Power isn’t stopped by outrage or noise — it’s shifted by those who understand how the system really works: the networks, resources, and institutions that enforce rules or bend them. Headlines and viral moments rarely change outcomes; durable change comes from strategic, focused action within the levers of power. Your risk of jail for resisting is minimal compared with the cost of inaction. Pick one practical action you can do consistently — call your representative, show up at a local meeting, share verified information, or donate time or money to a cause you firmly support — and stick with it. Strategy, persistence, and clarity are how power gets held accountable.
Fantastic, practical, and forward-thinking piece, Jack — keep the spirit alive and stay ahead of the game.
Jane...thank you. Simple...and practical; that's how we do it. And, remember...it's people like YOU...who help spread the message...who are making the real difference. Together, WE...are powerful!
I love the pillar graphic and metaphor. It's clear. Pick one. Show up locally. Be the base that holds up the roof. Together, we can hold the line on democracy and weather the turbulence ahead. Jack, I respect your input on refining our action plan, each of us in our own way.
You nailed the point of the pillar metaphor: democracy doesn’t hold because of speeches at the top...it holds because people SHOW UP locally...and bear weight together.
That’s how turbulence gets survived...instead of feared.
The things you so effectively explain in your many postings (Ethics, Logic, Persuasive Speech, Government, Political Science, etc.) used to be required teaching in public schools. They haven't been emphasized in 50 years and some haven't even been available in many schools for the last 20 years. Here we are.
Gary Nelson...you’re putting your finger on a root cause.
A self-governing society only works when a broad share of people have the basic civic equipment: how to reason...how to spot fallacies...how a bill becomes law...what due process actually means...why checks and balances exist...how propaganda works...how to argue without being manipulated.
When schools stop treating that as core infrastructure...and we replace it with “pass the test” plus a thin civics unit if you’re lucky...you don’t get neutral effects. You get a country that’s easier to divide...easier to con...easier to intimidate.
Proper education means everything and not giving good info and not making it accurate is the big problem. As you say teaching to the test has been the biggest problem for 50 years at least. They have not been teaching critical thinking which is another problem.
I said it yesterday and I’m still focused on Intimidation today... especially where the midterms and then the 2028 elections are concerned. Make them too afraid to go to their polling places. Many are already afraid to leave their homes. Obviously distraction and pretext play into it as well but this keeps coming to the forefront with me..
I cannot imagine facing "today" without the example of well-educated/involved parents, my MA history and govt, local mayoral campaign experience and community pol outreach, became my precinct clerk. Lots of nit picky stuff, yes changes w/ tech but postcards from committed voters are so encouraging to some. I support Beto that way even though no longer living in Texas.
Power isn’t stopped by outrage or noise — it’s shifted by those who understand how the system really works: the networks, resources, and institutions that enforce rules or bend them. Headlines and viral moments rarely change outcomes; durable change comes from strategic, focused action within the levers of power. Your risk of jail for resisting is minimal compared with the cost of inaction. Pick one practical action you can do consistently — call your representative, show up at a local meeting, share verified information, or donate time or money to a cause you firmly support — and stick with it. Strategy, persistence, and clarity are how power gets held accountable.
Fantastic, practical, and forward-thinking piece, Jack — keep the spirit alive and stay ahead of the game.
Jane...thank you. Simple...and practical; that's how we do it. And, remember...it's people like YOU...who help spread the message...who are making the real difference. Together, WE...are powerful!
-Jack
I love the pillar graphic and metaphor. It's clear. Pick one. Show up locally. Be the base that holds up the roof. Together, we can hold the line on democracy and weather the turbulence ahead. Jack, I respect your input on refining our action plan, each of us in our own way.
That means a lot, Coco...thank you.
You nailed the point of the pillar metaphor: democracy doesn’t hold because of speeches at the top...it holds because people SHOW UP locally...and bear weight together.
That’s how turbulence gets survived...instead of feared.
You’re doing EXACTLY what matters. Hold fast.
-Jack
Intimidation.
Thanks for showing up, CLF!
-Jack
The things you so effectively explain in your many postings (Ethics, Logic, Persuasive Speech, Government, Political Science, etc.) used to be required teaching in public schools. They haven't been emphasized in 50 years and some haven't even been available in many schools for the last 20 years. Here we are.
Gary Nelson...you’re putting your finger on a root cause.
A self-governing society only works when a broad share of people have the basic civic equipment: how to reason...how to spot fallacies...how a bill becomes law...what due process actually means...why checks and balances exist...how propaganda works...how to argue without being manipulated.
When schools stop treating that as core infrastructure...and we replace it with “pass the test” plus a thin civics unit if you’re lucky...you don’t get neutral effects. You get a country that’s easier to divide...easier to con...easier to intimidate.
And yes...here we are.
Thank you, Gary...for being here!
-Jack
Proper education means everything and not giving good info and not making it accurate is the big problem. As you say teaching to the test has been the biggest problem for 50 years at least. They have not been teaching critical thinking which is another problem.
I said it yesterday and I’m still focused on Intimidation today... especially where the midterms and then the 2028 elections are concerned. Make them too afraid to go to their polling places. Many are already afraid to leave their homes. Obviously distraction and pretext play into it as well but this keeps coming to the forefront with me..
Continuing to read.. will restack and share..
Thank you!
#HOLDFAST
~Susan
I cannot imagine facing "today" without the example of well-educated/involved parents, my MA history and govt, local mayoral campaign experience and community pol outreach, became my precinct clerk. Lots of nit picky stuff, yes changes w/ tech but postcards from committed voters are so encouraging to some. I support Beto that way even though no longer living in Texas.
Intimidation.