“The big question is can we continue a pro-competition populist movement?” Venus says. “Can populism really infect and take over both parties? Because both parties have been very corporate for so long.
Populism may translate into consumer-focused measures in the new Trump era, but this is not certain. Vance has talked about in detail About their support for greater competition in the technology market, as well as about the policy that would aim break up big companies Like Google. Trump has also signaled his opposition to some Big Tech companies – often harassed him personally-But his last term generally made life easier for corporations and the wealthy with tax cuts and favorable legislation. The administration may be willing to help advance policies that address right to repair efforts. (Although we will see how the newly created Department of Government Efficiency Under the leadership of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, it has been decided to give priority to government spending.)
“Are we going to enable an era of increased competition that will make America more resilient on many levels, or is Trump going to go along with his billionaire friends?” Venus says. “We don't know about Trump.”
Of course, America is not the only battlefield for regeneration movements. The EU will also legislate on product design and repair requirements that will apply to devices sold elsewhere. Nathan Proctor, senior director of the Campaign for the Right to Repair, a nonprofit interest group PIRGsays the best strategy is a diverse strategy that involves repairmen from all over the place.
“I'm probably not going to put a lot of eggs in the federal basket,” Proctor says. Instead, he says PIRG focuses on repair efforts at a more local or state level. “There are many other great state and local lawmakers, other people who really care about the right to repair. And there are plenty of opportunities to move forward. “I’m not counting anything.”
Ultimately, both Viens and Proctor say they will continue their fight, no matter what political turmoil surrounds the White House and Congress. And drawing on a variety of political views will certainly help. For example, Proctor cites efforts by PIRG Work with experienced groups Advocating greater maintainability in the armed forces. Because it turns out that even active duty military and medical equipment isn't immune to being disrupted by software locks and service updates that the user can't fix themselves.
“We just have to go to work,” Proctor says. “I don't want to make predictions, like, 'Oh, everything's fine.' Because I don't have that information. But I know that no matter what, there are things we can do to speak truth to power and protect our communities and move things forward. Are.