Well, this is a fine mess we’re in. We have this national climate of mistrust–cutting critical foreign aid, jailing innocent immigrants, cutting taxes for the wealthiest, slashing aid for the poorest, defunding vaccinations, amputating federal staff, sanding away our democratic principles and only about 213 other nail-biting, teeth-grinding, mind-blowing issues. None of these issues, as horrible as they are, are what bothers me the most. What most concerns me is that we become so exasperated or so frozen in fear that we give up. We’re in a marathon, not a sprint. Here are a few ideas on how we can keep going and work for better lives for all of us.
Stay informed and engaged
It’s tempting, but I’m not going to curl up and crawl under my bed covers. And nix your plan to move to your own private island. Instead, read three or more factual news sources regularly and look for actions you can take. When the illegal, the immoral, the anti-democratic, and the corrupt are increasing we need to give more attention, get more information, and become more active.
Read independent news outlets that have no incentive to promote any political party’s agenda. Pick a few of them and subscribe for free. Find one or two that you think highly of and donate or pay to support them. Help keep the American media ecosystem based on facts.
You could start with a news source that’s frequently cited as highly credible and unbiased: The Associated Press (AP).
Just don’t overdose. Spending a few hours a week on the news is a great way to stay informed. Spending most of your day on the news is a great way to get depressed.
Don’t believe liars
If someone lies to you once, there might be a legitimate reason. If the same person lies to you again, seek to understand, remain calm, but raise your caution flag. If that person—no matter how powerful, important, or prominent they are—lies to you again and again, they lose their right to your trust, attention, and good will. Don’t accept what they say. Verify anything from them through a trusted source.
Go toward the fire
Do you, like me, tend to talk only with people you agree with? Instead, we need to go toward the fire by engaging with people we disagree with. That builds better understanding. And why should we be listened to if we don’t listen to other viewpoints? Listen more than you speak. Look for areas of agreement, even if they’re small. With respect, challenge anything you hear that’s not true. Carpet bomb the world with truth.
Call your representatives
Before a new rule or law can go into effect or an existing one can be modified, governmental agencies, from the federal level down to the local level, typically offer public hearings to gather community input. The more people the agency hears from, the bigger impact the people have. Pick up the phone. Write. Email. Tell your Senate and House representatives how you want them to vote. Start by calling U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy at 202-224-4041.
Use your network
You know people. You know family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, club members, and others. You probably also have online groups you belong to (on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc.) Speak out in favor of democracy and against what you believe is illegal, immoral, anti-democratic, or corrupt. Join a community group that shares your concerns and interests. Organize a neighborhood rally. Attend a peaceful protest. Democracy works best when we share information, work for the mutual good, and protect each other’s rights. Start by devoting 20 minutes to learn about: Common Cause or Democracy Forward, or Protect Democracy or another nonpartisan, non-profit organization with beliefs that align with yours.
Keep going
The current national maladies won’t go away overnight. Getting rid of one powerful, dominant person won’t make the sky burst out in double rainbows. This is a long fight with a cast of dubious characters detonating stink bombs, dropping manure piles, and clogging up the system. There will be victories and setbacks. One election or one great candidate won’t resolve things. Be prepared to stay the course. Don’t give up.
Take pause, spread hope, act in love
Give yourself some fun and relief so the fight does not overwhelm you. Even God rested on the seventh day. One way to find relief is to spread good news to help balance the bad. Did you know there’s a new home siding made from rice husks that’s saving thousands of trees and diverting crop waste from landfills? How about the news of the Ohio man whose list of 3,599 books he read is inspiring others to read?
In Jimmy Kimmel’s words: What the late-night host said upon his return from suspension
Reject despair, cynicism, fear, and hate. Bad actors want nothing more than for us to give up, stop caring, and self-isolate. What Stephen Colbert said after the 2016 Orlando nightclub murder of 49 people fits today if you’re anywhere near the perilous pit of putrid despair: “Despair is a victory for hate. Hate wants us to be too weak to change anything.” The antidote to hate is love and Colbert pointed out that since love is a verb we have to do something. Something loving.
Chris John Amorosino lives in Unionville.
https://www.courant.com/2025/09/28/opinion-be-not-afraid-spread-love-heres-how/
