I’m an American who has been living abroad for 20 years. I’m shocked, as I watch my home country being dismantled by oligarchs who sold US democracy. And I talk to other Americans and they’re just like “Oh, well, both sides, you know?”
Do y’all not realize what you’ve done? The US literally has no allies now, no rule of law, and no democracy. You’re living in an authoritarian dictatorship now, run by clowns.
How are so many Americans just going on with their lives like normal?
What’s the alternative? I want to protest, but if I miss work then I might lose my job, which would cost me my health insurance and likely my house. I want to get back on social media and show people where I stand, but these MAGA people are rabid and will come after me for it. I’m ready to step up, but not while Trump has half the country behind him. I’m waiting for a numbers advantage. His approval rating is tanking, and once it gets low enough, I think people like me will be more willing to take bigger risks. Until then, we’re doing what we can while keeping our heads down.
I think this is exactly why protesting is necessary. It is the entire reason why unions emerged in the first place. Pool together resources, so everyone can join in on a strike and the strike can take weeks or months without people going hungry.
I blame the barely existance of affordable health care, unemployment systems, social housing etc. as a main reason for where the USA got to where it is now. It’s always everyone for themselves and people like Trump or Musk are the very personification of this basic idea underlining every aspect of USA society, on steroids. There is no society, there is only eternal struggle between all individuals who are all very scared of not being succesfull and/or ending in absolute poverty because they dare to think outside of this dominating idea that everyone is what they themselves chose/do/are…
Vote with your wallet. Try not to buy from the big companies if you can help it. It used to be a pain doing this but with a password manager it’s easy to create another account and don’t save your CC on the site if it’s just a one time purchase.
Protesting is fine to let others know they are not alone but the people in charge will not care or see it.
Great point.
A better option is to find and join your local union. You can do it quietly, and it might save your job someday. Even if it doesn’t, it’ll absolutely get you paid and treated better.
I went to a weekend protest for my job.
I’ve started being more active in the community and finding people like me out there. It helps.