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The Kennedy School of Govt authors Marks & Chenoweth published a white paper in October 2022 chock full of strategic ideas for us. Who will, and who do you think could and should orchestrate and lead the Democrats’ messaging strategy for 2024? We need a more cohesive and simple unified messaging strategy, new playbook. To find a downloadable PDF of the paper on Harvard.edu, please see the link below the title. David what do you think? Readers what do you think?

“Pro-democracy Organizing against Autocracy in the United States: A Strategic Assessment & Recommendations” Faculty Research Working Paper Series, Erica Chenoweth Harvard Kennedy School, Zoe Marks Harvard Kennedy School October 2022 RWP22-017

https://www.hks.harvard.edu/publications/pro-democracy-organizing-against-autocracy-united-states-strategic-assessment

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Thank you for this! Regarding congressional level: Democrats' messaging should be all things democracy, but not just in words. Its imperative that the law be upheld even when involving elected officials, or the very wealthy. Return to ethics & enforce them. The law enforcement apparatus, the entire thing, needs combing over, there are traitors in the ranks and they are not few.

Regarding state level: we dont have enough democrats to ever actually do anything the ppl want to see done. Are you on twitter at all? If so, pls see his page. There are video's, but also threads to read. WE NEED PEOPLE TO RUN FOR OFFICES! All offices from the bottom all the way up. Mr. Pepper also started a fund that's very well thought out. The $ helps candidates. The ones that need more help than others get it. Theres also threads on that.

In either situation protesting is warranted. IMHO it could have been happening for several years now, but better now than never, or when things get to be too much, or at a point of no return...which we are at now but not many seeming to really grasp that. That's ok, the more ppl learn about what govt is up to the more they will start to see it. But we are not united as a people currently and counter-protesting has become a thing that happens sometimes. I've given this a good deal of thought, and I think the best way to protest is to borrow different techniques from the past such as study just a bit some civil rights era protests that involved those ppl that went down south on the freedom bus. They would practice with one another: one person played the role of protester, the other agitator. The goal is to learn first hand how to remain peaceful even when ppl may be in your face, screaming slurs, whatever it is. That's invaluable. Also this link is more for I think a general strike, which IMHO is not the most effective bc we are not United. From what I've read about regarding those in other countries, a sizable majority is needed, or works best, for a strike. Basically to have the ability to "shut it down". But there is very useful information at the link. Things like sitting down as a group, things to do, and not do. Every country is different so it requires tweaking a bit to work for each perspective country, but variations of these methods were used in the color revolutions, the Arab spring etc. They have at times successfully brought dictatorships down, but I dont think we should try to oust the sitting govt, that's why I say there are useful tactics and tips there. A short list of demands is necessary, but should be uniform state/country wide, and they should be things that correct anti-democratic legislation, behavior of elected officials. So not so much gun control, or student loan debt, but things exactly like what David is talking about: we elected a dem majority school board so we want the school board to have the authority to make decisions they've always had. We dont want it going to the governor bc THEY are not satisfied with democratic leadership in any positions of authority, or offices held. That's anti-democratic for sure. We have voted twice, across party lines, to end partisan gerrymandering, and that's what we expect! It only looks like an issue here, or there: the school board, gerrymandering, when observed as individual issues only. But this is far bigger than just the OH Statehouse. The GOP is absolutely doing everything they can to control every aspect of govt, all the way up to the W.H.

I am old, not elderly yet, but am disabled. I am not of much physical help so I always feel strange sharing things like this stuff, but I have done my share of protests in the past. Also it's important to remember that not everyone can protest, or run for office. But ppl should do their best to absolutely ask everyone what they CAN do. For example old ppl are great for posting facts on s.m. while protests are happening. Some can donate money, no amount is too small. Some can receive donations. The $ should be used for things like bottled water, pizza to be brought to protest sites. Others asking for donations for candidates (now is better than waiting until next elections),should IMHO donate the money to David's fund bc it's just such a better plan than some having more than what's needed while others cant even get their names out there bc they have so little. David would be a better judge, but I think both of these things could happen simultaneously. If it can only be one, then maybe finding ppl willing to run for every office possible. None too small. School boards, city council, all the way up. So that will not be everyone, those not running can support candidates, volunteer to help w/run their campaigns, when its election time make calls for them, INCLUDE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS!!! Set up a booth at campuses & pass out info , buttons anything available to get your candidates name & policy stances out there as much as possible. I could go on, lol, but I'll stop now. Oh, 1 more: it's easier to get $10 from 10 people than it is to get $100 from 1 person. Remember that. If anyone looks at this info, there is also a few things on youtube that elaborates some. Reminder: it's only for helpful info, protest tactics etc. We are NOT looking to overthrow our govt!! We just want democratic processes to be done how they are supposed to be. Protesting: wouldnt be pushing an agenda. Stick with demands that are pro-democracy. Red or blue is not the goal (it is currently but only bc the gop have seditious intentions. Hopefully true conservatives will replace them). The goal is for elected officials to make decisions in legal, democratic ways as they have for a couple of hundred years, until the gop started going off of the rails. Extremism is not successfully fought with extremism.

https://www.aeinstein.org/nonviolentaction/198-methods-of-nonviolent-action/

And thanks again for the link. I look forward to reading it.

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David thanks for sharing this important information. Do you know when this state school board issue will be discussed at the state house? Teachers unions need to show up just as they did when They tried to take down the right to unionize the teachers SB5 was shut down!

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You are absolutely right. Now let's figure out what to do about it. It's so frustrating.

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So tired of their cheating. They aren't submitting phony ballots, but they screw with everything, every rule, every law, every committee, agency, you name it. THIS is why no one should think the slow rolling coup is over bc election deniers lost in key states. What about the rest of the states where they won? This behavior, and things like using language in a bill saying something can NEVER be is not the language of people who intend to lose power!

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This was not useful. does nothing to bring us together. Old playbook. Need to work on and advocate positive things for our country

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