Is there anything we can do to save our nation? The answer is Yes! There is a lot we can do. On Saturday, March 1st, 2025, Indivisible invited Democrats to an informative meeting in Downers Grove to hear Former U.S. Rep. Marie Newman outline some steps we can take to counteract the dismantling of the U.S. government and democracy. Her speech was entitled “How to Build a Movement and Political Power.” Over 100 people attended the meeting and asked questions. Newman began by stating that Donald Trump is “not as powerful as he thinks. We are more powerful.” Then she outlined steps that Democrats can take to inform and organize people in our community so we can stop the insanity and bring about change.First of all, we need to put ourselves in the shoes of others and have sympathy for the pain they are feeling, no matter how they voted. Begin by asking how they are doing. Are prices going down, or is it harder for people to buy what they need every week to take care of their families?
1. First of all, we need to put ourselves in the shoes of others and have sympathy for the pain they are feeling, no matter how they voted. Begin by asking how they are doing. Are prices going down, or is it harder for people to buy what they need every week to take care of their families?
Share your story. Tell what is happening in your life or in the life of a family member or friend who has been affected by the job cuts; tariffs; changes in Medicaid, Meals on Wheels, special education programs, veterans’ benefits, and school lunch programs for hungry children. Ask about their biggest worry, and share your biggest worry. Maybe you have a relative in a nursing home who is on Medicaid, and you wonder if the relative will be able to stay there. Are students going to be able to get student loans for higher education since the Department of Education is being disabled?
2. Do not recite data, and do not call Trump out or express anger about people who voted for him. Admit there is some waste and fraud in the government as there is in every business. However, we don’t need to tear down everything to eliminate a small amount of waste. Choose one battle. Talk about how the changes are affecting your family.
3. Communicate with members of Congress who represent your district and with leaders in Congress who make decisions that affect everyone. Include both Democrat and Republican leaders, and call all Republicans in your state and express displeasure about what is happening. If you have to leave a message with an office assistant, ask them to play back your message. When possible, make an appointment and show up at your senator’s and representative’s offices. Tell them what they are doing wrong and what they need to do to get elected again. Ask them to be courageous. Do not talk about policy. Talk about steps they need to take. Let them know that they need to schedule news conferences to let the public know what is occurring. For the names of people who represent your district, go to congress.gov.
4. If democracy is unraveling and no options are left, consider civil disobedience, which is the “intentional refusal to obey a law due to moral or political conventions.” It is painful to have a general strike and shut down everything, but we should be courageous when we are doing the right thing. And we need to work together and agree on the civil action that we will take so we can be effective. As Stephanie Powell Watts reminds us in her book with this title: “No one is coming to save us.” We have to save ourselves.