20 February 2018: Remove Trump

Remove Trump

“The biggest threat to the integrity of our democracy today is in the Oval Office” according to New York Times columnist Thomas L . Friedman (18Feb2018). What should we do about it? We can and should read and talk about it, but I suggest we also take steps, even if they seem small, intended to remove Trump from office.

Dropping one grain of sand may seem pointless - it appears to have no effect on the underlying pile. But this is not actually true. Over time, as more grains are dropped, occasional small avalanches will appear. If enough grains are dropped, the sandpile will collapse (Bak, How Nature Works). Each grain of sand changes the internal structure of the sandpile, and although we do not know which grain will cause it to topple, we know that some of them will have an impact. This is why it is important for each of us to do something, as often as we can.

When you get upset, consider doing one of the activities below, and let me know if you have other ideas.
 

Direct activities to remove Trump from office

1. Don't patronize Trump companies.  Trump is using the Presidency to make money for himself and his family. To protest, we should ignore his businesses. This means don't buy their products or do business with them, don't even go into the businesses, and if you work for them, try looking for other employment.

2. Write / call / email Trump and ask him to resign.

3. Write / call / email your Senators and Members of Congress and ask them to take steps to remove Trump from office.

4. Participate in public protests or other activities that put pressure on Trump to resign or on others to take steps to remove him from office.

5. All activities should be nonviolent and legal. Violent or illegal activities may make you feel better short term, but are counterproductive to strengthening democratic values.

 
Indirect activities to remove Trump from office

These activities are directed at Trump's enablers.

1. Don't watch Fox News or be associated with them in any way. If you work there, look for other employment.

2. Shun organizations that support Trump on important issues, such as the GOP and the NRA.

3. Shun Trump’s enablers, including his cabinet and their businesses (such as Amway and other DeVos businesses).

4. Move your money from large banks to credit unions.

5. Support businesses such as Trader Joes and Costco that pay their workers a living wage.

6. Support small businesses rather than big businesses, unless you know the big businesses are paying their workers a living wage and are paying their fair share of taxes, or unless you have no alternative.

7. Work on important issues that Trump is ignoring, such as climate change, Russian interference with elections, reducing gun deaths, reducing wealth inequality, health care, immigration and promoting the general welfare of all Americans.

I have started a Trump log to keep track of what I am doing. How about you?