EDITOR’S NOTE: I’m asked often about what I read – what sources am I relying upon right now to provide accurate information because so many people have dis-engaged from media. “I just can’t watch the news …” NPR and the AP continue to be reliable sources for truthful, accurate information. For political and historical perspective, Heather Cox Richardson, and I’ve been sharing Rubia Garcia’s – 24 headlines from the past 24 hours, and several other Substacks and blogs. Including the Card Campaign. This post from a few days ago is a great checklist of the most frequently asked question, “What can we do?” I’d also add – ACT LOCAL! Volunteer in your local community. Donate to your local food bank and local organizations. Take care of your neighbors. Connect with local groups that are protesting and taking action. We the people have the power ,and we need to make our wishes known with our voices and our votes.
From the “Card Campaign” – Facebook page …
After sharing Heather Cox Richardson about the kleptocracy taking over America, the Card Campaign had many asking:
“What can we do?”
First, we have to come to terms with the fact that we have a long road ahead of us to reclaim our democracy and rebuild into a society that’s more just, more equal, and more inclusive, and it’s going to take every ounce of strength and determination we can muster. Take a break to recharge and refresh when you need to, to keep that spark of hope alive, but always come back to rejoin the fight for this country that we all love.
Find your support network. Join a pro-democracy group in your area – Indivisible, 50501, Red Wine & Blue, Volunteer.org, your Democratic committee, or another local group. If you can’t join a local group, find an online community like this one at Card Campaign. But knowing we have community and support is critical to our mental health and being able to keep moving forward.
Stay informed. The more you know, the more effective you are in reaching out to other people and in helping inform voters about issues that affect all of us whether we live in big cities or rural villages. The Card Campaign cards are a tool you can use for yourself and put to use everywhere you go. It may not seem like you’re making a difference, but getting just a few people to start thinking, start questioning, is vitally important. Informed voters are the best defense we have against authoritarianism.
Keep calling, emailing, and sending postcards to Senators and Representatives, especially Republicans. Postcards work best because you can write to any member of Congress even if you’re not in their state or district, and postcards don’t have to go through the same security protocols that letters do. Here again, you may not feel like you’re being heard but every call, email, and postcard is logged and puts just a little more pressure on Congress. And we must apply the maximum pressure possible, so call or write every day, if possible, and speak up on every issue.
All across the country, candidates are starting to declare for the 2026 elections. This past month, 52,000 races were decided – everything from governors to judges to dog catchers, and ballot initiatives. In November 2026 there will be exponentially more.
Start looking now at who is running to represent you in Congress (every seat in the House of Representatives is up for grabs) and in your state legislatures. Find the people who most align with your thinking and support them. Talk to them. Let them know what you want to see from them. Remember, democracy stands or falls on the local and state level first.
VOTE! Make sure you’re registered and do what you can to help others get registered. Then, vote! Vote in every primary and every election, and cast your vote wisely. Don’t hold out for the “perfect” candidate; there isn’t one. Don’t sit out any election because you don’t like the people running or someone’s stance on one particular issue. Vote anyway. It’s a cliché for a reason: Your Vote Is Your Voice. Use it!
Last, but not least, keep the faith. We know that some days it’s so very hard – believe me, we get discouraged, too. But, we firmly believe ultimately we will prevail, that our democracy will survive because we’re not willing to give up our freedoms. Remember, there are 340 million people in this country.
As was exposed last week, a good portion of the loudest MAGA voices shouting at us come from troll and bot farms in other countries. The actual number in the MAGA cult is rather small and continuing to shrink. Most Republican-leaning voters really are just like you and me and carry the same everyday worries – and we have a chance to reach them.
We have the numbers and the power to make real change and those who are trying to install an authoritarian regime to benefit themselves know it. They’re actually terrified that we are seizing our power and will wield it against them. And we’re going to do just that, one step at a time.
ONWARD!