Don’t obey in advance
“Don’t obey in advance.” It’s something you’ve probably heard already – particularly if you started following the demented news cycle that Donald Trump brings about when he has power. The fact is there’s no limit to the number of times you should hear it and repeat it to yourself and the other people around you – as most power is freely given up.
The fallout on social media over his picks is definitely a time to remind ourselves of this fact. Making fun of them is the best line of defense that we have right now among ourselves – and we’ve clearly seen it get under their skin all summer – worst of all because there isn’t much they can do about it if it spreads.
Already, what we’re mostly seeing is Trump’s usual tactic (or Trump and McConnell’s usual tactic) of bluster about what they’ll do – the most outlandish thing possible. It’s meant for us to think that he’ll do it without thinking of how he can just pull it off and fold immediately.
The problem for him today is that we’ve already seen some pushback happen in embarrassing real time that’s likely to only get worse. Now’s the time to flood your local senator’s office with emails and phone calls about the Matt Gaetz and Tulsi Gabbard nominations – whether the senator in question is a Democrat or not – and let’s do everything we can to drive down Trump’s approval rating.
James Sullivan is the assistant editor of Brain World Magazine and an advocate of science-based policy making