Tips to Survive 2025

How to fortify yourself, your family, and your community in the face of approaching turbulence

“This Constitution…can only end in despotism…when the People shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.” — Benjamin Franklin, co-editor and signer of the Constitution

INTRODUCTION

Trump’s leadership picks make it clear. He wasn’t kidding. He intends to gut the US government. And he thinks the patient will rise from the gurney when he finishes.

Trump seems not to understand that government, the economy, defense, and civil society are inextricable. Elon Musk may grok it. But he and fellow crony capitalists will happily lobotomize the nation with a dinner knife, as long as they can feed off the remains. Feed off the nations’ assets and natural resources.

Feed off of us, the American consumers.

But we have a heartening example. Benjamin Franklin faced down tyranny from the most powerful nation on Earth 250 years ago. He fought it through his printing press. He fought it as ambassador, convincing France to support the Revolution. Youngest son in a candlemaker’s family of 16 kids, he attended school only one year. Yet this entrepreneur helped overthrow a tyrant to birth a nation. A nation that offered opportunity to more than just sons of privilege and wealth.

What can we do to help save Franklin’s vision for America?

• Make certain the public knows that MAGA is responsible for the trauma to come.

• Extend our trust networks to all generations and interests.

• Use every means at our disposal to keep alive the vision of America as a land of opportunity for all.

• Ensure that the mid-term elections take place in 2026, and that a sadder but wiser electorate votes for enlightened leaders.

The MAGA State takeover will not be smooth. Single-party control exacerbates in-fighting. Trump’s policies will reignite inflation and supply chain shortages. As the year progresses and crony capitalists bite into consumers’ wallets, half-asleep citizens may well awaken with a roar.

As an entrepreneur, a journalist, and a public servant myself, I find Benjamin Franklin’s accomplishments and dedication inspiring. That is why I’ve interspersed his example throughout this series of posts. I hope that he, and at least some of the tips that follow, will help fortify you and your community against the approaching maelstrom.

And let’s not forget. There are forces in play that are far more powerful than a mere tyrant and his minions: a gyrating climate, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering. These will steer the future regardless who runs this tenuous nation during a blink of history.

This first post is for all Americans. The next two will be for specific interest groups.

“We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” — Benjamin Franklin, member of the Freemasons

BUILD TRUST

Trust is a superpower tyrants seek to destroy. That is why we must strengthen networks of friends, family, clubs, and communities. Across generations and interest groups. (Here is an amazing resource for activist organization.)

Like many of the Founders, Benjamin Franklin was a member of the Freemasons. Freemasonry connected him with a global network of intellectuals and leaders that helped secure critical diplomatic alliances during the American Revolution. It also connected American colonists working toward independence.

So meet, eat, and laugh together as you grow your network. Find ways to communicate quickly and easily. If possible, privately. The effort will feel joyful. If the worst comes, it will prove essential.

PROTECT FINANCES

·      Make major purchases this year, before tariffs and inflation kick in, especially purchases of imports or products with many imported parts. This includes construction materials, but not existing real estate. (Since this was first written, Bessent was chosen as Treasury Secretary; he’ll be a moderate voice to take it easy on tarriffs, but tariffs are outside the Treasury wheelhouse.)

·      Stock nonperishables and supplies before too much disruption begins. Inflation is not the only concern. Tariff wars and climate impacts on agriculture and supply chains could disrupt supplies.

·      Increase your savings or expect to work longer. Social Security age minimums will probably increase by 1-3 years.

·      Watch out for fee increases from banks as consumer protections are removed and regulators replaced with de-regulators.

“The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one. If it satisfies one want, it doubles and trebles that want another way.” — Benjamin Franklin, author Poor Richard’s Almanac

·      Beware of increased scams, especially in cryptocurrency. Crypto regulation will be significantly reduced. Don't invest in crypto unless you really understand it deeply. Remember that when a market is at its height is the worst time to buy any investment.

·      Don’t just delete scam emails and texts. Press “spam” or “delete and block” to help AI identify them.

·      In general, "buyer beware" is the new watchword. Food and drug administration oversight will be lessened. Yet more exclusions will show up in insurance policies. Blockchain contracts that directly exchange funds between buyer and seller will become more common. Once agreed to, the buyer will have little recourse, unlike a credit card charge.

FIRM UP HEALTHCARE

·      The good news is that technology and AI research have joined forces for huge progress in understanding infection, disease, and even disabilities. The MAGA state will reduce regulations. This could speed up access to some treatments, though they may not be as well tested.

·      Everyone should firm up healthcare coverage. As the MAGA State eases regulations, insurance companies will likely remove coverage for pre-existing conditions.

·      Make sure you are connected to a physician you trust. A trusted physician can help you make the best choices as healthcare becomes more difficult to access. Cuts in Medicaid expansion will mean more uncompensated care by hospitals. Even more nonprofit hospitals and county retirement homes will be taken over by commercial for-profits. This will raise prices. It often reduces services and quality of care.

·      The Republican promise to keep Medicare could prove to be a bait-and-switch. If Mehmet Oz is confirmed to run Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, seniors may be forced to convert to private Medicare Advantage for-profit plans. These plans have jacked up prices and supposedly denied 10% of claims. Currently, the plans are optional. Most seniors are better off keeping existing public Medicare as long as possible.

·      Become even more skeptical of healthcare memes. If RFK Jr becomes Secretary of Health and Human Services, FDA findings may be ignored or distorted. RFK Jr has been known to promote raw milk, hydroxychloroquine, and other dangerous treatments.

CONTINUE CLIMATE EFFORTS

·      ASAP, take advantage of any state supports for cutting fuel demand or EV purchases. In New Hampshire, NH Saves provides subsidies for home insulation, windows, and HVAC upgrades. Utilities and fossil fuel providers in many states will likely end alternative energy and demand-cutting subsidies next year.

·      Check your home insurance coverage. Expect storms, fires, droughts, floods and sea level rise to continue to increase. The MAGA State will repay the fossil fuel industry billionaire libertarians with subsidies and deregulation that will continue to speed up climate change. FEMA resources will likely be cut and almost certainly overburdened.

·      Become as energy independent as you can. If you have solar already, add battery backup. And an electric vehicle. As emergencies increase, this will protect you from outages and fuel shortages that could be long term. Stash some cash in case card machines are down. Plan how both you and your community will deal with long-term power outage or shortages of fuel, water, or other essentials. Then enjoy your day and hope it never happens.

·      You may still be able to improve climate mitigation at state or local levels. Some Biden climate projects will likely continue for corporations in Trump’s good graces. Meanwhile, we can all increase sustainable practices personally. Here is an upbeat look at options.

PROTECT AIR, WATER, PARKS & PUBLIC LANDS

·      Visit national treasures sooner rather than later. Expect public lands to be open to commercial interests for mining, drilling, forestry, and for-profit recreational enterprises.

·      Watch for actions that affect public lands, buildings and resources, both federal and state. Expect pollution regulation to loosen, even for clean air and water. Choose your battles wisely; fight to protect what we can. Especially against changes that are irreversible.

Benjamin Franklin helped build civil society in many ways. For instance, he brought Philadelphians together to found the Union Fire Company and an early form of fire insurance.

SUPPORT CIVIL SOCIETY

No organization of the size and complexity of the US government has ever been dismantled before. Expect social instability as a storm of uncertainty arises. Immigration roundups will cause fear and encourage hate crimes. Crony capitalism will replace quality controls, resulting in more Boeing-esque disasters. Despite tariffs, US factories will take years to rebuild and retrain. Federal layoffs and job loss from automation will send unemployment soaring. Unintended disruptions and shortages, created by dismantling long-established governance structures, could devolve into chaos.

But we can stave off the worst:

·      Help maintain a normal schedule of community events. Support concerts, theatre, trivia nights, school sports, and any other events that strengthen community. Do not permit partisan individuals or groups to dominate these festivities.

·      Run for local, district, or state office. Or volunteer on a town board. You’ll learn, refine your trust network and help uphold civil society in the process.

·      Towns, churches, and other nonprofits should prepare for higher need for food and shelter assistance, with less government help. Expect SNAP, TANF, and other benefits to low and middle income families to decrease.

·      Support public education, whether you have children in public school or not. It is a crucial foundation for a nation of opportunity. (I’m investigating what Public-Education 2.0 might look like in a world with omniscient AI. Stay tuned.)

BATTLE FOR INDEPENDENT MEDIA

Trump has threatened to shut down organizations whose reporting he doesn’t like. He might use the FCC. More likely he will use financial pressures, favors, or threats. But he’ll also likely go after individual reporters, even bloggers, celebrities, and influencers.

·      Urge your senators to pass H.R. 4250 the PRESS Act, already passed by the House. The bill protects from disclosure any information identifying a source, as well as any records, contents of a communication, documents, or information obtained or created by journalists in the course of their work.

·      Clearly and repeatedly report what the MAGA administration is doing and how it is impacting the public. Do not allow blaming the previous administration for what is clearly the fault of the new one.

·      Don’t let biased and false information go unreported. You can help train the algorithms in social media and AI like Chat GPT or Gemini. If an AI answers questions with misinformation, click “thumbs down.” Its human trainers review the specific feedback you type in the comments, especially if you indicate that the chatbot’s answer is “dangerous.” Likewise, downvote and provide text feedback on any deepfake videos you see.

·      Call out perpetrators of purposeful misinformation, but do not reinforce it. Repeating or sharing misinformation posts increases their traction and believability.

·      Fund independent news, such as the pro-democracy group Courier Newsroom. They fund statewide news, in eleven states so far. Most of them, such as New Hampshire’s Granite Post, are in “purple” states.

Up Next— Tips to Survive 2025 for

ENEMIES OF THE MAGA STATE:

Women, Minorities, Students, Educators and Independent Media