Ok, so we waited to see how it would go. Ten days later, we have our answer. We, as a nation, have Stage One Fascism Cancer. I don't think a policy of hoping it will turn out well is realistic anymore. This isn't the same as Ronald Reagan or George W, or even Richard Nixon. It's a whole new category of troubles. It's time to start metaphorical chemotherapy. It's time to starve the disease out, before the cold civil war becomes a hot one, or worse, the dystopia of our nightmares becomes a permanent reality.
Republican voters had a choice of 17 candidates last primary season. Sixteen of those ranged from decent thoughtful Americans to hold-your-noise stinky. Only one, though, threatened the sanctity and integrity of our republic, and they chose that one. They have to pay for that decision. Pain must be felt for the atrocity they have inflicted upon us, the atrocity known as Trump. If the economy grows, if jobs are created during the next four years, the potentially fatal infection that this man engenders will be seen as a "winner," and we will be looking at four more. By that time, I can all but guarantee it will be too late. It's time to tighten our belts and take a hard look at where we are spending our money, and how that is fueling those who support this juggernaut of lies and hatred that is undermining the very soul of our nation.
It's time to boycott America. It's time for everyone to boycott America, everywhere. We need everyone's help to get us through this dark and troubling time. America runs on money. Those now in power care only about money. It's time to take away the money. It's literally the only way they will pay attention to us. Facts are a joke. Science is a conspiracy. Rights are for straight white males only. Our voices of protest are just annoying bugs in their ears. Only money works.
Disconnect yourself and your family as much as possible from the cesspool that is generating this plague. You already know what to do in your heart of hearts, it was just easy to get lazy in the Obama years (I certainly did). Mainstream American products, fast food, gas guzzlers, when the system is evil the products that support the system are evil. Cook at home, go on bike rides or walks with friends for entertainment, shop at the food co-op and the farmer's markets, buy local, you know it all (remember Occupy?!), but it's time to double-down. Try to tone down or eliminate frivolous spending. Pay down credit card debts that are keeping you on an endless treadmill and that make big banks gazillions of dollars. If this scrimping leaves you with a little bit of extra money, give it to people who help protect the vulnerable who are under attack right now, like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club, etc.
Avoid contributing to the economies of areas that fueled Trump's rise. Don't visit or go on vacation there. Money creates jobs. Let me repeat: only money works. They do not care about your voting rights, the sanctity of your bodies, your freedom of expression or religion. They only care about money. We can be effective. Economics works on the margins: 2% growth is seen as good while 2% contraction is seen as awful. That's only four percent. I live in North Carolina, and the economic boycott against our discriminatory bathroom law helped replace our Replublican governor with a Democratic one. Every little bit helps. The last thing we want is for those who voted for Trump to be rewarded for their collective assault upon us.
Chemotherapy is likened to beating a dog to get rid of the fleas. It's an extreme measure, and I do not recommend it lightly, for the pain is causes is broad and intense. But sometimes it's the only way forward to a cure.
Stephen Hren's latest is a dystopian comedy titled Max's Hungry Ghost. He can be reached at stephenhren@gmail.com.