Part I of the post was a couple of years ago, after the president won the election. Some of this post is a carryover from that original post, as it is still relevant.

 

There have been enough thoughts expressed about the president. I of course have my own opinions, and while thinking about how I would approach my first blog post since the impeachment proceedings in the US Senate I decided to write about what I and we can do today rather than writing about how I wish impeachment had gone.The words that come to me are resistance and voting. I realize obstruction is in the title. That still holds, but less than voting at this point so close to the election.

 

I have laughed almost out loud when watching the news or reading articles online which say that some Republicans are telling people to support the will of the people, to support the president and his corrupt government. I laugh because for the eight years prior to this president Republicans did everything they could to obstruct President Obama, and they did so without any concern for the country. Now they want us to be quiet and to fall in line with their impeachment decision, just like they wanted us to do when the president started in office.

 

No thank you.

 

Before I suggest some action items, I’d like to say that I know some readers voted for Trump/Pence. Some may still support them. We may disagree on many things yet I would also add that we have more in common than not. I hope you continue to read my blog and please know that I am always open to having a discussion of our views.

 

I have written my Congresswoman as well as my state legislators asking them to oppose the new president in any way they can. Of course state legislators have less power, yet I want them to know how I feel about all of this. I still want them to stand up to the president, and even more, I want them to stand up against his cabinet, his vice president, his government and his policies. I want them to remember who they represent and that there will most likely be many fights to come.

 

The Republicans have a ton of power, although less than they had when Part I was written as they no longer control the house. They have had that same power in the recent past. I am much more concerned about this go around than when it last occurred that they had the Presidency, the House and the Senate. First is the US Supreme Court. A conservative court, especially a socially conservative court, could destroy women’s rights and LGBTQ rights. Immigration and the environment could also be hugely effected. I am concerned about the environment as most connected to the new President don’t believe in or don’t care about climate change. We have already seen how the President has affected the Supreme Court.

 

Our electeds can do their best to fight and obstruct, and we must do the same. We must take action, and from my viewpoint, we must take non-violent action. I am totally opposed to violence in any form, and will speak out against violence and refuse to allow those using violence to speak in my name. I have already seen violence in the past few days and it sure bums me out. Violence weakens us.

 

There are many actions we can take now. We can start today. Some of these are actions I have consistently put out there and others are ones I have liked that I’ve read this week:

 

VOTE.

 

Pick two states that have a Republican Senator running for re-election and do all you can to support the Democrat. I picked Colorado and Arizona and am already active.

 

Speak out against any racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ, anti immigrant, etc. actions that you see. It might not be comfortable, but we must speak out against it.

 

I am a Democrat. If you are also a Democrat, please write the DNC and tell them that they must clean house. They must become ethical and become an organization for the people, not for other Democrats in power.

 

Engage with those who might disagree with you. Be kind. If we keep yelling at each other nothing will change. I am certain that many people are open to honest conversation.

 

Donate to groups that are fighting this administration, like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. There are many more of course, but you get what I’m saying.

 

Love and nurture your communities. We all need this. We are much stronger together and there are many in our communities who are going through a lot right now. Be there for them.

 

Get out of ourselves. I have spent time volunteering at the border in Tijuana in support of people seeking asylum. Being of service to others helps them and you! It’s also how we should be anyway.

 

When speaking out against Trump, Pence are anyone they end up bringing into their government, use facts and not emotion. Our fight needs facts. And specifics around policy.

 

Finally, for now, get to know your electeds and get active politically where you live. It will make a difference come the next election.

 

This post has ended up being one of my longest. If you made it to the end, thank you. Together we can make sure that our communities stay safe in the next few years and that those things important to us are kept in the spotlight.