1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I am writing out of concern for the world we are offering my children. In times past I would have acknowledged this situation with a smirk and an understanding that life will continue—in those days I had only myself to hold safe for survival. That is no longer the case. Now, with my wife, I care for our two small children and an elder nearing dementia. We live and work in South Georgia.   Over the past few weeks we have watched in horror as our newly inaugurated president has issued a flurry of orders and memoranda that run the gamut of twisted, cruel, unconstitutional, and overtly illegal while his billionaire “first buddy” weasels his way into the highest echelons of our federal bureaucracy displacing and restricting career officials while commandeering sensitive systems and information. It has been terrible to behold and sadly, I fear our federal government holds no remedy for this current moment—the legislature either has no way (D) or no will (R) to challenge this power grab. And so I turn to you, duly elected officials of the state of Georgia to remind you of your duty to your constituents. This man, these men—would be autocrat and oligarchs—have obvious ill will and it is already having consequences. Plane crashes. Financial uncertainty for millions of Americans. Government employees and contractors being pushed out of work. Tax breaks to the richest Americans and their corporate monopolies. Migrant workers who are being deported en masse despite their labor being an integral part of American industry and agriculture. The loss of consumer buying power due to the tariffs being levied against opponents and allies alike.Threats against the civil liberties of minorities, women, and queer folk. The list grows daily…   While this is happening to all Americans, your job is to protect and offer remedy to the citizens of this state, and I expect you to perform that duty purposefully—I expect you to seek out sympathetic officials in local, state, and federal governments to build coalition power and stand against this onslaught of sadism and skullduggery.   Mr. Trump believes that he is above the law and the oligarchs believe that they have won—otherwise, they would not be so brazen in their assault. They are attempting to crush hope and with it, opposition—you, we, are called to resist. We must not give them victory. We must not kiss the ring. Legislate, litigate, push back, and refuse in any way available. Be vocal in dissent, both in public and private. When they come for us, it will be the price of leadership—I hope that you will join me in this position.   Immediately, at the federal level, I expect strong opposition to any budget reconciliation proposal that includes cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and other social safety net programs. Shut the government down if it comes to it! We shall not cut the lifelines of the most vulnerable in our society so that billionaires and corporations can add digits to their stockpiles of wealth.