14 years on.

[wiley]

I think it's been 14 years. But I saved all my posts from DU in a separate journal and started reading some. If I had been removed from all interaction since then I would not believe what is going on in this country. I would not believe that this is the same country I was born in, and grew up in. And as someone that was really involved in developing new applications for the Internet I would never have believed that the impact of social networking apps would be so corrosive.

What hasn't changed at all, though, is what Republicans believe and often say, and what they are wiling to do to the truth and our Democracy to get power. This may be hard to believe but there was a time when Chuck Grassley, for example, would have never have associated with someone that actually was trying to collude with the Russians against Hillary Clinton - or any American.

It's tiring to follow. The pace is dizzying and tiresome. I lived through the Nixon era. This is so much worse and absolutely evil. Responding on social media may let people believe that we have done or accomplished something. I'm worried that unlike before once something falls off the media radar that the public will just forget. We are currently being set up to believe that the Russia investigation into Trump's crimes against this country and our Democracy never happened.

14 years ago you still hit the streets. We need to do that in every CD in every state now in response to the tax fraud scam that Republicans are calling a bill. The cuts in Medicaid and Medicare alone will lead to deaths and enormous suffering. And no middle class or working person will ever get anything from it. Poor people will suffer greatly. This is the repeal of Obamacare, the death of Medicaid, severe damage to Medicare and an outright assault on everyone except the white, male 1% in this country.

We need to hit the streets again. I'll bring my cane this time around.

[BigmanPigman]

1. The youth of America it too caught up in

believing the American Dream still exists as they drink their Pumpkin Spiced Starbucks Latte. They will hit the streets if Starbucks cuts their latte ingredients in half but charge the same price, and that isn't even a guarantee that they would get off of their yoga firmed asses. I agree with you 100% but Americans' priorities have shifted and now they only care about how many "likes" they get in their Twitter fueled minds.

[wiley]

2. Perhaps

I've been surprised by the intense commitment and interest in being involved by many people way younger than I. Unfortunately they will be slammed very hard if this tax fraud bill goes through. Jus the fact that CHIP has not be funded yet should really have everyone up in arms. Most young people I've met just seem to need a few examples of how to do direct action. Although I don't ever go to Starbucks there's no reason why they couldn't be used for organizing venues or places to do outreach. That's kind of a unjustified characterization about young people. They may expect things we worked very, very hard for to be readily available to them - isn't that why we did it in the first place? - but sadly we are all going to see 50 years of progress vanish in a very ugly, brutal manner. CHIP, DACA, reproductive choices and basic first amendment rights are under attack. You should get your foul mouthed retired union butt on the street and set an example! Aight?

[BigmanPigman]

3. Oh, I have been resisting like crazy for a year.

I have made over 400 calls to Congress, mostly due to the ACA which I desperately need since I was diagnosed last year and got BAD and now very expensive news. Even though I am not feeling that great often I have been to 11 anti-moron rallies, have been on monthly nationwide phone calls with MoveOn, have gone to Indivisible and other Dem groups meetings, have written numerous letters to politicians and signed hundreds of petitions. I have been making by hands pins, bumper stickers, and earrings and I give them away when I get complimented. I will phone bank for Indivisible too. Whatever I can manage I will continue to do and RESIST!

I am not "retired"officially. I had to stop reaching since I got sick but I was too young to get retirement pension and benefits...that is why I have the ACA with subsidies. My pain will be so severe that meds will not help, only expensive surgeries to temporarily relieve it will be necessary for the rest of my life. As a teacher I saved every penny but surgeries are expensive and as it is now 30+% of my disability income goes toward my health insurance and Rx. I will lose all of my savings and have to use my 83 year old parents' saving to pay my medical bills. My entire family is encouraging and supportive. We are 3 generations of liberals and they hope I see the moron in jail before I die...that way I can die in peace.

[renate]

4. I'm so sorry for what you're going through

It's just barbaric that when people get devastating health news they have to spend one single moment worrying about the devastation to their financial lives as well. Absolutely barbaric.

I wish you the very best, healthwise and everything else-wise.

[wiley]

5. Good!

Keep fighting! You are not alone. There are tens of millions of us in the sae condition, and even more that support us. But every call you make is effective and meaningful! Please let us know about every one so we can encourage every single person here to join you online and on the streets! Hope you feel good today and every day! Know we all support you!

[BigmanPigman]

6. I have done that.

I've listed the names and phone numbers of the key reps to call at given dates and a lot of DUers did call. I also post lists of rallies in various cities whenever I get word. There are many resisters on DU.