There’s no single correct answer, and as with most issues there are a lot more than two sides. You already implied a third one here - fleeing without being a coward. Question: assuming you aren’t right now a low-paid doctor in a free clinic providing healthcare to people who can’t afford it… do you feel evil for that? Is there any reason to beat yourself up for not doing that? Truth is we aren’t all suited to actively and effectively fight the system, any more than we’re all suited to be doctors or lawyers or athletes. You’re allowed to make life decisions that suit your abilities and personal aspirations without crucifying yourself for not being a saint.

The US is a massive place. Yes the federal govt can suck but state and local governments are where you see the real day to day effects like roads, local businesses, utilities and parks.

Sit in on a meeting (a lot of stuff is streamed thanks to covid). Get to know the people in office in your area and what they stand for. If you want make your voice heard however you choose and give them some perspective on how an upcoming decision effects you. You can vote wisely and build a community with them from the bottom up.

You can have a surprising level of influence just by reminding people that voters exist and care enough to give input now and then.

Whether you decide to fight or flee, I won’t judge you. Do what makes sense for you and your loved ones. This is a difficult decision. Don’t let Lemmy guilt trip you over it.

I have a family and kids that need me. I’ll support the resistance where I can, but I can’t fight on the front lines. I’m lucky I’m not a target of this administration yet, but if we go out and protest, we may become targets.

In recent years, my family has been getting our passports together and fulfilling requirements to get jobs in another country. If things get violent in my hometown, we can flee across the border. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my family safe.

If I was alone and no one depended on me, I’d disappear into the resistance. Somewhere, there’s a cache of vintage World War II weapons that would love to fight Nazis again. But, I’m honestly not the gun nut type.

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This depends on a lot of factors. If you’re part of a targeted demographic due to race, gender, religion, etc., then it might be safer to flee before you draw attention to yourself.

If you’re not a targeted demographic, then it might be best to stick around and stand up for your fellow citizens. But this could also lump you in with the targeted demographic and might eventually lead to your own persecution, so it’s a risky choice.

Either way, I still advocate for standing up to any oppression or persecution going on in your home country. No one should ever lose their home to dictators and/or fascists.

This is actually how a lot of states get divided politically. People see a place as a “red state” or a “blue state” and decide to either avoid them or move away if their political ideology doesn’t line up. But that just further entrenches the area into a political leaning. By sticking around and advocating for human rights and better community and respect, you can help prevent the splitting of communities and stop divisive concepts like fascism from forming.

Personally, I think either option is valid. Not everyone is cut out for the fight, and especially if you have children, it makes sense for a parent to do what is best. I wouldn’t blame anyone one bit for leaving. I honestly haven’t created an exit plan this far, so I might just end up staying and fighting.

In good news: there’s going to be lots of fed jobs available in 3 years.

America will bring down the entire western world. There is no option but to fight.

The answer depends on the responsibilities you have.

I would flee if I could. Its not like the current stuff came and it was like hey im going to start fighting. We have been trying to change course and despite this its been going in the wrong direction. I mean will fight to the last but if my back was not against a wall I would be gone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6tSqGCfoCI (I think some people are using this video in bad faith but the main message still stands)

I don’t think there’s any easy answer here.

If you stay, are you able and willing to fight and to what degree under which circumstances? What do you have to offer? Will you be more of a liability than an asset? How do you weigh your personal safety and wellbeing or those of your family and friends against the country or world? What do your prospects look like in whatever country you choose to flee to?

I have two multi-racial disabled family members I care for. Even if I could leave the country, they couldn’t - very few nations allow the disabled to immigrate.

I’m here till the fight is done.

Whether to flee or fight isn’t a very useful distinction, I think. It’s a false dichotomy.

Fighting someone or fighting for something in a way that risks your life just isn’t a very smart way to fight. Obviously run when your life is at stake. When you’re safe, fight.

Don’t run away unless it makes you stronger because of it. Once something has been gained, never yield it without a purpose or a strategy - even if that ends up being a bad decision it was at least yours to make.

It is a difficult endeavor to gain new ground; it is nigh impossible to fully recover that which has been lost.

After you have ceded all your land and yielded every advantage, where will you seek shelter and from what will you find strength?