Totally agree it's important to engage all levels of government. But only the US Senate has the authority over nominations
Trump doesn't have that power, he's pressuring the Senate to do so. Thus calling Senators to stand up to these shenanigans is important.
Have you tried calling their phones? Sure some don't pick up, but enough do.
I'm in favor of larger structural changes, but I'm not about to roll over and allow fascists to get everything they want in the current system. How many people do you expect to join a revolution if they won't even be bothered to pick up a phone?
The book does acknowledge and analyze the violent and nonviolent aspects of the resistance movements in the case studies, and how they impacted each other. Thanks for the suggestion on Setting Sites
It's highly variable, and yes I absolutely agree money in politics is a big problem. I do have a direct experience where reaching out to my Senators led to them aggressively and successfully opposing a provision in a law that would have had a big impact on me. Don't want to dox myself, but this real change to a bill made a huge difference to me and many others. So it is possible to make an impact.
I'm for larger structural changes, but I disagree that rolling over and allowing fascists to get their way in the current system is acceptable. Let's do both
Why not use multiple tactics? It's not all or nothing and yes I'm certain Senate offices care about hearing from constituents, far more effective than simply doom scrolling.
These tactics are not always a guarantee to have things go your way, but they increase the chances. For phone calling, numbers of people calling in matter the most, particularly at strategic times, including: right after big announcements, right before a committee vote, right before a floor vote. It's also more effective before dominant narratives have arisen around a topic and there is uncertainty on how things could shake out.
Resistance to authoritarian regimes takes many forms, I found the book Why Civil Resistance Works to be a very helpful analysis of different resistance movements and their tactics
Because the appointments are the current issue that has some ability to be influenced. It helps to lean into issues that are making headlines, partly because reporters are reaching out to offices for their comments to get their stance on public record
A self-fulfilling prophecy if his constituents don't try to make him care
Thought I'd add that mass phone calls are a tactic used by the NRA and other powerful lobby groups. Getting a lot of their group's members to voice their opinion is the key to their success...perhaps to the point of making an office fearful of the backlash via phone calls for going against them.
They do not, Trump's appointments are not yet in place. It's never too late to fight for democracy.
Nazis rose to power in Germany and kept doing worse things because too many people had this defeatist attitude
If you're concerned about Trump's nominations, the most impactful thing you can do is to reach out to your US Senators and voice your opposition. A large volume of brief phone calls do make a difference at strategic times. Immediately after a nomination announcement is one of those strategic times, because they are figuring out how/whether to respond publicly. Democracy must be fought for even after elections have ended.
Contacting Senators from both parties also matters right now. The prevailing message in the media is that Dems need to cater even more to Republicans to win the next election, they need to hear your voice if you disagree with that.
The most effective phone calls take less than a minute: say your name, your city or ZIP code, and what you support/oppose, maybe a sentence on why. You'll be marked down on a spread sheet that is discussed at the daily office strategy meeting.
Other actions like brief emails, meeting in-person at the district office, meeting in-person at the DC office, can also be effective, but take more time and energy. Emails aren't always read right away like a phone call must be answered for example. And you generally need to make an appointment for an in-person meeting.
It does matter if you want to counter the talking heads all saying the election loss is because of progressives. Dem senators need to hear another voice than that and be pushed to not roll over like the special counsel
Call your Senators, give them your name, zip code, and briefly tell them you oppose these noms. It DOES make a difference! Democracy doesn't stop at the ballot box, it has to be fought for
Former President Trump shocked and appalled some Republican lawmakers on Wednesday by announcing plans to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) for attorney general.
Why it matters: Republican reaction to even Trump's most controversial nominations has been muted so far, but placing the scandal-prone right-winger in the nation's highest law enforcement role is a step too far for many.
"We wanted him out of the House ... this isn't what we were thinking," quipped one House Republican, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak frankly about Trump's decision.
What we're hearing: Trump's announcement was met with audible gasps by House Republicans during a conference meeting on Wednesday afternoon, multiple sources in the room told Axios.
One House Republican in the meeting described the conference's response as "stunned and disgusted."
What they're saying: "Gaetz has a better shot at having dinner with Queen Elizabeth II than being confirmed by the senate," said Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), referring to the British monarch who died in 2022.
Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.), noting that Gaetz is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, said he would be "a compromised AG" and that "there are better choices."
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she was "shocked" by the pick: "This shows why the advice and consent process is so important and I'm sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing."
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said Gaetz has "got his work really cut out for him" to get confirmed.
The Mississippi River is also navigable for barges all the way up through Minnesota
Seconding Center for American Progress. There are also a ton of issue specific organizations and professional societies that are non partisan, but focus on improving policies that tend to be left leaning. For example Planned Parenthood is technically a nonpartisan nonprofit, but many other health or environment related non-profits have a policy team that tries to advance their cause the best they know how. Being nonpartisan means they aren't limited to speaking with one side or the other and can keep a drum beat going on their issues regardless of the political winds. These orgs could use your donations now more than ever.
In a report, the regulator sharply criticized pharmacy benefit managers, a reversal from its longstanding hands-off approach to policing the companies.
In a report, the regulator sharply criticized pharmacy benefit managers, a reversal from its longstanding hands-off approach to policing the companies.
In a report, the regulator sharply criticized pharmacy benefit managers, a reversal from its longstanding hands-off approach to policing the companies.
In a report, the regulator sharply criticized pharmacy benefit managers, a reversal from its longstanding hands-off approach to policing the companies.
The Environmental Protection Agency has set strict emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks, buses and other large vehicles.
Cancer patients and doctors have ignited a movement to radically change how new cancer drugs are tested to make them more tolerable.
For cancer patients, the harsh side effects of powerful drugs have long been the trade-off for living longer. Now, patients and doctors are questioning whether all that suffering is necessary.
They’ve ignited a movement to radically change how new cancer drugs are tested, with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urging drugmakers to do a better job at finding the lowest effective dose, even if it takes more time.