Women's March and what it means

So the day after Donald Trump was sworn in, multiple protests appeared around the United States and even in other countries in a Women's March, and the numbers were impressive, no matter how frustrating that might be to the Administration.

I always have and always will celebrate any expression of the Freedom to Peaceably Assemble, and this was a massive event. It was a broad-ranging protest with a wide spectrum of people and perspectives being represented. There were many things to celebrate, and other things that were encouraging to see. There are also some issues. I'd like to take a moment to talk about a few points.

To begin with, again, I was very happy to see so many people take to the streets and raise their voice and make themselves heard. And there are a number issues that were raised that I agree with. There were others that I may not be totally on board with, and even some things I am diametrically opposed to. But this is how an educated citizenry works. It is how a Representative Democracy works. It was fantastic.

I was disappointed, on the other hand, to see the response from the Administration. You are going to quibble with the media about the size of the protests when it is clear to anyone paying attention that the protests dwarfed the inauguration event yesterday? Even Ari Fleischer found this preposterous. Especially after all of Trump's talk of the people in his speech yesterday. This is a very clear example of his interpretation of "the people" is clearly not all Americans, but rather people like him and people who like him.

As to the massive numbers from today, it raises a question - what does this mean? What do all these people in the streets mean for the Administration and for the United States? 

Bottom line - it could mean everything, or it could mean nothing. The difference lies in what is done next. Because, to quote our favorite General Leia, "It isn't over yet." Far from it. In fact, now the real work begins. And I have some thoughts about what that work entails, so at the risk of mansplaining, here goes.

First, watch everything. I think this goes without saying and the vast majority of people who took the time to protest today will do this. But not all, and there were obviously a lot of others who didn't actively protest who also need to watch. Vigilance is so desperately needed at this time.

Second, don't sit idly by if you see something wrong. This is a clear case of Benjamin Franklin's famous line of hanging together. Yes, its that serious. What encourages me is seeing numerous examples of people doing this already, and I very much believe in the goodness of Americans in general that I feel like this will also happen organically in a lot of ways and in most places. But it is always good to verbalize the need and to remind ourselves of its importance.

Third, contact your representatives. Find whatever works best for you, whether that is email, by phone or physical letters. It is probably worth investigating what is most effective for your individual representatives, although as I understand it, generally phone calls are taken more seriously than letters, and letters more seriously than emails. But every representative is different. Ask and hopefully their staff will tell you. I must say I was incredibly encouraged by the House ethics kerfuffle a few weeks back where the House of Representatives were planning on limiting certain ethics watchdog efforts and it was shot down almost immediately because of calls from constituents. It works. Do it.

Fourth, find other ways to be active. This includes signing petitions, helping political parties (whichever you are a part of - just please, do not do so blindly.) Today I signed the first two White House petitions regarding the President's tax returns and his business efforts.

Fifth, and this is probably the most important even though it doesn't seem as directly connected, but get involved at a local level. One of the major worries about the Trump campaign is the subtext of individual rights and safety, so get to know your local representatives and let them know you care enough to make sure you know who they are and that they are doing their job. Follow your local police chief on Twitter, write your mayor, call your state representatives. In the process, educate yourself about what is going on and what can be done to address the issues your community faces. Sure, we will have differences of opinion about what the issues are and what solutions would work best, but that is where compromise happens to figure out the right solution. THAT is how a Representative Democracy works. Engagement, dialogue. Do it.

However you do it, do something. Do something more than what you did before November of 2016. Do not leave it up to chance. Remember Martin Luther King Jr.'s line about evil only succeeding when good people do nothing? Don't do nothing. Do something.

Matthew Dowd made a comment on Twitter the other day about how the Watergate scandal pushed him to be more engaged, and now we have one of the most professional, reasoned voices in media today because of it. Certainly, we need more analysis who really look at details rather than people kicking up dust for ratings... The opportunity we have now is similar - use this energy to be more involved. Be inspired by true American Patriots like Barbara Jordan. Do not take any president, any government official for granted. Hold them all accountable.

Again, I applaud those who marched today. For those who weren't already, I hope their experience inspires them to stay engaged - yes, even those who have political opinions I disagree with. Why? Because that is how a Representative Government works - a political Marketplace of Ideas, pushing and pulling and responding to what works and what doesn't. I think the Republicans have done a terrible job holding up their end of that bargain for years - decades? - and truly hope that the Democrats do not follow suit. And how does that happen? Only if an Educated Citizenry stays engaged and let's their voices be heard.

As for my list of issues, of which I think some those who marched today would agree with:

• Ensure that all government officials know that we expect the Constitution to be upheld and enforced, especially the rights enumerated in the Constitution itself and key Amendments such as the First, Fourth, Fifth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth.
• The President must disclose his potential conflicts of interests and resolve them.
• Investigate the Russia-Trump Campaign issue - America deserves to know one way or the other.
• Handle the Health Care issue in a prudent, professional manner - come up with a solution that actually addresses the real issues that industry faces rather than just cutting and running.
• Engage in dialogue with all citizens, whether there is agreement or disagreement on the issue in question. This, frankly, has been too absent from political discourse (over 20 years?)
• Take the issues relating to protecting police departments and all unarmed citizens seriously - get above the rhetoric of either side in the issue and realize that systemic issues can be addressed through dialogue(*).
• The United States must regain her strength and confidence in foreign policy, and not through kowtowing to Russia or China.
• The United States must address the economic issues facing the country, but absolutely not through a policy of protectionist drivel such as we have seen from Trump to date.
• The United States must find a way to address the legitimate concerns of its citizens about border security, but (a) without giving in to the illegitimate fearmongering crap about how "all Muslims are evil", and (b) without compromising our tradition of being a place where the weak can find shelter. Frankly, I can't think of a better way for the terrorists to win than to fundamentally change that America is an open, welcoming society...
• On all issues, find a way to re-learn how to compromise and work out solutions that we best for most Americans. And here is the catch, folks - its on us. We are the ones who have to demand that what is best for America is as important as our own individual needs.
• Long term, I believe very strongly that the issue of gerrymandering needs to be addressed. This is such a huge discussion that now is probably not the time for it, but the extreme gerrymandering in different areas of the country has fed into the extremes of both parties and completely undermined moderate positions.

(*) How can I say this with such certainty? Take a closer look at the efforts of former Dallas Police Chief David Brown to bring what was a troubled police department and make it more responsive to its citizens, but in ways that empowered the police force at the same time. The fact that they suffered one of the worst attacked on a police force last year was terribly ironic, and frankly, I was surprised to see how little came of that.