Personal Reflections of a Middle-Aged Man

When one thinks about an occupied country, I would imagine the vision is one of troops in every city, military vehicles patrolling the streets 24/7, people ratting out their neighbors, and propaganda being broadcast via all media.

That’s what it looks like in the book of fiction and movies. In real life, it is much less than a soldier on every corner. Occupation is a strategic act or acts to make it appear as if there are troops everywhere, military vehicles 24/7, telling on another is common, and truth is only what the leader says it is.

Well, this is what is happening at key points around the country at this very moment.

The Republican White House placed first the National Guard, then active duty military personnel in Los Angeles. All under the pretense of an uprising. There was protesting going on, protests caused by the Republicans when ICE, as ordered, began arresting everyday people off the streets. They weren’t, and aren’t, arresting hardened criminals as they said they were going to do. No, they are arresting grandmas, mothers, children, fathers. Most, if not all, have no criminal history. In fact, most were following the necessary legal steps to be in the United since many were being arrested at the court house attending required immigration check-ins.

Is this the country we want to live in, where hard workers who for most, have been in the United States for decades, paying taxes, creating homes, working in jobs very few want, while receiving none of the benefits citizens are eligible to get?

The Republican White House next called out the National Guard to DC saying it was because crime is out of control. As with any major city, there is going to be crime as a “normal” event. The fact is, crime is actually decreasing in DC; as we know even a little crime is not what we’d like, but crime is not solved by the National Guard or military personnel. That is why we have local law enforcement, which Governor’s, Mayor’s, and Police Chiefs are elected and/or trained to handle.

Is this the country we want to live in, where a rogue president calls out the National Guard, and military, to any city, at any time, and threatens citizens and non-citizens alike?

Occupation is also what is happening at both the national and state levels. When the three branches of government refuse to act as checks on the others when it is acting un-Constitutionally, that too is an occupation. The checks set up by the Founding Fathers were meant to keep the country, and as importantly, all of us safe from tyranny and autocratic wannabes. Republicans in Washington, DC, and the Statehouses in so-called Red states are sadly and I would even say practicing dereliction of duty, are so full of lust for power and money, they are willing to burn the country to the ground in hopes they will get to enjoy the spoils. Just to be clear, we the people are the spoils.

Is this the country we want to live in, where billionaires and Russian assets tear us down until there is nothing left of us? Where billionaires tell us what to do and when through their algorithms and purchasing of politicians? Where there is accountability for us, but not them in their un-Constitutional actions? Where the media report what they think the authoritarian in the White House wants to hear rather than the actual facts? Where the person in charge of the nation’s health doesn’t believe in science?

Is this the country we truly want to live in?

If not, it is time for us non-billionaire class to take to the streets in peaceful protest, and, when the time comes, to participate in a general strike to show the billionaires and the authoritarians we want our country back!

This means the 3.8 million teachers who say they care about education and their profession in our country must stand up! The 16 million union members who say they value good paying jobs in our country must stand up! The 15.8 million veterans who swore to defend the Constitution must stand up! The 31.7 million LGBTQ+ members who say they care about equal rights must stand up! The 37 million adults living in poverty who want to do more than just make ends meet must stand up! The 1.2 million law enforcement officers who say they believe in the rule of law must stand up! The 325 thousand National Guard active duty personnel who swore to protect the Constitution must stand up! The 13.2 million white Democrats who say they believe in democracy must stand up! And the 51 million white women who say they believe in independence and control of their bodies must stand up!

If all of us came together to stand peacefully up together in protest or national strike to defend what we believe in, we could save our democracy, our freedoms, and our way of life united against the authoritarian billionaire class!!

We don’t have to agree with one another 100% on everything. But, we can come together 100% to save our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

United we stand, divided we fall. Together we can do this, and it will take all of us together to do so. Join me in defending democracy not for a select group of people, but for all of us.

Let’s take our country back from the Facists for a better America!

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I’ve often said we all need to be involved in saving democracy in the ways which fit our lives and our comfort levels. These can be blogging, reposting on social media, calling your elected officials, letters to the editor, donating to organizations, and/or marching in the streets. Nothing is too little or too much. Here are some ways to get involved whether from the comfort of your own homes, or on the streets, over the next few weeks:

• Call your U.S. Senator to demand they fight the Republican administration’s defiance of the court in following laws and the Constitution. The switchboard number is 202-224-3121. They will connect you with the correct senators. If you get their voicemail, which I do often, make sure to leave your name and address for your call to be registered as received.
• Sign up for General Strike and commit to participating.
• Download the app Five Calls to help let your elected officials know you are paying attention and don’t approve. Website: https://5calls.org/ 
• Join a local group of Indivisible.
• Participate in the action items of50501: 50 Protests, 50 States, 1 Movement.
• Continue to boycott companies who have bent the knee or no longer believe in equality. Don’t buy from national chains or companies, such as Target, Amazon, Tesla, Walmart, Apple and any others who are bending the knee and capitulating to authoritarianism and the billionaire class.
• Write letters to your local papers expressing your disappointment and tell your stories of how the Republican administration is harming our families.
• Please say thank you in some way to the universities, law firms, companies, and organizations not bending the knee and capitulating to the fascist-acting Republican Administration.
• Watch for and attend the next big nationwide protest when announced.
• Do something, anything, peaceful to fight back!