If You're Feeling Discouraged

Read these words of hope from blogger Jessica Craven

I think she puts it very well. They’re beatable.

I didn’t write this, but I think it’s so important to amplify this message. Spread hope.

From Chop Wood, Carry Water - Inspiration and Hope by Jessica Craven
"I won’t take time to rehash the many outrages already visited upon us by the new Trump Presidency. Of them, I am sure, you’re well aware. What I will do is offer you a few reminders. They’re not meant to be a panacea—nothing can sugarcoat the dangerous moment we’re in—but I do hope they help take the edge off of the worst of your anxiety.

“First, remember that Trump’s flurry of Executive Orders were meant to dishearten, dismay, and overwhelm you—to provoke “shock and awe.” Don’t give him (or his team) the satisfaction. Remember, EO’s provide red meat for Trump’s base, but we know from recent history that they’re not always enforceable. Many will be held up in litigation for years, and some—like the birthright citizenship order—will almost certainly be deemed unconstitutional. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be upset by them, but it’s easier to tolerate the distress when we remember that not all of these orders will actually come to pass.

“Second, on climate specifically, remember how much power states have. While Trump has withdrawn from the Paris agreement, states can and will continue transitioning to clean energy—some more and some less, for sure, but the direction the country—and the world— is going in is clear. Clean energy is cheaper. It’s abundant. And it’s popular. Trump can posture as much as he wants, but he can only do so much to slow the inevitable. Remember, much of the money for Inflation Reduction Act programs is already out the door. The projects being funded are largely bringing jobs and economic stimulus to red states. Trump can try to stop them, but doing so will be politically costly. Meanwhile Blue states can and will work to make up the losses we suffer on a federal level.

“Third, remember, as Dan Pfeiffer reminded us yet again this morning, that Trump’s policies are deeply unpopular. Americans elected him by a slim margin because they wanted cheaper eggs. Not a single EO Trump announced will meaningfully accomplish that goal. Mass deportations will achieve the opposite. So will tariffs. Ending birthright citizenship is unpopular. Pardoning the January 6 rioters is deeply, deeply so. Trump is assuming he can do whatever he wants and maintain Americans’ support. He is wrong.

“Fourth, never underestimate Trumpworld’s propensity for self-destruction. Some of the work of ridding ourselves of these crooks will be done without our lifting a finger. Vivek Ramaswamy, for example, is already gone. Others will soon follow. Remember, the average lifespan of a Trump appointee is “one Scaramucci.” Bannon has sworn to destroy Musk. Musk seems hellbent on destroying himself. Enmities and grudges abound. Internecine battles will be the order of the day. To some extent we can trust in this band of brigands to destroy itself. Of course, bad actors can and will be replaced, but some of the worst offenders will swiftly leave the scene. We can rely on it.

“Fifth, there’s us. And really, this is the most important part. As Robert Hubbell often says, “we’re not potted plants.” Quite the contrary. We are a force to be reckoned with. We have agency, intelligence, courage, strength, and vast numbers on our side. We have the artists. We have the educated. We have the decent majority. We have money. We have the moral high ground. We have a vast network of seasoned activists who know how to fight and have shown themselves willing to do so. We have democracy movements the world over rooting for us. We have some incredible elected officials. We have a ton of experience winning tough fights. Most importantly, we have each other.

“This is going to be a slog, folks. I wish it weren’t our reality—I really do. But it is, and it’s important for us to see the danger with clear eyes. That means not underestimating the threat, yes. But it also means not overestimating it. Trump and his team are formidable, but they’re not superhuman. They’re beatable. Their greed makes them clumsy. They have blind spots. We will find them and exploit them. We are up to the job. We have to be.

“We will not be able to take on every challenge, nor should we. They want us to exhaust ourselves right off the bat. That’s why they’re “flooding the zone.” We must not rise to the bait. We’ll do what we can, then go back to our lives and insist on maintaining joy at all costs.

“I repeat: we must insist on maintaining joy at all costs.

“I’m sure you’ve all seen “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Remember the Who’s in Whoville? Remember how they held hands and sang when all the trappings of Christmas had been taken from them? Remember how much this infuriated the Grinch?

“Hold hands and sing, my friends. Every Goddamn day.

“Then come back to the fight. We’ve got this.”

Dear Friends,

Are you worried about the state of the world and wondering what to do about it? I hope you’ll continue to check out The Optimistic Activist.

Every now and then I post some ideas for doing something. How to get out the vote, spread the word, and support progressive candidates. Ideas for simple but effective activism. As easy, as practical, as do-able as I can make them.

Together, I think, we can really make a difference.

“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future.”

--Noam Chomsky