Remember why you started: [thread]

I joined the resistance to make a difference, and I know you did, too.

Along the way there have been many distractions.

But with the election happening right now and through November 3rd I want to write a little bit about our motivations.

1/

Remember that dreadful day, Tuesday, November 8th, 2016? I'm sure we'll never forget it. Etched in to our collective memories like a trauma we can't shake. It woke so many from their slumber, wondering just how did this incompetent monster gain the highest office of the US? 2/

The so-called deplorables were not only a contentious and outspoken element, but they were far larger and more determined than many had thought. A foaming at the mouth mob of poorly educated, emotional and impulsive regressive extremists who often embraced prejudice & hatred. 3/

The deplorables were vastly outnumbered by a more nebulous element of the voting eligible. The non-participants.

Over one hundred million declined to vote in 2016. Which seems extraordinary, and by any reasonable measure it is, except similar numbers hadn't voted previously.

4/

The 2016 election also suffered from insecure voting systems, the same that our government has consistently refused to address under the watch of McConnell and Trump. Largely because having these systems be insecure serves the GOP as it allows them to maliciously electioneer. 5/

During the primaries and the run up to the election the media did American politics no favors by giving Trump unfairly flattering coverage and in excess.

In fact Trump became a media darling because he drew viewers and that boosted ad revenue.

That skewed media coverage.

6/

The election itself wasn't decided by the popular vote, which Hillary Clinton most assuredly won, but instead by the Electoral Collage, which swung by a difference of 77,744 votes in Pennsylvania.

Votes cast in voting machines that were suspect.

Where many didn't even vote.

7/

From that fateful election in 2016 we've contended with the oppressive rule of Emperor Covidicus, the tyrannical treason zombie that has been corrupting and destroying our country for fun and profit since January 20th, 2017.

8/

All the stops were pulled out after Trump took office and had a republican led legislature.

Tax cuts, subsidies, bailouts, and wholesale deregulation for supranational corporations and the rich.

Packing the courts with over 200 unqualified RW jurists.

Nothing for families. 9/

Under Trump we've been robbed, humiliated, assaulted, and had our rights and our futures taken from us under this bloodstained regime ruled by white supremacist terrorists.

We've seen racism, sexism, homophobia and Islamophobia roar in to becoming mainstream again.

10/

Remember why you started your journey to resist.

What inspired you.

Why you're fighting for a better tomorrow.

How you can bring about that change.

Then focus on it as we need everyone to be at their best.

The voting ends after November 3rd, but the election may go on. 11/

Do whatever you can to help inspire others to vote:

-Support candidates.

-Volunteer.

-Write postcards.

-Participate in virtual events.

-Do text/phone banking.

-Talk to friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues.

-Work at the polls.

-Help w/ride shares to/from polls.

12/

Then after the election, we need to all stay involved.

Trump is probably going to try to declare victory before the results are counted.

We'll need to push back on that narrative and keep the pressure on officials to finish counting ballots. We cannot have a repeat of 2000. 13/

After the election, which I do expect we will ultimately win, we need to keep pushing.

The real work to repair our country starts under the new administration and Congress.

We need to focus on undoing the damage Trump and his enablers have done and moving America forward. 14/14