My friend is Jewish, a Democrat, and a lesbian. She is living in constant fear of next November.

[Cyrano]

I've known her since we were kids. She now lives in California, but we talk, email and text on a regular basis. And, to a large degree, I share her fear. The American Fascist Party, in some states, has just enough power to steal the electoral college and install Donald Trump as the president. -- Or should I say "President for Life." -- If he wins/steals it, there won't be any further elections for the foreseeable future.

My friend's grandparents escaped the Holocaust because they saw what was coming and they fled. She now knows exactly how they felt, and she is preparing to flee America. Think about that. Whoever thought that any American would ever need to prepare to "flee America?"

If, next year, Trump is declared the winner by the powers that be, my friend will leave the country of her birth as quickly as possible. (She's still considering where she and her partner will be "safe," considering the fever of antisemitism, anti LGBTQ, and anti-democracy that defines their existence in this world.)

So why am i telling you this? Because she should not be living in fear. Nor should you and I be living in fear. But let's face it. We're up against a Republican/Fascist organization that has been many decades in the making. They have a propaganda machine second to none. They have members of the judiciary in key positions, that have been appointed by those of them who hold or held elected office. They have "Think Tanks" with benevolent sounding names, that are dedicated to the creation of a fascist America and have drawn up the plans to make it happen. And they have enough influence/power in key states to turn the tide in an election year.

Pay attention, America. No one is coming to rescue us in the climax of the movie. We Democrats are it. We are the defense. We are the only thing standing between a free country and the nightmare of the deadly fascist political movement that is currently called Trumpism. Call it what you want. The title may change, but a concentration camp isn't a summer camp.

Face it. It's up to us to act against the cloud of darkness that is threatening everything we believe in and hold dear. Those who believed as we do have fought these pricks before and they won. But fascism never goes away. Now it's our turn. And it's time for us to make our own decisions to fight or flee.

(I spoke with my friend before writing this. She was okay with it, as she knew I wouldn't use her name.)

[RKP5637]

1. There could likely be some type of a major rebellion IMO if this shit happens. I don't

think most Americans will sit by and watch the country destroyed.

[Cyrano]

8. They're organized for a takeover. We're not prepared to prevent it.

This only occurred to me after i read your reply a few times and it sunk in.

What really sucks is that the fascists are always way in the lead in enacting their agenda.

And what gives me hope is that we are always late in getting into the battle. Yet, somehow, we come out ahead.

Perhaps there's some kind of nature of the universe that ensures justice. Or not. Who knows?

[MorbidButterflyTat]

19. Disagree with this:

"They're organized for a takeover. We're not prepared to prevent it."

Who's organized? The dysfunctional House? The many MAGAts under indictment? Clueless dorks like DeSatan?

And who's not prepared to prevent it? I guess I have more faith in Democrats and decent Americans.

[Lonestarblue]

22. They're not only organized, they're identifying the Nazis to take over on Day 1.

What I find terrifying is idiot Tuberville’s hold on 409 military appointments. Not only is he damaging our national security now, he is also trying to hold these positions open for a Trump presidency so Trump can appoint the most right-wing sycophantic military candidates, like Mike Flynn, who will be willing to use the military however Trump wants, including staying in power for life and then handing the presidency to one of his kids. Republicans in the Senate have to know that this is what he is doing, but they don’t want to change an archaic rule to stop him.

Republicans could have prevented all this back in 2021 simply by convicting Trump in the January 6 impeachment trial and barring him from holding future office,,but they refused to obey the law, uphold the Constitution, and support the country. That is unforgivable in my mind. Those who voted not to convict are traitors to the country.

[Dave says]

2. Excellent post

But tragic that the fear is justified. In fact, I think the odds are 50/50. Unless everyone of one of us vote and grab some friends and drag them to the polls, it will be scary indeed.

[Midnight Writer]

3. Exactly. Jack Smith and our courts are not going to save us, anymore than Mueller did.

We are going to have to save America ourselves, and our strongest tool is getting out the vote.

Sitting on the sidelines and waiting for justice to prevail or for our fellow citizens to come to their senses will not work.

We have the numbers. We need to use them to save our country.

[Cyrano]

4. We need one of the biggest Dem turnouts in history. And we must hope it's enough.

The American Fascist Party isn't playing by any rules. So here's my question: "What if we win the presidency, and they steal it anyway?"

Think it can't happen? Think Florida, 2000. Al Gore won the presidency. (All subsequent counts confirmed it.) However, the Republicans on the Supreme Court appointed George W. Bush to the presidency.

Are we prepared to let something like that happen again? The difference is that this time, a dangerous, deadly orange maniac will be playing the role of president.

[ITAL]

11. That's actually not true about 2000

It really depends on what rules for counting would have been used, it was by no means all counts. Oddly enough, using the standard that Gore wanted Bush would have won.

https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/31/politics/bush-gore-2000-election-results-studies/index.html

[Cyrano]

12. Yes, it actually is true about 2000. But this argument is for a different thread.

[ITAL]

24. It's not, if you care to read

[Behind the Aegis]

5. So am I, though not a lesbian, I am gay.

I am afraid because so many on the left are being short-sighted. It is that bullshit that really scares me.

[Chi67]

34. Agreed

It a gay man, and I also have thought about plans to leave if Trump wins. Because if he does, it’s game over for us.

[Kennah]

6. Your friend is aware, and that's a good first step

There are threats. Real existential threats. Being aware of them is the first step. It can be challenging to attain a relax, comfortable, yet aware state of mind. Not paranoid, but aware of what's going on around you. Always. It actually can show you a lot of wonderful things going on around you. I recall riding the bus and noticing some movement. I looked and noticed a couple sitting down. The woman gave a loving pat on the arm to the man. Probably a husband and wife, or boyfriend and girlfriend, commuting to work.

[vercetti2021]

7. I'm trans and an atheist

I'm constantly in fear, this is why in a crazy reversal of magats owning guns, I own about 8 guns now. I was going into this knowing what the risks were. Best believe I would go out John Wick style if I gotta. I'd rather die fighting than die in a gas chamber.

[BootOutTheGoons]

9. Everyone besides MAGA is scared

That cult has gone nuts, if they ever had any sanity. They don't even pretend to address issues - just foaming at the mouth about who they want to hurt.

The same lunatics who falsely claimed Obama had death panels turned out to be the real death panel.

So we GOTV. Hard. We don't get silent - we get loud, then louder, and finally loudest!

This is why I chose this name. Come 2024, it's time to boot out those goons!!

[AllaN01Bear]

10. if anyone of them come after me , it will be all over for them

[Shoonra]

13. Pay attention America!

I am Jewish, a Republican still (very still), and hetero, and I am very worried about next November. I am hoping the MAGA Republicans get the poop pounded out of them so the Party can rebuild in the likeness of Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.

[Elessar Zappa]

14. We're glad to have you as an ally, even if it isn't permanent.

Indeed I hope for a time where the Republican Party returns to sanity and you and I could be on opposite sides, debating real issues.

[Cyrano]

16. Your entire party has been kissing his orange ass for about seven years. Why would they stop now?

It's not just MAGAs. And the "Party of Teddy Roosevelt and Lincoln" are today's Democratic Party.

In case you weren't paying attention, the Parties switched identities when Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.

Actually, some kind of bot would probably think that today's Republican Party is that which existed in the Teddy Roosevelt/Lincoln years.

[Joinfortmill]

15. I felt that way in 2016. Even had a plan.

I'm retired, so Mexico and Portugal were my first choices. It wasn't so much antisemitism then, it was just crazy ass Trump and the misogynistic GOP. It's only gotten worse.

[Evolve Dammit]

18. Where did you land? Not inclined to go to Mexico but heard good things about Portugal.

[Joinfortmill]

26. Stayed in the States, but my plan

Was pretty comprehensive, included phones, banks etc. Had a spreadsheet. It kept me calm enough to wait and see if Joe would win.

[Evolve Dammit]

31. Very smart. Could probably start a "bug out/ exodus" app. Sadly

[enid602]

28. Retiring abroad

I’m 70. Would love to move to Argentina or Uruguay, but my Medicare is no good there. I could just come home twice a year for medical appointments, but after such a long flight I’d hate to encounter government agents upon entering the country.

[Evolve Dammit]

17. Her fears are legitimate. They are insane bloodthirsty fascists. She is not alone.

[Hieronymus Phact]

20. This will set off a kerfuffle but here goes:

<controversial>
Tell them to Buy a gun, and a storage device, and learn how to keep it, and use it with safety and responsibility.
These people won't wait forever for an election to validate their desires. They eventually will go door to door on their own. They're fantasizing about it now, but they will do it someday, and when they do the police won't help. They will either be too busy with all the other calls they're getting that night or they'll be joining in on the fun.
Learn to defend yourself.
If Matthew Shepard was armed, he might be alive today.
Don't live in fear!
</controversial>

[grandpamike1]

25. Keep your

Keep your powder dry to wait before taking action, but be ready to take action if it is necessary:

There is a 2nd Amendment remedy.

[vercetti2021]

30. I support this

I'm a trans woman in Texas who owns 8 guns now, regularly goes to ranges to learn all I can about getting better at using them. Trans people will be first to the gas chambers, I'm not going. I'm going out taking a few to hell with me if that's what it comes to.

[ismnotwasm]

21. K&R

[grandpamike1]

23. As Cher said

?feature=shared

[JoseBalow]

27. But the cops would protect us!

Just kidding, they're mostly fascist pigs

[womanofthehills]

29. Most of the Republicans I know are very pro Israel

They have a religious connection - evangelicals love Israel. Lots of evangelicals in Republican Party - including Mike Johnson. Actually, Vivek accused Johnson being more concerned about Israel than America. I love when Republicans attack each other.

At least a good percentage of the young have no problems with how anyone identifies sexually or what their race is. So many are mixed race themselves. My half Hispanic granddaughter’s best friend since she was 2 yrs old is half black & my granddaughter has never ever mentioned anything about her friend’s race or skin color - The new generation is different.

Most of my many Jewish friends look like my other friends - the only way most people would know they are Jewish is if they have a Jewish last name and most kids of today do not even know what last names are Jewish. Three of my Jewish girlfriends out here in NM married & have kids with Hispanic men. My great grandson with a very Hispanic name is Anglo, Hispanic and Arab. Mixed races - good for the future.

One of my good friends is Jewish with a Turkish last name. She had lived in Turkey in her youth with her ex - a Turkish man and kept his name. She asked me - will people think I’m Jewish or Arab because of my name? I told her the majority of people in US would not even know what an Arab last name would be.

[Oneironaut]

32. I understand the terror.

I wish I could say something that helps.

[Squatchman]

33. I'm in the arm yourself camp.

I know a lot of members here abhor guns.
But.
The founding fathers could see the benefits of a well armed society.

[honest.abe]

35. Im white, straight, male, and Christian and Im in constant fear also.

We are all in danger if Trump wins.

[Beastly Boy]

36. As antisemitism is being normalized all over the world,

Jews everywhere increasingly fear for their lives. Antisemitism is apolitical and gender neutral. Left, right, rich, poor, secular, sectarian, antisemites regularly veil themselves behind different labels, but the hate remains transparent no matter what they call themselves.

I fear tomorrow as much as I fear next November. And, unfortunally, in the face of growing global antisemitism, there is no place to run. Jews are left with only one choice: how to fight back, and not where to run or who to fight first.