Michael Moore recently released his 10-Point Plan to Stop Trump. Since it has already been shared over 20,000 times on social media, I feel compelled to respond.

1). Moore writes as if all these problems began the moment Trump was inaugurated. By saying we simply need to “stop Trump” – we focus on one person as opposed to the larger structures of racism, heteropatriarchy, and capitalism. Trump is just the most visible and visceral representative of an oppressive system. Even if Trump has a “much-shortened presidential term,” we are still left with an oppressive apparatus.

2). Moore argues that we need to make daily phone calls to legislators because “Democrats need to hear from the boss – you!” I mean, sure, that sounds nice. But this is only true if we pretend that corporate funding, the electoral college, and voter disenfranchisement do not exist.

Let’s be honest: making phone calls is not a solution to the problem, it is an acknowledgment of one. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) voted to approve Mike Pompeo as director of the C.I.A. – a person who supports torture as an interrogation tactic. If we actually need to remind our representatives that torture is awful … then these phone calls are a colossal waste of time, folks. The fact that Democrats need to be pressured about basic human rights proves it is time to stop having faith in the system. Period. Moore’s ideas that we simply need to “take over the Democratic party,” “run for [Democratic] office,” and “let the DNC know that they must elect Keith Ellison” challenge absolutely nothing.

3). Moore says we need to develop our own “personal rapid response teams.” The idea is promising, but his description is incomplete. We need more than groups of people to attend protests and share articles online. We also need to develop/strengthen mutual aid networks so we have alternative connections and resources outside the capitalist State.

4). Moore says we need to “join, join, join” organizations, but goes on to list only those affiliated with the Democratic Party and/or the nonprofit-industrial complex. Unbeknownst to Moore, there are groups to the Left of this entire framework. Consider donating to, joining, or forming organizations along these lines, as well.

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