48 Comments
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Douglas Carlton's avatar

Great article. There is so much pearl clutching on the left right now and so little discussion of how we should proceed. Thank you, more of this please!

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Critical Resistance's avatar

Appreciate this! I think a lot of people are feeling the urgency but don’t know where to direct it. That’s why these conversations are so important—because if there’s one thing history has shown, it’s that power thrives when opposition is disorganized. The more we talk about what meaningful resistance looks like, the better prepared we’ll be.

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hehline's avatar

Also if you want to get really involved this group is 🔥. They (we) are building action groups across states in hopes that it will grow. Expanded is important. & We the people are the ones to make it happen. Check them out.

https://indivisible.org/groups

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Toria LaPointe's avatar

Your articles are amazing. I’ve read almost all of them so far. 1. How does America differ from other countries that have met with authoritative rule with our states operating within a larger governmental structure? I should know this, I’m sorry, but any of the other authoritarian takeovers - were they as complex and large of a country as ours? 2. Did any other countries have the vast independent news sources that we have right now? So much independent journalism is not letting them get away with this. 3. A lot of your articles make it seem as if it’s over and resistance is futile. I actually dont think that’s the ultimate intent but it’s slanted towards here’s what will happen. And while incredibly useful, how do we avoid the panic it causes?

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Critical Resistance's avatar

These are all excellent questions, and I appreciate you bringing them up.

1. The U.S. does differ in some key ways from past authoritarian takeovers. Our federal structure creates additional friction points, but it also means power grabs can happen at different levels, sometimes unnoticed until they’re entrenched. Historically, authoritarian regimes have taken over large, complex nations (Russia, China, Nazi Germany), but America’s scale and existing institutions make it unique.

2. Independent media is one of the biggest variables right now. The amount of alternative reporting we have is significant, but the challenge is breaking through the noise of corporate media dominance and social media manipulation. The question is whether independent journalism alone is enough to shift public awareness in time.

3. I understand how my writings may feel deterministic at times. My intent isn’t to suggest resistance is futile—quite the opposite. The goal is to remove illusions about what’s happening so that resistance can be more effective. Avoiding panic means focusing on preparation, connection, and understanding that while the path ahead is difficult, history shows that movements can shift power. I’m always thinking about how to balance realism with strategic hope, and I appreciate your perspective on this.

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Toria LaPointe's avatar

You’re so kind to reply with such intentional thought. Thank you!! Look forward to new articles of yours

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Neenah75's avatar

Wonderfully written and brilliant

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Willette Booze's avatar

Great article!

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Heather S's avatar

🙌💜✨

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Tracie Putnam's avatar

Great story. Why story. Because that’s what history is. Fundamentally.

We can learn from our mistakes, as humankind never does. Sigh. Same ole same, story.

Focusing on what we CAN do, in this moment of our story is paramount.

Let’s go back to ‘our’ collective American story of the 60’s and 70’s shall we?

We did not have any social media.

Legacy media was available, and unwilling.

We certainly did not have any legislation behind us. Nor lawmakers.

Guess what happened?

We. Did. It. Without. Them.

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Ellesse_R's avatar

I agree, our focus must be in maintaining and increasing pressure at all possible levels - it must be seen, felt, and heard, breaking the consolidation of power, and on offering a better option. Focus on "what we CAN do" and do it. Keep on it. Did Ukraine roll over in a month? No. Nor have other nations' citizens. Let's step up to the plate, too!! Let's be people we can be proud of!

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No Country For Old White Men's avatar

Your articles are so helpful. Can you make some of the advice real through examples of what your advice could look like modeled out? For example, “Instead of dismissing their extremism, we must amplify their words to ensure the public understands just how dangerous they are.” What would that look like in action when most of the public either only follows mainstream social media or traditional media- both likely censured

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Steph C's avatar

This☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻

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KRH Sr's avatar

it amazes me how cruel MAGA people can be. MAGA  believe in this BS about cost cutting savings without any evidence. Thousands of innocent people have lost their ability to pay their expenses. Food, mortgage, car, health insurance etc. and MAGA is willing to sit back and say what a great way to cut cost destroy someone’s life. They do not realize that after they destroy government workers they are coming after theme. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid , healthcare and any other government program that helps any and all human beings. History will show that a MAGA congress was in charge and they stood by and watched their nation torn apart when they could have stopped the destruction.  They will also asked why didn’t the 270 million voters rescue and protect their constitution.

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Jon Saxton's avatar

I believe that the clear majority of the American people will, in fact, find the Trump and Muskreant agenda intolerable and will reject it.

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Alicia Swaringen's avatar

This is what I've been looking for! I feel like a general looking at a battlefield, how to attack the enemies weaknesses and bolster and use our strengths!!

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Joan DeVaughn's avatar

This article articulated the need for everyday citizens to be informed and speak up. We cannot ignore what's happening. We must defeat authoritarianism in a peaceful but directed and purposeful way.

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Kathryn Busch's avatar

You have been the strongest of the writers… thanks for you forthright thoughts, they help to define where I stand and what I can do to resist!!!!❤️❤️❤️

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Carolyn Hancock's avatar

This is a very good article and serious discussion for resistance. I cannot help but wonder about charismatic leadership to unify and motivate the people. Where are they???

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Critical Resistance's avatar

Resistance doesn’t come when we give our power away; it comes when we recognize how to wield it. The idea that we must wait for a singular, charismatic leader to emerge is a conditioned response—a symptom of how power has been structured in hierarchical societies.

True resistance is decentralized. It thrives when people understand their own agency and act collectively, not in passive expectation of a savior. The Extraction Class wants people to believe they are powerless, that without institutions or figureheads, they cannot organize or resist. But history tells a different story. The most effective resistance movements weren’t built on a single leader—they were built on shared understanding, widespread action, and the realization that power is only as strong as the number of people willing to obey it.

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Carolyn Hancock's avatar

Thanks for clarifying my concerns.

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🍁Pamallo🍁's avatar

Take down the politicians who hold him up and he will fall, start investigating all the small time players first then the next then the next eventually no one will be there to hold him up, you can’t start at the top jmo

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Cwazykitty's avatar

That has been my message for quite awhile. Focus on the supporting actors. Go against Heritage Foundation and their leaders, protest at all the corporate news outlets and voice your outrage that they aren't doing their job, put pressure on the Supreme Court for allowing this to happen. Etc. Etc.

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Debra Seitz's avatar

Bring it!!!!! Bring it!!!!!Bring it!!!! PLEASE, I AM BEGGING YOU

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Sheron McRoberts's avatar

When? Better be soon!

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