# Now what should people on the left do? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 6, 2024, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778 "2024-11-06T12:13:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/41 "2024-11-06T13:59:05Z")
This. Here are some ways to do that [10 ways to be prepared and grounded if Trump wins | Waging Nonviolence](https://wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-things-to-do-if-trump-wins/?link_id=0&can_id=e6a345d133dcfc75d3f346088ec0b20a&source=email-now-with-updated-storylines-of-kamala&email_referrer=email_2519036&email_subject=what-to-do-now-that-trump-won) And the ideas there help with this, too. > [@Jas09](#): > > Take care of those you love, participate in making your community a better place, and continue to fight for fairness and justice. Just like we always have. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/42 "2024-11-06T14:03:20Z")
> [@BorealisCooper](#): > > _should I strive to be a happy idiot, making my music, tending my gardens, and loving my family and friends?_ > > We must cultivate our garden It’s the best of all possible worlds. 🤔 Or we can console ourselves with the sage words of Marcus Aurelius: " **Everything that happens, happens as it should, and if you observe carefully, you will find this to be so.**" ---
**Author:** ![BorealisCooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/db5fbb/32.png) [@BorealisCooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorealisCooper)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/43 "2024-11-06T14:06:47Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > But this gets to the issue I have long struggled with - how can someone support this despicable person and his despicable policies, yet be a decent person? Does this pertain to any political opinion or issue ? Do I have to agree with each loved one about Russia & Ukraine ? Do we have to agree on abortion and immigration ? Do we have to agree about student loans and tax exemptions ? People disagree and not only is it reasonable to expect it, but it’s very unreasonable to expect family members will always agree. I think it’s an excellent bet that anybody that would separate themselves from family, due to how they vote, had serious issues already in that family. That said, I don’t have to support the political opinions of each family member. I can simply agree to disagree, and not discuss it. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/44 "2024-11-06T14:08:14Z")
> [@BorealisCooper](#): > > Does this pertain to any political opinion or issue ? “I hate you and want you to suffer and die” isn’t just _any_ political opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/45 "2024-11-06T14:17:56Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > That assumes that it _will_ be over in 2016. Exactly! If this nation can elect that man, it may elect his successor, and his successor, and HIS successor, ad infinitum. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/46 "2024-11-06T14:18:53Z")
The unfortunate truth is Trump supporters are simply too numerous to ignore. Mostj of us have little choice but ti engage them. I don’t know what the left can do at this point, but just laying down and giving up isn’t an option. I think we might have to wait for a collapse before people change their minds. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/47 "2024-11-06T14:19:23Z")
That was helpful. Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/48 "2024-11-06T14:19:37Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Exactly! If this nation can elect that man, it may elect his successor, and his successor, and HIS successor, ad infinitum. Or just stop having elections, or kill everyone who speaks against them. We know how fascists run governments. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/49 "2024-11-06T14:23:05Z")
One of the most amazing things about the still-loyal Trump supporters is – because they have chosen to remain blind to the truth – they have adopted an “Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln – how did you like the play?” attitude. Whatever things they _think_ are/were worse under Biden (many/most of which simply aren’t true), we still have a Constitutional Republic. It stands, despite Trump’s attempts to orchestrate a coup and his unwillingness to peacefully transfer power – one of the cornerstones of our nation’s bedrock principles. So the play was so-so, huh? But Lincoln was assassinated. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/50 "2024-11-06T14:27:08Z")
> [@BorealisCooper](#): > > Does this pertain to any political opinion or issue ? Do I have to agree with each loved one about Russia & Ukraine ? Do we have to agree on abortion and immigration ? Do we have to agree about student loans and tax exemptions ? It’s not about politics, it’s about morals. There’s a litany of policy issues decent people can disagree on. That does not include throwing innocent children in cages, treating women as lesser citizens, assigning brown people a subhuman status, targeting political enemies for death or incarceration, etc. Anyone who thinks voting for this vile, disgusting, hateful, incompetent, lazy grifter—who was found liable for sexual assault, convicted of 34 felonies, incited an insurrection, was impeached twice—is a simple political choice has chosen depravity. It really is that straightforward. This is not a discussion about the proper Fed rates or the level of farm subsidies. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/51 "2024-11-06T14:33:16Z")
> [@BorealisCooper](#): > > If I were to seperate entirely from a family member because of politics, I never actually loved them at all, and that’s sad. A couple of things, it’s not just “politics” it’s fascism. When someone joins a fascist movement they are joining a violent, anti-democratic movement. It’s easy to pretend it’s just politics if one is white and straight, but it’s not just politics. They have chosen an us or them position and demanded that we choose. I choose them, because it is the only moral decision. The fascists wish to overtly harm people who have done nothing wrong. I choose them. And for the mental health of decent people, I advocate cutting fascists out of your life. ---
**Author:** ![BorealisCooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/db5fbb/32.png) [@BorealisCooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorealisCooper)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/52 "2024-11-06T14:39:44Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > It’s not about politics, it’s about morals. I think it’s reasonable (there’s that darned word again) that some people could apply the same to Harris. When somebody in a crowd mentioned Jesus Christ, Harris responded that the person was at the wrong rally. That was an extremely stupid thing to say. That was Donald Trump level of stupid. I think it’s a great bet that she lost a lot of voters with that one simple comment that she could have just ignored, just like I can ignore the poltical opinions of a loved one. The point is that a lot of people would consider Harris to have a lack of morals, judging by that comment. I’m not saying I consider it to be that, but that a lot of voters would consider it to be that, and probably did consider it to be that. I suppose you wouldn’t consider that to be an example of morals, but a lot of people would. So people disagree. It’s mind blowing eh ? ---
**Author:** ![BorealisCooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/db5fbb/32.png) [@BorealisCooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorealisCooper)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/53 "2024-11-06T14:42:13Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > A couple of things, it’s not just “politics” it’s fascism. When someone joins a fascist movement they are joining a violent, anti-democratic movement A lot of people consider Antifa to be a violent and anti-democratic movement. So you probably …errrrr…disagree. Yes, no, maybe ? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/54 "2024-11-06T14:42:41Z")
I hate the idea of “it’s just politics” like you’re saying “it’s just your favorite flavor of ice cream”, like it’s some piece of trivia that shouldn’t affect anything meaningful. Politics is the most powerful force in the world. It decides where the power lies, who is oppressed, and who lives and dies. Now is every political disagreement fatal to a relationship? Of course not. But we’re not talking about arguing over how long maternity leave should be or tax brackets. MAGA is a movement against the humanism of the last 60 years. Women’s liberation, desegregation and equality for racial minorities, recognition and tolerance of non-traditional sexualities and genders – all of that stuff was an incredible amount of progress in a short period of time and these people are afraid the world is changing and because when you’re been privileged then other people achieving equality feels like oppression. There are no reasonable MAGA. It’s a cult. Even the people who may have been reasonable conservatives in 2015 have either bowed out or gone full on in. They do not represent policy. They do not represent good faith efforts to achieve compromise and good governance. They represent only hatred and spite and ignorance and grievances over lost privileges. They enable pure evil. Dishonesty, oppression, harm. There is nothing positive about the MAGA movement. Nothing good that Trump does. No merit for any of his causes. I’m not saying it’s mandatory that you have to kick any of them out of your life, but being dismissive towards people who do is misguided. I’m having trouble just maintaining my sanity being completely surrounded by these forces of ignorance and malice and I would have a hard time being able to keep any of them close. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/55 "2024-11-06T14:44:02Z")
> [@BorealisCooper](#): > > I think it’s reasonable (there’s that darned word again) that some people could apply the same to Harris She’s a Democrat, a woman, a black and married to a Jew; the Right is full of people who think that makes her evil. And nobody who supports Trump is “reasonable”. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/56 "2024-11-06T14:45:01Z")
> [@BorealisCooper](#): > > Does this pertain to any political opinion or issue ? Do I have to agree with each loved one about Russia & Ukraine ? Do we have to agree on abortion and immigration ? Do we have to agree about student loans and tax exemptions ? It’s disingenuous to pretend that these are the only issues we disagree on. If such were the case, the last 8 years would have been very different. Do I have to agree that my transgender nephew should be socially and legally ostracized? Do I have have to agree that my lesbian cousins shouldn’t be allowed to be married or adopt their three kids? Do I have to agree that making up racist rumours about migrants wanting to eat my cat is perfectly normal and acceptable? Do I have to agree that millions of fellow citizens cheering on the president as he locks up his political opponents is okay? Do I have to agree that the president should be allowed to shut down any TV station that disagrees with him, or criticizes him in any way? No, fuck all that shit. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/57 "2024-11-06T14:45:11Z")
That’s absolutely absurd bothsidesism. ---
**Author:** ![BorealisCooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/db5fbb/32.png) [@BorealisCooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorealisCooper)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/58 "2024-11-06T14:45:16Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > She’s a Democrat, a woman, a black and married to a Jew; the Right is full of people who think that makes her evil. You totally ignored the noted example. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/59 "2024-11-06T14:46:26Z")
> [@BorealisCooper](#): > > You totally ignored the noted example. Because it’s irrelevant, people like that would consider her an enemy of Christianity just for being a Democrat, and thus Satanic. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778/60 "2024-11-06T14:47:19Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > I don’t know what the left can do at this point, but just laying down and giving up isn’t an option. I think we might have to wait for a collapse before people change their minds. Ultimately, the best thing anyone can do is try to survive, and prepare to pick up the pieces after the MAGAs are done smashing everything. Just like always. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-what-should-people-on-the-left-do/1009778.md?page=4)