Democracy Out Loud #422.1:Who are we?

Are we a country of cruel bullies, or a compassionate people?

A lot of us have believed for a long time that Trump is a Russian asset, and we all know he is a bully who delights in cruelty. Now, these things are undeniably clear to the whole country and the world. Trump and Vance’s ambush of President Zelensky in the Oval Office for the sake of Russian TV was shocking, and it woke some people up.

If you are worried about Ukraine, you know what to do. Make sure you know who represents you in Congress, and call them as often as possible; 5 calls will help you know what to say.

There are other ways for private citizens to support Ukraine. Robert Reich and Timothy Snyder suggest United 24 (the Ukrainian state platform for donations, including many important projects); RAZOM (an American NGO, tax-deductible for U.S. citizens, that cooperates with Ukrainian NGOs to support civilians); Documenting Ukraine (tax-deductible for Americans); and Come Back Alive (a Ukrainian NGO that supports soldiers on the battlefield and veterans).

There were at least 50 protests at Tesla dealerships yesterday alone. There will be another protest at the Tesla dealership in Raleigh at 4 pm Thursday March 6. You can sign up at this link. In preparation, there will be a sign-making party on Saturday March 1 at 7 pm in Durham; sign up at this link.

The Budget Resolution passed by the House this week begins a long process of reconciliation with the Senate; it will result in a budget which could disastrous short- and long-term consequences for everyone in America except the extremely wealthy. The bottom line is that the only way to extend Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy, which expire in April, is to raise the debt ceiling AND cut Medicaid and other lifesaving benefits for low-income people.

Some of us met on Saturday to brainstorm our response. Stay tuned for news about an empty chair Town Hall with Senator Tillis and other activities around the state targeting particular US Representatives. In the meantime it is important to talk to people about extremist GOP plans and to call both Senators and Representatives. Tell them NOT to renew Trump’s tax cuts for the rich and NOT to cut essential services like Medicaid and SNAP. (5 calls can help.)

Don’t miss Jessica Craven’s Chop Wood, Carry Water today. It is full of actual good news. Protests continue all over the country, including the one in Sugarbush, VT where JD Vance tried unsuccessfully to go on a ski vacation but was greeted by thousands of protesters.

Gann reminded us that one of the most important things we can do is to keep posting “What Can I do To Stop This Coup?” from Choose Democracy. She’s right. It is rich with succinct, important information and inspiration.

This Wednesday, March 5 at 10:30 am, Bishop William Barber will convene an action at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church which will end at the Supreme Court. You can view the livestream at this link. Bishop Barber is calling us to “stand in prayer, lament, and moral resistance to call the nation to repentance from the sins of injustice, apathy, corruption, and oppression. Our nation must turn away from lies, extremism, and unchecked power and commit to the work of righteousness, truth, justice, and love.”

There are a lot of acts of resistance planned for this week, including one at Senator Tillis’s office in Greensboro on Thursday March 6 from 11 am to 1 pm. You can get more information and sign up at this link.

The 50501 movement plans protests all over the country this week, notably in Raleigh on Tuesday March 4 at noon, and at that same time at the Town Hall in Chapel Hill.

Please call legislators about the SAVE Act, which will be up for a vote soon in both the House and the Senate. If passed it will disenfranchise millions of voters, especially women who changed their name when they married.

You can follow all court cases challenging Trump’s illegal actions at this link which is part of a the very useful Just Security website.

By some estimates, thousand protesters showed up in Iowa to try to stop an anti-trans bill which removed civil rights protections from transpeople. The bill is truly terrible, but it sure was beautiful to see all those protesters. Gives me a lot of hope.

Everyone is invited to our weekly zoom call from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Tuesdays. Doors open at 10:45 am; if you are new come early so we can welcome you. If you don’t have the zoom link, email Jewel at DemocracyOutLoud@gmail.com. This week our MC will be Eloise Harris.

Everyone is also invited to our weekly guided meditation at 10 am every Thursday. If you need the link, email Jewel as above.

I realize things are moving fast but I truly believe that most of us want to be a country of compassion, not cruelty. And how could the current escalation of extreme income inequality and greed possibly be sustainable for human beings or the planet? Every protest, phone call, letter to the editor, meeting, or conversation with friends and strangers matters. Every little bit truly does help as we continue to push for democracy and human rights. Please take very good care of yourself. You are needed in this work.

love, Karen

“What will stop Trump? everyone is asking all day long. Maybe an actual and effective form of resistance will involve more than the thwarting of a leader. It will be a cultural project up and down American life. To resist the meanness and smallness and cruelty and cynicism and solipsism. To insist, by showing, that what he is is not who we are.” - Anand Giridharas, The Ink, March 2, 2025