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On Outrage Fatigue


Every morning, we wake up to a fresh Trumpian outrage, as the orange one's fat little thumbs have tapped out the latest vitriol via Twitter before we lift our weary heads off of the keyboards we fell asleep on because we were up past midnight planning how to block his Cabinet, or save ACA, or get to Burr and Tillis, or, respond to Russian hacking. Is it any wonder that some of us are experiencing outrage fatigue?

As the Day of His Ascendence (formerly known as Inauguration Day) approaches, the more the sense of impending doom and inevitability grows. After the election, outrage and disbelief propelled many into passionate, but ultimately quixotic pursuits. Flipping the electors. The Jill Stein recount. As those prospects faded away, and the names and hideous bios of Trump's Cabinet appointees came out, many geared up to protest and block that odious pack of cronies, capitalists, and cranks from running the country. Lists of committees were drawn up, scripts written, action plans mobilized. The GOP then ganged up on ACA, as Trump fanned the flames. No, no, protest that! many online cried. Russian allegations exploded; Trump kept tweeting. Crooked media! Overrated Streep! All-talk John Lewis!

And what about the environment? Jeff Sessions? The head of Exxon is going to be at the head of world diplomacy? What, is the planet a series of gas stations? Clueless Ben Carson is leading what? Ivan where? 

If you are confused and frankly tired and feel like pulling on your Snuggie and crawling into bed for the next four years, I wouldn't blame you. But that's not what I'm going to do. If you want, as John Dickerson of "Face the Nation" put, to "keep your eyes on the ball," decide first what it is that motivates you, and act accordingly. You don't have to comment on every post or make Senate calls every day to make a difference. (But go ahead and make those calls!)

Make a list of the two or three things that keep you up at night, that have you worrying for the future and safety of your loved ones. What can you do today that might address these issues? Call that Senator, write that letter to the editor.

But also consider joining an already formed advocacy group. Give money to the ACLU. Find a neighbor or colleague who can run for office. Find out who your precinct chair is. Go to a city council meeting. After the 2008 elections, the Democrats held the White House and all of Congress. However, the Tea Party didn't ask permission to have a say in politics, and we all saw what happened in 2010. Let's make the most of this opportunity to fight back! As blood-thirsty as the Republicans are now to shove their hateful slate of so-called reforms down our throats while gutting every agency that protects us from corporate greed, they are also a divided party. Remember that it was just a few short months ago that Ryan refused to campaign with Trump, and that McConnell wouldn't even say his name!

Don't worry about whether or not you should be calling about ACA or Rex Tillerson, or whether Richard Burr will actually change his mind. Call, speak out, and write about the issues you care about. Put positive comments on posts of others with whom you agree. And show up and show out when there is an obvious call to action.

And know that there are others out there who are NOT GOING TO QUIT THIS FIGHT. You will not be judged for the magnitude of your input. There is strength in numbers. A thousand people doing a little bit every day is better than a few doing everything all of the time. The connection and solidarity built will be an unshakable foundation against whatever may come. And when we get through it all, we will have built something that no one can take away from us: community.


   

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