Walter Shaub: We are in a dangerous phase of Trump's war on democracy. What do we do now?

[CousinIT]

ORIGINAL Twitter thread:

Link to tweet

UNROLLED Twitter thread:

With the impeachment trial over, we’re in a dangerous new phase of Trump's war on democracy. What do we do now?

I want share a perspective that I hope you’ll find both optimistic and realistic. It's long for Twitter, but I'm posting it here because you're its target audience./1

I think the greatest threat we face is despondency. The enemies of democracy, foreign and domestic, want you drowning in hopelessness. A hopeless populace is a helpless one. To that end, a hostile foreign power set up an infrastructure to weaponize social media against you./2

The beneficiary of that effort learned from its success, and his campaign is trying to blur reality with its own blitzkrieg of chaos. Compounding the assault on your senses, he also wields a corrupted government, which follows his lead in disseminating lies to sow confusion./3

In the face of this psychological warfare, our most urgent mission—our civic duty—is to reject despondency. Everyone has a bad day, so we may need to take turns leading the charge. But our job as citizens is to resist the temptation to spread defeatism on social media./4

Don’t be the demoralizer who tweets “what good will that do?” If you don’t think a particular action will help, get out of the way of those of us who do. Keep it to yourself; take a break. Change is a product of momentum, which we build one action at a time./5

What happens to citizens who write postcards to voters, call members of Congress, go to meetings, hand out flyers, go to marches, donate small amounts, or take other actions? They show up on election day to cast their votes, and they may even inspire others to do the same. /6

There’s also always a chance that these actions could have a more direct impact. If you think that can’t happen, you haven’t been paying attention. Not always, but sometimes public pressure has slowed and even stopped the demagogue's overreach./7
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The good news is that things are better in some ways than many fear. There’s an underreported public engagement in the fight for democracy. Just as the rise of fascism has exceeded anything we could have imaged, so too has the opposition to it. You are the hope factory./8

Reporting on small actions is harder—and less likely to produce ratings—than reporting on the demagogue's weird rallies. But it takes more commitment to write 300 postcards to voters than it does to show up for a couple hours at the fascism circus to bark for the cameras./9

There is energy behind the many individual actions being taken. So cultivate a hopeful—and entirely realistic—belief that individuals make a difference. Foster in yourself and others a willingness to do small things. Give $3 to something—anything! Give one hour of your time./10

If you want to taste hope, check out all the inspiring responses folks posted in response to the tweet below late on a Saturday night when Twitter usage is down. Read their responses, share them with others, and add your own. Then, go save democracy! /11

Link to tweet

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. I'm madly in love with Walter Shaub.

Do you suppose that Mrs. S. will step aside for me?

[CousinIT]

3. LOL! I dunnoooo....did you catch him on AMJoy this morning? n/t

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. No, I didn't.

[Faux pas]

2. Kickin'

To read tomorrow when I have my thinking cap on

[BigmanPigman]

5. I respect Shaub's input along with Richard Reich's.

I think I am too passionate and stubborn to fall into despondency, like most of us here on DU. We need to stay focused, firm and loud.

[onetexan]

6. K&R