A spot of hope: CT Tenants Union has succeeded in getting Just Cause bill heard by Housing committee this week!! Current tenants and displaced tenants, have organized, trained and lead informative and impactful actions at state capital to move this critical issue forward (within the system, blue state, acknowledged) but still real progress that may lead to protective laws!
Cynicism and hopelessness are pointless. We should understand that there are many ways Trump can be opposed - in the courts, via public opinion, state government opposition, internally by government employees or military who may refuse to obey Trump’s illegal orders, and by Congress if Trump goes too far even for Republicans. There are likely others which I have forgotten. Basically, Trump likely does not have sufficient power to wield dictatorial powers. So, there is reason to hope that the damage he does will be limited, and that he will be gone in 4 years.
And it doesn’t make sense to tie our emotional well-being to events which we can’t control. Better to do what we can and remain optimistic.
Putting Democrats back in power won’t change the direction or the goal of capitalism. It may slow it down but Republican and Democrat goals are the same - support for the wealthy, concentration of wealth and power. I think Joshua is encouraging a new movement that will introduce real and permanent change.
Longtime reader and big fan of your work! Thank you for all you do.
Note: in the email version it incorrectly says Lincoln Heights is in Columbus, but substack has it revised to Cincy. Not sure if there's a way to revise the email version but wanted to let you know.
Nonetheless, thank you for the hope you continue to instill in the progressive movement!
This is a powerful call to action—hope isn’t passive; it’s something we build through movement, through organizing, through refusing to sit idle. Doom may be the easier road, but it leads nowhere. The ruling class never stops pushing, so neither can we. Solidarity isn’t just a word—it’s a practice. Let’s get to work.
Let’s all cooperate to bring down the capitalists on Feb 28. Don’t work unless you must, and don’t buy anything! I’m participating. It’s a small step, but it’s a step.
I love this so much! I’m making a digital zine called “girls against brainrot” on how effective resistance will simply not occur as long as we are continuing to use our phones/social media the way we are right now. i will be providing a link to this article in it.
Yes, yes, yes. Action is the remedy for despair, and breeds hope. — care to add community wealth to this list? There had been a vast movement towards wellbeing economies that gets virtually no news coverage.
The Colorado drivers cooperative launched last year as part of a network of federated community owned Rideshares and if all the drivers and the drivers unions knew, we could have uber/lyft replaced within a year (there is a class on how to form one in your own city)
And that’s just one sector to take over — it’s also happening in virtually every other. See antidote live and my transformative change resource list for more
“When Nazis drove into the Cincinnati, Ohio suburb of Lincoln Heights, I’m not sure many observers saw it as an “opportunity” exactly. But local residents took action. Many members of the Black community took up arms and drove the Nazis out of town quickly. The flag of the invaders was seized and burned. “
Good for the brave Community members who confronted Nazis demonstrating in their town. The link you provided however, does not report local residents took up arms to drive Nazis out of town nor could I find anything online saying community members were armed. Please provide a cite.
Your writing is a welcome discovery.
Appreciate that deeply Greg!
A spot of hope: CT Tenants Union has succeeded in getting Just Cause bill heard by Housing committee this week!! Current tenants and displaced tenants, have organized, trained and lead informative and impactful actions at state capital to move this critical issue forward (within the system, blue state, acknowledged) but still real progress that may lead to protective laws!
Love to hear that, thank you!!
Great read, thanks
Cynicism and hopelessness are pointless. We should understand that there are many ways Trump can be opposed - in the courts, via public opinion, state government opposition, internally by government employees or military who may refuse to obey Trump’s illegal orders, and by Congress if Trump goes too far even for Republicans. There are likely others which I have forgotten. Basically, Trump likely does not have sufficient power to wield dictatorial powers. So, there is reason to hope that the damage he does will be limited, and that he will be gone in 4 years.
And it doesn’t make sense to tie our emotional well-being to events which we can’t control. Better to do what we can and remain optimistic.
There is also the possibility of retaking the House and Senate in 2026.
Putting Democrats back in power won’t change the direction or the goal of capitalism. It may slow it down but Republican and Democrat goals are the same - support for the wealthy, concentration of wealth and power. I think Joshua is encouraging a new movement that will introduce real and permanent change.
Your writing never ceases to light a fire in me. thank you!! Just a note - the link to workerorganizing.org leads to shutdowndc.
Updated, and appreciated!
Thank you for this! Much needed and appreciated!!
just a note that it was in Cincinnati, Ohio, not columbus! (Proud cincy person here)
Oh gosh thank you, revised!
Longtime reader and big fan of your work! Thank you for all you do.
Note: in the email version it incorrectly says Lincoln Heights is in Columbus, but substack has it revised to Cincy. Not sure if there's a way to revise the email version but wanted to let you know.
Nonetheless, thank you for the hope you continue to instill in the progressive movement!
Phenomenal, Joshua. I am trying to repost. It's such a practical, inspiring follow-up to my post about straw and fascism. Thank you!
Thanks for this powerful and crucial message, Joshua!
This is a powerful call to action—hope isn’t passive; it’s something we build through movement, through organizing, through refusing to sit idle. Doom may be the easier road, but it leads nowhere. The ruling class never stops pushing, so neither can we. Solidarity isn’t just a word—it’s a practice. Let’s get to work.
Let’s all cooperate to bring down the capitalists on Feb 28. Don’t work unless you must, and don’t buy anything! I’m participating. It’s a small step, but it’s a step.
I know it isn’t but…I do need to know what we’re dealing with, here. But this is a great reminder that we need to get offline and do shit.
I love this so much! I’m making a digital zine called “girls against brainrot” on how effective resistance will simply not occur as long as we are continuing to use our phones/social media the way we are right now. i will be providing a link to this article in it.
Yes, yes, yes. Action is the remedy for despair, and breeds hope. — care to add community wealth to this list? There had been a vast movement towards wellbeing economies that gets virtually no news coverage.
The Colorado drivers cooperative launched last year as part of a network of federated community owned Rideshares and if all the drivers and the drivers unions knew, we could have uber/lyft replaced within a year (there is a class on how to form one in your own city)
And that’s just one sector to take over — it’s also happening in virtually every other. See antidote live and my transformative change resource list for more
“When Nazis drove into the Cincinnati, Ohio suburb of Lincoln Heights, I’m not sure many observers saw it as an “opportunity” exactly. But local residents took action. Many members of the Black community took up arms and drove the Nazis out of town quickly. The flag of the invaders was seized and burned. “
Good for the brave Community members who confronted Nazis demonstrating in their town. The link you provided however, does not report local residents took up arms to drive Nazis out of town nor could I find anything online saying community members were armed. Please provide a cite.