Outrage Overload
How to combat & survive the next 4 years of horror...
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During the previous Trump presidency I, like many others, would grab my phone as soon as I awoke to see what awful action Trump had taken while I slept. We’re now just four weeks into Trump 2.0 and each day brings multiple unbelievably cruel or crazy new policies.
Ignore Trump’s Constant Nonsense
If this is only the 4th week, how do we keep sane and motivated to act over the next 4 years? Living in a constant state of outrage is unhealthy and unproductive. We can only face the underlying problems and create solutions by ignoring the non-stop crazy. We will all be much more effective advocates and fighters for democracy if we:
Focus on the future and how we make it better.
Right now, we can double down on making it safer and more secure.
Watch this video for a very positive message: Empowering Children for a Brighter Future Through Purposeful Action | TikTok
Search for ways to reach people who voted for Trump.
We have better policies on our side, but we can’t implement them unless Trump voters see how they will suffer from his plans.
Take breaks to care for ourselves.
Find what makes you slow down and feel better (I’ve found meditation helpful) and make it a regular part of your week.
And don't forget to enjoy time with the important people in your life.
The Big Issues
Remember that we can be much more productive if we focus on one issue at a time, even if it’s just for an hour. Let’s take a trip back to Day 1 as painful as that may be. That morning President Biden had pre-emptively pardoned politicians and officials who Trump had vowed to target. Or, as Rep. Jamie Raskin put it, “Innocent people are being pardoned in the morning, and guilty people are being pardoned in the afternoon.” Then, after taking office, Trump immediately pardoned all of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists.
What was the smart way to react to such despicable behavior? Not false equivalencies - like the media leaned into. The focus should have been on the fact that Trump pardoned people who had committed violent acts against law enforcement officers, something even Trump’s vice president said would not happen.
This may seem like old news because so many crazy actions are happening at once. But this one is very important and shouldn’t be forgotten. Many of the insurrectionists had a past of violent crime, and at least 12 people pardoned by Trump have since been arrested for new crimes, including gun charges. It is important to be vigilant, stay safe, and make sure your MAGA neighbors and friends are exposed to the facts.
In the 4 weeks since the inauguration, Elon Musk and his DOGE team have been instrumental in firing thousands of Federal workers, including 300 employees of the National Nuclear Security Administration, most of whom were rehired after it became clear that the safety of the country’s nuclear weapons was at risk. During the same period, the administration cut USAID and paused foreign aid, and Trump announced his plan to clear out all of the people in Gaza and develop it as a luxury resort.
Call to Action
It’s so easy to get distracted, and that’s probably what the Trump administration wants. They know that outrage overload will keep people from doing anything to resist & distract from the real issues, so it’s up to us to focus on one or two problems at a time, instead of falling for their manipulation.
Here are some actions you can take:
Educate yourself about the issues that are most important to you and your family.
You don’t need to fight each and every outrage. Instead of expressing your anger, share true stories about how these issues affect you. Make sure to include facts and let people know how their family and friends will be affected.
Practice self-care and prioritize the important people in your life. Make time for your pets.
Join DemCast.
We are the largest digital amplification network on the left! We will help you use your social media accounts strategically to fight Trump’s disinformation machine. CLICK TO JOIN!
Thank you! You included way to take care of ourselves. I need more help how to reach MAGA neighbors. They are unreachable and I’ve tried a couple of different approaches. I like the actions you shared. That was helpful. Thank you!