I’m feeling so uneasy with everything I’ve been seeing. I keep thinking about what we will be this time next year, and if shit hits the fan, what is your plan? I’m queer and was politically active in 2020, so I would potentially be considered a political enemy.
The only blueprint I can think of is what you do in an active shooter situation; Flee, Hide, Fight.
I know there’s that romantic notion of “don’t be a coward, get out and protest”, but I remember the brutality of the 2020 protests firsthand, and even then I thought “thank god I’m going toe to toe with the CPD and not the CCP”. Next time is going to be different. The president now has authority to send drone strikes. Protests and riots don’t stand a chance agains missiles and live rounds.
Flee- I have an Uncle in Montreal who my family could potentially use as a way to at least temporarily escape the chaos. The hope I’d have is that Canada and other countries would accept American refugees, however that’s not a guarantee.
Hide- If borders are closed, lay low and move away from major cities if possible. If civil war breaks out, try to get away from the violence even if you think your side will win. Todays losers may be tomorrows victors.
Fight- If cellular data/ social media algorithms can keep track of you, and surveillance can make sure there’s no movement, this would be the last resort of desperation. I guess if possible try to either find a group for safety in numbers, or conversely go guerrilla as groups of resistance would make easy targets.
Sorry my mind is running and I’m getting scared.
You guys make this sound like some kind of doomsday movie.
I’m not downplaying how bad things are, but if you really have the several thousand dollars you’d need to actually uproot your entire life just sitting around, good for you. Most people don’t have that kind of free money.
And good luck moving if you have pets, or have family members you care for. Have you guys even been to your “target” countries? Do you have plans for how you’ll make income? How does healthcare work in your target country?
If you have all that figured out, and have nothing to leave behind, then good for you, I really do hope you end up better off. But this panicked response of “What are you waiting for, run!!!” is way more entitled than people seem to think.
What you forgot to mention is that the “target” country has to want you. Even progressive Americans seem to have the belief (american exceptionalism) that they can just “move” to another country if they wake up in November to find the wrong guy won. In reality, you have to apply to immigrate to a country. Your application is gone through with a fine tooth comb. It will be 50 pages of information including blood work, urine tests, xrays, and FBI background checks. You may be granted a visa if you have something the country wants or needs, like a higher qualification or a job offer. But chicken and egg, it will be near impossible to get a job offer without a visa. And if you have a high BMI, medical issues, or an arrest record, you may as well forget about it. Many countries require that you have a 4 figure wad of free cash to get yourself started. If your target country has already met its immigration quota for the year then forget about it. If your target country has thousands of applicants (which most “good” countries do at any time), then your application has to rise above the others e.g., you have a job offer and a phd. Assuming you get through all this, it will take months to well over a year to get through the process. Want to bring your pets? Factor in 5-10k USD each for shipping, veterinary, and quarantine fees.
The bottom line is… stop yammering on about moving to another country if the orange shitstain wins. If you haven’t started the process yet of your own volition then you’ve likely not the tenacity to work that Sisyphean task.
Instead, vote.
It will be 50 pages of information including blood work, urine tests, xrays, and FBI background checks.
Um, no. I’ve done visa and citizenship paperwork, it’s not easy, and you’re right that you need a compelling case for why you should be accepted. But I’ve never heard of requiring that extensive of medical checks for visa applications, especially not for from countries that have developed medical systems. Though some countries do require medical records. You’re right often a background check is required, but in my case at least, an apostilled affidavit where I just promised I was a good boy was accepted.
Perhaps the country you applied to is an outlier. Or maybe as is often the case, you applied a long time ago when things were simpler.
It will be 50 pages of information including blood work, urine tests, xrays, and FBI background checks.
Um, no. I’ve done visa and citizenship paperwork, it’s not easy, and you’re right that you need a compelling case for why you should be accepted. But I’ve never heard of requiring that extensive of medical checks for visa applications, especially not for from countries that have developed medical systems. Though some countries do require medical records. You’re right often a background check is required, but in my case at least, a notorized affidavit where I just promised I was a good boy was accepted.
Free money? People have been running/fleeing, are still running/fleeing, from regimes/ideologies, etc. today. Running for your life is not an entitled act, it’s survival. Running while expecting to just continue your life as is (income, luxuries, etc,) that could be described as entitled.
So the question is - is this a survival moment? The answer might be no, we’re blowing this out of proportion. Or yes, now is the time.
I personally believe that if we had the highest voter turnout in US history, it would absolutely nail Trump. People need to exercise their right to vote, like their life depends on it.
Don’t think you know what is 110% coming if Republicans get the presidency back.
And the even longer list of consequences that would result if these things came to be
Packing the supreme court would be to increase the size of it, not just partisan appointing
Packing and expanding have different meanings colloquially, packing typically means packing with sycophantic loyalists, in our age.
Damn, I guess you’re right. It’s a shame I don’t have the money to move.
I’ll have to abandon my elderly family, put my pets up for adoption, and stow away on a local fishing boat for a few months. I guess it’s the only way.
…but seriously, this is my point. Yes, this is all bad, but what do you want me to do? Being able to just jump ship is a privilege I do not have. If the building is burning, then I’m not getting out in time.
I’m sorry about your situation. But asking this question “what if a fascist dictator comes to power in your country,” is not some veiled attack on you personally. Calling people “entitled” because they’re considering fleeing a fascist takeover of their government… ok. thanks for chiming in.
