We’ve been here before — from 2003 to 2007, George W. Bush was President and Republicans controlled both houses of Congress. We know what to do — organize, protest, VOTE, and work the system from every angle.
City council and county government decisions can by swayed by a few dozen emails, letters and personal visits. State legislative races can be decided by a hundred votes. Pay attention, build an email or text message list and when important issues come up, mobilize. Carpool to public meetings. These tactics aren’t innovative or new or difficult — they require dedication and focus. Most elected officials truly want to serve their constituents and they often hear from only the most focused and dedicated. It’s okay to become those people.
County and state Democratic parties are always in need of help. It’s easy to get involved and once you’re involved and known, you’re an insider and that makes it easier to influence platforms, messages and tactics. Attend party meetings, conventions, caucuses and other gatherings.
Run for office. Many elected offices do not require you to quit your job — the Salt Lake City council, for example, meets Tuesday evenings. Members hold full time jobs. County level offices are the same way. There are often benefits — for example, city council members in many Utah cities are eligible to sign up for the state insurance plan (which is generous).
If you can’t run for office, help recruit candidates and volunteer for their campaigns. Look through the election returns — you’ll be surprised at how many candidates were unopposed. Campaigns don’t have to be ridiculously expensive — recruit good volunteers, do some legwork, some old-fashioned door knocking and you can accomplish a lot.
Okay a few more thoughts, in no particular order:
Things are more dire now, yes, Trump is far more dangerous than George W. Bush. But, today’s Republican party is more divided. Trump and Congressional Republicans do not share goals or ideology. Democrats have proven effective in the past at exploiting those divides. We need to pressure elected Dems to do that.
We were always going to have to rebuild the Democratic party after this election. The Obama years have seen a hollowing out of the party at state and local levels. Without a President Clinton to defend, that energy can into rebuilding the party. Mind you, we’d be better off with a President Hillary Clinton but that’s not happening.
Brush off your old copies of Lakoff’s Don’t Think of An Elephant. Message matters and we got off message the last few years.
Lots of Republicans voted for Trump despite his public statements and positions. They may not be racist, sexist, bigoted jerks, but they own Trump and everything he does. In a few years, we’ll hear them making excuses for how they didn’t know. They chose to not acknowledge it. When Trump starts doing the things he said he’d do, they’re going to want to deny their culpability. We need to hold them accountable — you voted for him, you own what he’s doing. If it offends you, help us end it.
There’s a temptation to start new organizations; after all the existing organizations didn’t work. I think that’s mistaken. Existing organizations have mailing lists, members, established contacts. We need those things. Their members are as frustrated as we are but may feel burned out, tired or at a loss. Sometimes a jolt of new energy is all they need. Be that jolt.
Things could get much worse before they get better. Focus on the long term goal — a vibrant, pluralistic USA.