Fight Fascism - Stay focused - Take action on Gaza
Charlie Cooper
Stay focused on the big problems that matter in the world
Defeating Trump is absolutely necessary but not sufficient. Over the next several decades, we must:
Avoid major wars with Russia and China
Prevent an accidental nuclear catastrophe
Transition to renewable energy and other sustainable technologies and mitigate climate damage
Ensure that AI is not utilized for exploitation and oppression
Tax the rich
Unwind monopolies
Make it easier for workers to unionize
Reform a U.S. health care system that wastes nearly $2 trillion per year.
Many people are gleeful about the prospect that Epstein-related revelations will harm Trump. Others are hoping he will become more warlike vis a vis Russia. These are major distractions from focusing on the movement organizing and political messaging that can bring progress toward equality, justice, peace, and sustainability. And if we obsess about various ways Trump can defeat himself, we may fail to do the work necessary to defeat him.
Democrats lost the 2024 election because they did not connect well enough with tens of millions of working-class voters. Many Democratic Party leaders don’t grasp the daily financial problems those voters have to live with, preferring to lecture them about “economic indicators.” The mainstream Democratic Party looks for “magic messages” that won’t piss off their billionaire funders while somehow distracting voters from reality.
What can we, as individuals, and as members of progressive organizations do to keep the focus on the big goals and the lifesaving transformation that we need?
Patronize non-corporate news sources like Democracy Now, Drop Site News, Popular Information, and ProPublica.
Don’t follow the Democratic Party; demand that it become truly democratic and pro-working class.
Work for social justice, but don’t get caught up in virtue signalling and word policing.
Show up at anti-fascist rallies.
Talk with young people.
Promote the causes: economic equality, peace, climate justice, and unions whenever we can.
Rubio stops medical visas for Palestinian children
Why am I flabbergasted? The Secretary of State’s announcement is yet another instance of the Trump administration using the worst type of racial and ethnic hatred to divide people.
Youtube star Ms. Rachel dances with Rahaf, a Palestinian double amputee who was treated by Shriners Hospital in Missouri
Rubio’s action echoes not only Trump’s hateful immigration and “anti-woke” policies, but it also typifies the anti-Palestinian attitudes that have justified active support for genocide during the both the Biden and Trump administrations. In the past few weeks, Israelis are escalating opposition to the Netanyahu plan. Some directly oppose the use of starvation and denial of medical care to empty Gaza of Palestinians while a larger group thinks the strategy is harming the prospects for hostage release.
Trump recently expressed 100% support for Netanyahu’s plans for Palestinians: "We will only see the return of the remaining hostages when Hamas is confronted and destroyed!!! The sooner this takes place, the better the chances of success will be."
How do I contact my senators and representative?
Members of Congress are sensitive to messages from constituents. From my conversations with staff aides recently, it is very clear that public opinion is shifting against continuation of Israel’s ethnic cleansing and genocide.
Step 1: Your two senators are Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen
Step 2: Click here to find the congressional district for your address
Step 3: Give your name and address and a very brief message tailored for your representative as indicated in the bullets above. If you are Jewish, it’s good to mention that. Voicemail is fine.
Fearing a mid-term loss, Trump tries another unconstitutional attack on elections
Trump plans to issue an Executive Order outlawing mail-in voting and voting machines. Time reports: “Although Trump says he will use Executive Order powers to end the practice, the U.S. Constitution directs state legislatures to determine the ‘times, places and manner’ of holding elections. . . .”