We Must Resist, Without Falling Short
We need to resist the incoming Trump administration. But like other in-coming Republican presidents. The Left and liberals disagree on how to go about such a resistance. And what I am about to bring up is no different. For those who do not know who Robert Reich is at this point, then let provide an overview of his work. He was the Secretary of Labor under (Bill) Clinton administration, who was one of the architects of the neoliberal, globalization policies of NAFTA and CAFTA, plus has written books on his pro-capitalist viewpoint when it comes to economics. Recently, he uploaded a video on YouTube titled “100 Days Resistance”. This outlines an “agenda” on how to conduct a resistance in the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency. Though the items on this agenda have its merits, they fall short to advance any real resistance to the Trump administration. Here are those items.
1.Call your US House Representatives, and Senators, to object any Trump nominees or any agenda coming out of the Trump White House.
This form of “monkeywreching” has been called for on many fronts. And any correspondence to an elected official will not us anywhere. The Democrats have gathered to formulate their own business they want to conduct, and have not shared that with you. The same person who voted that elected official into office. One way to get an elected official or their office staff is to form a group sit-ins in their offices. Both in the district and their DC office. If that cannot happen, then create occupations near their district office. While you send a person to the office to speak with the official, or ranking staff member.
2. March and demonstrate.
Reich uses the Women’s March on Washington for this example. Marches are a good way to show solidarity. But that is the extent of marches. We look to the March on Washington during the Civil Rights movement, as the model of why we need them. But the march did not advance human rights in this nation. It took direct action that disrupted the racist’s action that was in our communities. Also, a march is a one-time thing. Reich goes on this point to note that “there should be sister marches all the time”. And I love that spirit, but to make that call means you need to have the kind of capacity to have a march, after march, after march. As someone who has expressed that we need to have the kind of capacity when your hometown pro sports wins a championship, to show up on issues we are passionate about. But it is just not there.
3. Create your city, or state, a sanctuary for immigrants that are seeking refuge.
The pretense to this is that a lot of progressives are in areas to push any kind of local ordinance or state legislation. This may work in cities like Chicago and states like California. But it will not work in cities like Peoria, Illinois and states like Colorado. Plus, pushing for any kind policy like a sanctuary city, or state, does not really protect immigrants that are seeking refuge. Just like how the Emancipation Proclamation did not really free slaves in the South, protect those in the North, or for Western states and territories. It is a good feeling that our city and state is called a “sanctuary”, but to really protect immigrants. We have to make sure they have the same rights as we do, if not help them strive towards those right. We also need to aid them in our communities. Whether you escort someone to the grocery store, or engage in dialogue with a person in public. You just carried out the kind of sanctuary that no public policy or resolution can do. Being a good person to your fellow community resident.
4. Boycott all products that associate with the Trump brand.
We have seen this numerous of times. When the Koch Brothers were in the limelight, or during anti-GMO efforts. Lists were made, and shared on social media. This is more of the same. The problem with this is quite simple. The general public has a capitalist addiction. By that I mean people will not stop their spending on Amazon. If a massive quantity of people stops their purchases on the e-commerce site, which leads to relocate your shopping efforts elsewhere. I recommend shop at your local, independent store. Then the company will notice their stock price on the decline, and possibly make the necessary changes. The people have relied too much on sites like Amazon, Zappos, Jet, and related sites. Also, big box retail stores that span from Bed Bath & Beyond to Lord & Taylor. Just so they can get the price possible. To curb this requires a cultural shift in how we view materialistic things as well as lead a real effort to focus on buying local.
5. Write Letters to the Editors and Op-Eds to your newspaper.
To make this strategy work, then you need to collaborate with people on the same side as you as well as listen actively to those same people, but have a different viewpoint than you. That leads to the other flaw, which is not being fully critical. I have seen many Letters to the Editors and Op-Eds written by progressives, where it broadcasts to the same choir. With no mention of the issue, that branches at the root level of the problem. A similar issue ties into the next point.
6. Contribute to social media, by up to date actions that Trump is doing.
Since the inception of social media, mainly Facebook and Twitter. Has been the prime objective for activists. Any reports on certain information usually do not get look pass the headline, when it comes to sharing the information online. This goes beyond fake news. There have been times I have seen people share an article, who are claiming themselves as progressives. Yet they share libertarian think tank group posts. Media literacy is vital when you want to contribute on social media.
7. Contribute to Opposition Groups.
I feel it is worth to note, that of the organizations mentioned in the video: ACLU, Common Cause, Southern Poverty Law Center, Economic Policy Institute, and Inequality Media. Three of them Reich serves on as a board member and other active roles. Those intrigued to what organizations Reich serves on, they are Common Cause, Economic Policy Institute, and Inequality Media. More importantly. All of these organizations have leaned towards, if not act as an arm of, the Democratic Party. If you want to contribute to real opposition groups, then I suggest the following examples that show resistance:
Rural Organizing Project, IWW, Speaking Truth Power, School of the Americas Watch, Black Lives Matter, and Coalition of Immokalee Workers
8. Make the resistance visible with bumper stickers, lapel pins, and other accessories.
This author appreciates any outward expression. To draw attention as a way to spark a conversation is fine. Though a bumper sticker on your car, or laptop, to show your disdain offers a limited distance. Same goes for any other accessory. I would also fold in a safety pin. These create more of a blanket of comfort than to defy something or someone.
9. Push progressive causes in your state and local level.
This happens all the time. Even when states, and cities, with strong Democratic Party control bodies. Yet, still, any progressive cause does not advance due to the gatekeepers within those local and state government entities. So how is this going to be any different? This point is trying to stoke a fire, with no flame to begin with.
10. Start a move in your state to abolish the Electoral College.
The real question at this point should be this. Why is this important now? This was raised back during the 2000 election, and no movement happen then. And if you want to talk about a progressive cause. Then why was it not brought up during Obama’s tenure as president? Like the 2000 election, this issue will flame out in 6 months.
11. Reach out to Independents, and Trump supporters who agree with this agenda.
Why? Independents have lost faith to progressives, and liberals, that have failed them. Independents also want to see the action of real change. Not actions that to look busy. Regarding Trump supporters. If they support Trump, then they will not agree with most of these points.
Reich concludes to say that you choose what you want to do. It could be one, or each item, for an hour a day for the next 100 days of Trump’s administration. The items listed on here is finite. These items are the same call anytime a Republican president takes office. When progressives, and liberals, make these calls, then the go about their usual way. They puff up on how upset they are and vote back in the same people that continue with the same systemic problems we are facing. If you want to build a future worthy of your dreams, then you need to participate in real, actionable change.
You can also listen to this article on the Chicago Podcast Network
