I have more than a few friends who have been reacting to this election news with a sentiment like "I can't be fully happy, because Biden is just thinly veiled conservatism". When I said "He's better than Trump, we can pressure Democrats like this and make bits of change", they just go "What is there to pressure?" So I thought I'd ask you: What can we do now in the days ahead, to make sure that we make solid progress, even if it's just inch by inch? Who do we call? What do we do? Any ideas?
Absolutely! Find out your senator or congressperson, and CALL THEM whenever important legislation is coming up. Call them and let them know your biggest issues. Call them when Biden and Harris eventually and inevitably could be doing something better, when they inevitably fuck up.
You can also cause a stink yourself. Online or in person. Bring attention to issues. Advocate for change. Magnify the voices of activists.
Depending on how the run-offs go in Georgia, Biden could be entering this term with a DIVIDED legislature. Which means it will be MUCH harder for him and the democrats to make the changes we want to see. That means reaching out to REPUBLICAN representatives could be just as, if not MORE important, than reaching out to democratic representatives. Pressuring the Republicans to compromise will be CRITICAL.
Stay informed. Stay involved. Donate money to important organizations when you can, go to demonstrations when you can, make your voice heard when you can. And always, in every election, vote, vote down ballot, and encourage others to do the same.
Join a union. Join a local organization. Help registers others to vote. Help however you can. Having Biden as president is good, but it doesn’t beat boots on the ground.
Biden got the job. Now the work starts.
