Shock and AYFKM?
Overwhelm is the name of their game
It’s been a little over a week since our Supreme Leader took charge of the House of White. They promised “shock and awe” but I wasn’t expecting so much, “Are you fucking kidding me?” and “I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.” and “Where the fuck is Congress and the courts?” and “Oh shit, no one is coming to save us. We have to do this ourselves.”
This isn’t our first rodeo with the Orange POS, so let’s remember what we learned last time. He’s a talker. He talks so much shit that you can’t hardly keep up. That’s the plan. They want you to focus on dumb shit like the Gulf of America so you don’t notice that they’re giving fetuses “personhood” or their nominee for the Secretary of Health is a guy who doesn’t believe in vaccines or Elon Musk and a bunch of pimply-faced nerds have access to your Social Security numbers.
We can’t get bogged down or else we’ll lose our minds. This is a strategy. This is a planned attack. They come out firing off what seemed like a 1,000 executive orders and cabinet picks that resembled a B-list celebrity cast of “Big Brother” so that you’re blinded by the information overload. Our brains can only process so much and once it’s had enough, it shuts down. We’re quickly entering into shut down mode.
It feels like it’s been a year and it’s only been a week. But SO MUCH has happened and we’re in a constant state of fight or flee or faint. You can’t take it all in. It’s impossible. You can’t fight every one of his decrees. That’s also impossible. You’ll burn out. You’ll go back to bed and turn on Netflix and hope they don’t come for you.
The only way to fight this is for you to FOCUS. Pick one—maybe two—things that are important to you. Maybe it’s mass deportations, maybe it’s women’s reproductive rights, maybe it’s Elon Fucking Musk, maybe it’s tariffs, maybe it’s the climate. Whatever you think is the most important issue, FIGHT THAT. Don’t worry about what else is going on, someone else is fighting for DEI or the Panama Canal. If you focus up, you’ll have a much better chance of making a difference. If you’re constantly being derailed because yet another Executive Order came out or another plane fell out of the sky or another country has announced they won’t be buying US products, you can’t make a difference.
Pick your issue and stick with it. BOMBARD your Senators. Let them know that you’re a registered voter in their state and that you want to know what the fuck they’re doing to stop this bullshit. Call them, email them, mail them postcards, hire a skywriter. The BEST thing you can do is show up. If you know they’re holding a public meeting somewhere, GO. If they’re brave enough to host a town hall anytime soon, GO. Show up and demand accountability from them. If they agree with this shit, then ask them WHY? Why would they agree with a billionaire asshole having access to Social Security payments? Why would they agree with a trade war with our closest trading partners? Why would they agree to allow a man who doesn’t believe in science to take charge of the Health Department? Why did they confirm a man to Secretary of Transportation when his only experience with transportation was being on Road Rules? If they don’t disagree with this shit, then ask them WHAT ARE THEY DOING? What is their plan to stop this? What have they already done to combat these outrageous executive orders?
Don’t get overwhelmed. Put on your blinders and keep on your path. Don’t lose hope either. This is just the beginning and if you’re already losing hope, it’s going to be a long 4 years. Dictators have been brought down over and over again and this group is no different. They are human and have weaknesses like anyone else. Figure out what their weaknesses are and EXPLOIT them.
Don’t be afraid to be angry. Anger is a terrific motivator and it can also keep you warm on a cold night. Be a loud, bossy, angry woman. Who gives a fuck? They hate us already, give them more reasons to hate us. Use what privilege you have to help others who don’t. Speak up for them when they can’t speak up. Call out bad behavior when you see it. You aren’t alone, there are many people who think the same way you do, but everyone thinks they’re alone. When you see someone else calling out bad behavior, join in—there’s strength in numbers.
This is a small minority of assholes who are trying to stage a coup (I don’t use that word lightly) and that should not be allowed. We have checks and balances for a reason. Trump is not a King. Elon is not his Queen. These are just greedy, soulless, egotistical fuckers who think they’re above the law.
No one is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves, but we also have to care for ourselves. Take care of your mental, physical, and spiritual health, but don’t give up the fight.
You got this, keep going.
How many times can I say thank you. I have been in shell shock the last week from the insanity hitting the fan, and simply trying to find a way to protect my husband and I from the shrapnel. Your advise is good, solid reasoning and makes sooooo much sense. I shall be passing your thoughts along for my friends who need a life raft to grab. If I believed in god I'd say bless you but I don't, so instead...the Kitchen Witch gives an approving nod in your direction.
My focus is education, specifically special education and services to the disabled. I have a daughter with Down Syndrome and seeing the supports and programs she relies on cut off are absolutely unacceptable. Inclusion is part of DEI, afterall. This administration is set on killing our public schools and with that education and then employment of our special needs kids. We are fighting with everything we have.