3: Filter out wastes of time. We near a cliff & a fall into authoritarian government. We can’t afford to waste time. Wasting is a strategy, but aimed at one’s opponent. [FN18] This was called a “time suck” in college debate. [FN19] Resistance against trump/magaGOP 1/11

must consider many ideas. A plan can contain a sub-part that people like. In the last blog, I referred to an idea Greg Olear had offered. [FN20] The possibility of putting the position of Speaker is legal, quick & nonviolent, necessary qualities to any resolution. 2/11

There’s also Amend XIV, sec 3. It can disqualify people who engage in rebellion, insurrection, or who commit treason. [FN21] It was ratified after, but not limited to, the Civil War, and is a remedy that can disqualify (as an example) Jan 6 insurrectionists from office. 3/11

Things that can waste time. Trolls/bots can be used to interject confusion and discord. Also a “time suck”? A “wedge” issue bisects “people according to strongly-held beliefs or values” & creates a perception that if one side is right, the other must be wrong.” [FN22] 4/11

Abortion was an effective “wedge” issue for the far right after they did a 180 to use it. [FN23]
A “bright line” does exist. It is based on protections in the Constitution as amended & construed over the past 236 years. It includes equal protection, a women’s autonomy over their 5/11

bodies, the right to vote and the right to have that vote counted.
Finally, w/so many people outraged by trump & magaGOP, figuring out whether to work with or contribute to a group is less of a crap shoot than it seemed to be in 2017. One factor: 6/11

Someone who claims a specific remedy is the only remedy probably should be given wide berth.
Several groups are organized nationwide (e.g., 5-0-5-0-1). They have the voices and the resources. NEXT: Lessons from 2017 & what to hold at arm’s length. 7/11

Footnotes:
FN18. This set of blogs is intended to give ideas of how best to proceed to solutions to what the magaGOP and trump have done to damage our country’s government. I’ll number sub-topics and footnotes in continued order, blog-to-blog. 8/11

FN19. I debated in undergrad (DePauw University, 1973-78) and both taught and coached college debate. (IUPUI, 1990-94).
FN20. Greg Olear, PREVAIL on substack, “The #Liz48 Plan: This Is How We Remove Them—Legally, Quickly, and Nonviolently,” 10/21/25. 9/11

FN21. That disqualifies from office from office any who “having previously taken an oath” any who “engaged in insurrection or rebellion ... or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof...” Const. Amend XIV, sec 3. 10/11

FN22. Media Manipulation Casebook.
FN23. Randall Balmer, “The Real Origins of the Religious Right,” Politico, 5/27/14, accessed 12/10/25. 11/11