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lees1975

(6,901 posts)
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 11:36 AM Mar 2025

Why aren't Americans out in the streets over what Trump is doing?

I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine, European, over what Trump is doing. He noted that Americans seem to be flatly apathetic for two reasons, one, that the bulk of those opposed to a second Trump Presidency were not registered to vote and didn't participate, and two, that in his country, such government actions that are so far out of line as to be outside the boundaries of democracy, public pressure would be so intense that the government would back down. And that Americans are just passively clicking their tongues and letting it all go by, especially the Democrats, who should be orchestrating and conducting protests that, while they don't cross the Jan 6th line, make it hard for members of Congress to move from home to work without having to face opposition.

We live in a free country, and if politicians are unable to respect that to the point where what they do makes people mad enough to want to confront them about it, then they should deal with the consequences, including protests in front of their house keeping them and their neighbors up all night, and having to face shouting, angry people on their way to and from the capitol. It doesn't have to get violent, they just have to see that it might cost them an election and they are going to have to face opposition on it.

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flamingdem

(40,793 posts)
3. It took the body bags for Americans to mobilize en masse during Vietnam
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 11:38 AM
Mar 2025

I guess Americans have a high pain threshold.

April 5th there's a mass mobilization set for Washington DC plus major cities.

Easy to find on line.

flamingdem

(40,793 posts)
6. Indivisible is great. Also the new one https://www.fiftyfifty.one/
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 11:42 AM
Mar 2025

5051 is planning a march on Washington DC for April 5

Ninga

(8,984 posts)
7. It's a joint effort and Indivisible groups are
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 11:47 AM
Mar 2025

participating. Every state has indivisible groups, log on and enter your zip.
My entire family is going to our local April 5th protest.

WhiskeyGrinder

(26,291 posts)
11. Because every time something like this happens
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 11:51 AM
Mar 2025
including protests in front of their house keeping them and their neighbors up all night, and having to face shouting, angry people on their way to and from the capitol.


there are a LOT of people wringing their hands about how protests is great but not THESE KINDS of protests.

Polybius

(21,511 posts)
14. Because his approval (on average) is still in the mid-40's
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 12:38 PM
Mar 2025

For there to be mass protests, it would have to drop under 30%.

BBbats

(281 posts)
15. Because our cowed media isn't reporting jack squat about it.
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 12:41 PM
Mar 2025

This administration has put the fear of God into our media.
Now they're starting with unmarked vans & throwing people in prisons in other countries.
When Social Security gets shut down they'll send the Military out to mow the civilian population down.
They'll do it with glee.
And I doubt our media will say shit about it.

uponit7771

(93,491 posts)
16. ***BECAUSE WE'RE IN TOWN HALLS IN RECORD NUMBERS*** where our collective voices
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 12:42 PM
Mar 2025

... could make more of a difference

0rganism

(25,472 posts)
17. I don't think the GOP politicians fear "cost them an election" anymore
Sat Mar 22, 2025, 12:44 PM
Mar 2025

The systems and mechanisms of democracy have been thoroughly compromised. We won't be voting our way out of this madness.

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