Every day, I think about how I can push back against President Trump and the authoritarian movement that supports him.
We only get to vote for federal office a few times during each election cycle. But every single day, we cast another vote with our wallets. Every purchase is a decision about whether to strengthen local businesses or further concentrate wealth and power in the hands of the superwealthy.
Whenever practical, I choose to support small businesses instead. Just this week, that meant eating at locally owned restaurants, shopping at independent grocery stores, using a private driver, banking at a local financial institution and avoiding credit cards for small purchases.
Until I have reason to believe otherwise, I assume that individuals and corporations with extreme wealth are more likely to pursue their own interests than the public good. Therefore, whenever I have a reasonable alternative, I choose not to support them financially.
In the video above, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich explains how excessive CEO compensation has become normalized. That is another reason I avoid national chains whenever I can, since their CEOs have exorbitant pay. More money flowing to CEOs and senior executives means less for employees, higher prices for consumers and greater economic inequality. I do not believe that is healthy for our economy or our society.
I also believe the Republican Party has been the principal political force behind policies that have widened the gap between the wealthy and everyone else. Too often, Republican elected officials govern as though only the superwealthy are their constituents, regardless of the rhetoric they use during campaigns.
My goal is not simply to complain about what is happening. My goal is to make the world a little better through my own actions. Talking is easy. Living by our principles, even in small, everyday ways, is what truly matters.
One of my favorite sayings comes from Pirkei Avot: “You are not required to finish the task, but neither are you free to ignore it.”
None of us can solve our nation’s problems alone. But every one of us can do something. Every purchase, every vote and every act of civic engagement helps shape the kind of society we leave behind.
So I have one simple question:
What are you doing?
My political blog focuses on what you can or should do to make the world a better place and yourself a better person. I have another blog on Cancer and Medicine.
I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about the blog’s content, but I cannot have a long conversation. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.
The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.
What you can do today:
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Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.
I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.
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