob? If not, you need to step up. Each and every one of you. Don’t let them change anything until it makes sense to you. Don’t let your representative do anything until you understand, and I mean really understand, what the cost is to you.
Now more than ever, it’s imperative that each of us throw off our blinders. We need to say, “Wait just a minute.” “What do you mean by that?” It’s an effort. I know. For so long we’ve let our representatives just step into office and do whatever seemed best to them. No more. I, for one, have had enough. I’m checking every law that goes before the House or the Senate and putting my representatives on speed dial.
To help you, go here: https://www.congress.gov/search?q={%22source%22:%22legislation%22}&searchResultViewType=expanded
This site lets you see all of the laws on the books for this year and on the left margin, possible break-outs by members, by year, the law’s chamber or origin and more.
You are in charge. Do something.
