Being silent is a double edged sword.

When you're silent, nobody can tell what you're thinking. They can't exploit your weaknesses. They can't mark you as an enemy for your opposing views. There can be a feeling of safety in silence.

However, silence only gives power to the loud mouths in the room. And loud mouths like to exploit silence.

In the USA in 2026, we are not okay. Everyday people are scared of going outside and being kidnapped, beaten, or killed by our government. This is not a matter of immigration debate. This is not a matter of "politics" (a term now used by many as a scapegoat for their own ignorance). This is a matter of powerful people thinking they can get away with whatever they want.

The reality is that our country, much like any other country in the world, has never been perfect. We have good qualities, yes, but we also have bad qualities. We need to face that reality and not lie to ourselves just to feel better. It's not unpatriotic to acknowledge that your country has problems. And it's not patriotic to latch onto the ideology of any single person or party without thinking for ourselves.

Nuance is an important concept in our world, and I don't believe that the vast majority of Americans - Republican, Democrat, or Independent - actually want all of the things that are happening right now. However, I do believe enough of us are laughing things off, scoffing, and turning a blind eye that the powerful will continue to take advantage. And I do believe that there are enough grifters in high places with no sense of morality to ruin us if we remain silent.

How else can we help one another? I think the answer for each one of us will be different.

Perhaps speaking up is the first step for all of us.