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Office Hours: What is stopping you from becoming even more active against this loathsome president and his venal regime?

A personal question at this dark moment in the nation’s history

Robert Reich Feb 13 ∙

Friends,

I have another personal question to ask you.

You may remember the last time I asked you a personal question. It was January 21 — three days before Alex Pretti was murdered by federal agents in Minneapolis.

I asked you then what you were prepared to risk in order to stop Trump’s reign of terror.

In the poll accompanying that post, 72 percent of you said you’d risk being arrested and losing your job and enduring physical harm, including the possibility of being shot at and possibly killed, in order to stop Trump and his goons.

The question I’m asking you today is related. It stems from a query I was asked yesterday by a group of non-Americans I met. They wondered why the resistance to Trump inside the United States wasn’t larger and louder. “Don’t Americans know this is a national and international emergency?” they asked. “Why isn’t every American in the streets right now? Why aren’t Americans rising up?”

I put forward several possible explanations, but I’d appreciate it if you could add your own self-reflection, as honestly as possible. Many of you are resisting the Trump reign of terror with courage and tenacity. By anyone’s definition you are an activist.

But what is stopping you from becoming even more active in resisting this loathsome president and his venal regime?

1. I don’t know what else I can do.

I already do a great deal — protesting, writing letters and postcards, phoning my members of Congress, helping protect vulnerable people in my community, boycotting corporations that are enabling this horror. I’m not burned out or depressed or cynical. I continue to look for additional ways to counter this loathsome man and his vile henchmen, but I just don’t know what else I can do.

2. I’m just too busy to do more.

Personally, I’d like to do more but cannot because I’m way too busy trying to do everything I have to do. My job, my kids, my parents, my friends in need, shopping, making necessary repairs on the house and the car and appliances — all of it takes up all or nearly all my time. If and when my life becomes a bit more manageable, I’ll do more to resist.

3. I’m fearful of doing more.

I’m sorry to have to admit this, but I’m reluctant to do more because I don’t want to become more visible. I frankly fear MAGA vigilantes who might wreak retribution on me or my family. Hell, I even fear people in my own family who will turn on me if I become more of an activist against Trump and his vile subordinates. And I don’t want to antagonize neighbors or others in my community who are pro-Trump.

4. I’m cynical that doing more will have any effect.

If I’m being completely honest, I don’t think anything I do will have any effect on this horrible man and his regime. Trump doesn’t care. He and his lackeys will continue their reign of terror. My senators and representatives will do what they want to do regardless of my position. The corporations that are enabling this horror show don’t give a damn what I think. So why bother?

POLL What is stopping me from being even more of an activist against this loathsome president and his venal regime? I don't know what else I can do. I just don't have time to do more. I'm fearful of doing more. I don't think I'll have any effect. Other (in comments)