“I’d like to see you be more outspoken about Trump’s hate-filled efforts to ‘otherise’ groups in American society – women, African-Americans, Latinx, Native Americans, LBGTQI, etc.. Why aren’t you taking a stand?”

-- greenskittlesgirl

Meaghan:

Hi, greenskittlesgirl, I regret that you think we have not been sufficiently clear, but a quick tour around our website would indicate we’ve expressed our INTENTION TO OVERTHROW THE PRESIDENT!

Now, it’s true that we think Trump must be removed from power for a whole host of reasons, not just his clear intent to sow tribalism, hatred, and discrimination. But his divisiveness is vital motivation for us. In terms of lasting damage to the U.S.A., it is one of the two worst things he is doing (the other is undermining the rule of law). 

You’ll sometimes read pundits asking whether Trump is really a racist/misogynist/homophobe/etc. or whether he is just being cynical, knowing that haters are a significant percentage of his base. We don’t care which it is – he must be forced from power either way.  

The question is how we respond to his hateful demagoguery, like his July 14 tweet telling four female Members of Congress to go back where they came from (a pretty loud dog whistle since the four he targeted have Latin American, African, and Middle Eastern ancestry). 

My personal belief is that there are limits to the political utility of outrage. Trump wants a vituperative reaction, which strengthens his base while creating an excuse for some Trump voters (those who are nevertheless not Trump Cult members) to tune out what they see as “anger from both sides.”

A better anti-Trump electoral strategy imho would be to respond by pointing out that Trump’s  divisiveness is an afront to America’s founders, contrary to core American values, and weakening our nation. We should also stress the contributions and patriotism of Americans of every kind. Where he seeks to divide, we need to unite.

P.S. Regarding candy preferences, I would vote for Tropical Skittles, any color. 

“I keep waiting for more content on your website, but it is slooooooowwwww in coming. For example, you advertise papers on the rule of law, procedural democracy, a dispersed national capital, and other things, but there is nothing there.”

-- infantsorrow

Meaghan:

Ugh. You are literally (and by literally, I of course mean metaphorically 😊) killing me.

Our site is three months old, and we’ve already given you a revolutionary manifesto, sixteen Constitutional amendment proposals, a couple other policy papers, a few posters, twenty-five blog posts, and Zeb has tweeted more than 150 times. 

It took the Founders at least a decade (from mid-1760s to mid-1770s) to arrive at a common understanding of the threat they faced and what they must do. It took another half-decade to win the Revolutionary War and another decade after that to arrive at a sustainable governance model.

We’re moving as fast as we can, consistent with human frailties and a desire for consensus (i.e. interminable editorial meetings). 

Now, admittedly, we have the internet and computer technology that the Founders didn’t. Then again, we also have the distraction of funny animal videos on Youtube, so I think that evens things up.

“We don’t need a revolution. You should instead be supporting whatever Democratic candidate faces Trump in the 2020 election.”

-- AnyoneButDonaldTrump(ButNotIvankaEither)

Meaghan:

We believe revolutionaries can do several things at the same time: identify systemic weaknesses in our democracy, mobilize support for comprehensive reform, and act as responsible citizens in the meantime.

Donald Trump is not the only thing wrong with America, but he presents the greatest current threat to our freedoms. While 21CAR will refrain from taking a position on individual candidates (in the Democratic primaries, for example, or regarding possible Republican challengers to Trump), do not doubt our commitment to Trump’s removal.

At the moment, the Democrats seem disorganized and unfocused. Trump will have all the traditional advantages of incumbency, as well as a more disciplined propaganda arm (in FoxNews) and hostile-government supported social media manipulation (and whatever rigging/vote suppression they can get away with). Trump will not be encumbered by norms, so he will use the apparatus of government to create all sorts of mayhem and confusion.

Trump is not particularly competent, smart, or industrious, but he has a sly understanding of how to manipulate people that is much greater than that of any of his likely opponents. Therefore, despite Trump’s relative unpopularity at this high point of the business cycle, he seems to me more likely than not to be reelected. 

We hope that doesn’t happen. We will oppose him electorally to the maximum extent we can. But whether Trump is reelected or not, America needs political reform that is more than evolutionary in extent. That’s a role for 21CAR.  

“Seems like your group doesn’t have a consistent political philosophy, so how do you make decisions (and are there issues you just can’t agree on)?”

--name withheld by request

Meaghan:

We argue. A lot. Then we argue more. 

The process of drafting Constitutional amendments is like that old saying about a duck in a river – serene on top but paddling furiously underneath. We try very hard to come to solutions that are non-partisan and non-ideological, even though each of us is politically tenacious. 

In a recent blog post, Kevin talked about what it is like negotiating, as a political Libertarian, with other Rabble members who favor a stronger role for government. His post captured some of the tension but also our willingness to overcome disagreements with technocratic compromises.

There are some issues on which we will never achieve unanimity, but those tend to be values or specific policy issues, not structural reform. 

“Several of you have mentioned the Web Mistress, but her bio is not up on your site. Providing information on women in STEM fields can encourage girls to pursue STEM careers. You should do it.”

--“PatPride”

Meaghan:

For security and other reasons, several Rabble members remain anonymous, at least for the moment. I can say that the Web Mistress is a pretty impressive chick (PhD student studying bio-mechanical engineering). I hope at some point you’ll learn more about her awesomeness. 

“You don’t seem much like a revolution. You don’t do anything other than write stuff that no one reads. I’d be more impressed if you at least organized a protest.”

--"antiantiantifa”

Meaghan:

Our first priority is to explain the causes and goals of our revolution. As Glick wrote in a blog post, “A revolution without a political mandate is an aimless mob.”

We follow the example set by America’s Founders. By the time of the Stamp Act (and emergence of “Sons of Liberty” groups) in 1765, there was already a vigorous political debate throughout the colonies. 

We at 21CAR don’t intend to “break things to see what happens.” When we decide the time is right for our kinetic phase, it will be because everyone understands our political aims (even if we still surprise them with our tactics). 

“I want to support you, but I’m worried it is risky, since ‘revolution’ is in your name.”

--"NanceefromArizona”

Meaghan:

Imagine what my mother thinks. 😊 

OK. Not as serious of an answer as you deserve. 

I understand why people carefully consider their internet affiliations. Two arguments in favor:

• We are engaged in the same process that America’s Founders described as a self-evident right and duty. We have not broken the law, and we’ve made clear our intention to avoid violence (in a policy paper, here). 

• This is the most serious crisis in American democracy since the Civil War. To survive it, we all must work together to protect our institutions and freedoms. People often moan on twitter, “But what can I do?” This is something you can do.

P.S. You can start by signing up for our blog (here) and following Zeb on twitter (@ZebulonWebber). If you’re uncomfortable with our views, back off. No harm done. 

“U are bunch of FUCKING LIBTARD snowflakes. Get real jobs.”

-- “Butthurt_Surfer”

Meaghan: 

Since our group includes various flavors of political conservatism and libertarianism, not sure “libtard” is appropriate. Feel free to use “bi-partisan-tard,” though, if you’d like.

I’m more interested in finding out why we make you so afraid. Could it be that you worry that when a bunch of snowflakes get together and act in unison, they become an avalanche? Worth pondering.

“It’s unrealistic to think we’ll even get a single Constitutional amendment passed all the way through. That’s a waste of time. (Although I don’t disagree with your proposals so far.)”

-- “RayIsGoneUpcountry”

Meaghan:

It was unrealistic America’s Founders could achieve independence from the world’s most powerful empire, unite thirteen diverse colonies, and design a democratic system that would last hundreds of years. 

There can be no systemic reform of American democracy without Constitutional amendments. One of our tasks is to demonstrate that. We will save democracy, in part by fixing flaws in the Constitution, or we won’t. That simple.

Also, we do not believe the beltway spin machine that claims reform amendments are near impossible and multiple reform amendments are absolutely impossible. It’s not true. It can’t be true. It won’t be true. 

So, cheer up, RayIsGoneUpcountry, 21CAR is here to help.