*Editor’s note: “Stop covering politics,” some of our dear readers cry every time we post something relephant. Look: politics are life. Equal rights, empathy, fair economy, healthcare. We can’t ignore what’s happening, and you shouldn’t either. Disagree? We’re happy to share your experience here.
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A scene unfolds in a land where Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services funds, responsibilities, and records are transferred to the Department of Corrections.

Here, individuals with mental illnesses are treated as criminals, and wellness checks turn into mandatory arrests.

Meanwhile, the people of this land celebrate “President Donald J. Trump Day” every 5th of November.

Covenant marriage is introduced, no-fault divorces are outlawed, and divorce can only be granted for infidelity, abuse, or abandonment in a world where these accusations are nearly impossible to prove—a land where the abuser usually wins.

Abortion was banned long ago, but one step further is taken: a woman who undergoes an abortion is now charged with murder.

A miscarriage is now considered manslaughter.

Married biological parents receive tax credits. Biological parents who marry after having children get tax credits, too—but less.

Single parenthood and every other form of family structure are condemned, deemed inappropriate, and given a slap in the face for failing to conform to a “perfect” box—wrapped in Christian Nationalist-approved paper, topped with a bow of delusion.

The Ten Commandments are posted in every classroom. And $6 million in Trump Bibles are purchased and placed in every classroom, as well.

Starting by fifth grade and every year beyond, children are taught the role of the Bible and the “importance of Christianity as pertaining to history”—and only Christianity, with no other religions presented.

Meanwhile, government officials and employees pass a law allowing them to carry guns into municipal buildings—buildings where no one else is allowed to bring firearms, such as courthouses that already have metal detectors keeping them out in the first place…so what is the real reason they feel they need them?

There’s no pending bill to keep guns away from schools full of children because, surely, the protection of the Trump Bibles should be enough.

These are the things many once claimed would never happen.

Yet, every single one of these actions comes from bills that have already been introduced or are actively moving through the Senate in my home state of Oklahoma.

Some of these bills have already passed.

Luckily, the bills on covenant marriage and abortion being classified as murder failed.

However, the Senator behind them assured his Christian Nationalist base that the mere act of having the bills heard for the first time is a “win”—progress, a step in the right direction.

As I write this, I feel like I’m drafting dystopian fiction—like I’m imagining the worst possible scenarios coming to life. It eerily mirrors the approach Margaret Atwood described in writing The Handmaid’s Tale, a novel that now feels far too relevant to ignore.

Now, I’m not suggesting that Oklahoma is the worst possible place politically—perhaps your state is worse. But as chaos continues, we must focus on our local communities instead of freezing in place, overwhelmed by the world at large.

With every presidential executive order, there could be five outrageous bills moving through your state legislature—bills no one is talking about. Much of what I’ve shared above, I found on my own.

Why wouldn’t they want you to know? Because if you knew, you could use your voice—and that’s not fun for them.

So, let’s make it no fun for them.

At the end of the day, most judges are where they are because they understand the law and the consequences of civil unrest.

Now’s the time to flood them. Feeling frozen? Try these steps:

>> Make a cup of tea and get cozy. These bills are introduced in rapid succession on purpose. You’ll have a lot to sift through.

>> Find where to access them. One advantage we have is that these bills must be public at every stage. A great resource for viewing state-specific bills can be found here.

>> Click on the ones that seem innocuous. Many of the most jaw-dropping bills were under names that didn’t sound serious at first.

>> Write your heart out or make the call. If you’re struggling with the words or lack the time, a quick internet search for phone call and email scripts will produce a slew of options for you to follow. Pick one that resonates with you the most.

>> Make sure to keep it clear and concise. Send it to the senator introducing the bill and the representatives in your district. Each one is required to have contact information available. Remember, they work for us.

>> Don’t be afraid to be salty yet respectful and call out the hidden agendas of these bills, reminding your reps that the people aren’t as blind as they might think. Then try to find common ground with them—they may be introducing bills that make you livid, but it’s human nature for us all to be able to soak up information presented in the least abrasive way possible.

>> Once you have a script to follow for letters, use it as a guide to make phone calls and leave voicemails. The most important thing is the flooding of opposition from our communities.

>> Hold them accountable. In my experience, 75 percent of them will get back to you in a timely manner. For the remaining, keep reaching out and letting them know, “I’ve heard from every senator I’ve contacted aside from you. I look forward to continuing this conversation”—and don’t let up.

We might get caught up in the thought, “We shouldn’t have to be doing this work,” but we are our only hope.

It’s easy to think our actions won’t make a difference or are a waste of time. But ask yourself—if things go south, will you regret not trying?

If we band together, fight through this, and better times do come, don’t you want to say you did your part?

I’m not the only one writing letters or calling. I hope hundreds of thousands of us are. But when I wrote from the heart and said what needed to be said, tears fell from my face as the governor who received my letter appeared at a press conference two days later, disheveled and clearly over it—wearing the kind of beard a man grows in distress. He dismissed three of the five board members who’d been approving the rapid introduction of Project 2025 into our schools, declaring that politics had no place in education.

So, write the letter. Make the call. Refuse to feel powerless, because you are not. We succeeded because my one letter was amongst many. 

They want us to feel like they hold all the power, but real change will happen when we realize that the power lies within us. We are all drops of water that, together, form an ocean. 

Cling to the art around you that is planting seeds that are ours to water. Let the horror of what’s happening sink in, but don’t let it paralyze you. Don’t forget—it’s our time to shine. 

Then, propel forward and remember: we were all born with a voice. If you’ve never gotten the chance to use yours, today is the perfect day to start.

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