Act, don't just get angry
29 January 2026
Almost every day, the Trump criminal enterprise commits acts of violence against Americans, violates the law or lies, enabled by Republicans in Congress. For example:
1. The numerous ways Trump is trying to kill us
“One year into the second Trump administration, and it’s apparent that the president and his regime have little care for your welfare or mine. In fact, it often seems as if Trump & Co. would prefer that many more Americans go ahead and die — of infectious disease; a lack of health care; heart attack and stroke; loose guns; rogue federal agents…the list goes on.” More here.
See also Deaths Due to Trump
2. Illegal actions on a regular basis
“Cutting congressionally-mandated departments? Illegal. Firing federal workers without cause? Illegal. Kidnapping people off the streets and sending them to torture prisons without due process? Illegal. Asserting emergency powers to raise tariffs? Illegal. Siccing the IRS on political enemies? Illegal. Extorting research universities because they respect diversity? Illegal. Denying government access to law firms he doesn’t like? Illegal. Violating court orders? Illegal.” More here.
3. The lies about the people Trump and ICE have killed in cold blood
“Americans are coming together to defeat Trump’s fascism, just as they’ve come together in Minneapolis. Not just demonstrating — but also participating in neighborhood watches, standing guard outside a local mosque during Friday prayers, sending out encrypted messages about where agents are lurking, and taking videos of ICE’s atrocities and sharing them widely.
It’s America tipping toward mass revulsion of Trump and the people around him.
His latest lies and those of his surrounding sycophants are so blatant and disgusting that some Republicans, like my breakfast companion, are abandoning the GOP altogether.” More here.
4. Republican public officials have abandoned their oath of office to serve as doormats for Trump
Every day, Republicans in the House and Senate continue to act as Trump’s doormats, allowing him to do whatever he wants, no matter how illegal or immoral it is.
What can we do? Here are some things I am doing:
Contribute to political campaigns and support bloggers who are not afraid to challenge Trump and the GOP. For example, Chris Bowers discusses The Crucial House Election That Will Be a Referendum on Donald Trump’s Harsh Immigration Crackdown
Sign up for information for the next No Kings Day on 28 March 2026
Boycott the billionaires, when I can (see also the comments)
I have found it helpful to NOT spend much time on things beyond my control or that are unlikely to happen:
Thinking about what others should do, which may be easier than doing something ourselves, but is typically not useful.
Your ideas are welcome in the comments or to Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.
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 your comments (except hate speech) and try to respond briefly, although I can’t keep up a long conversation.
The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.
What you can do today:
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Threads or Instagram: npernickmich
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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.
Really appreciate the framing here about channeling frustration into tangible action. The tendency to rage-scroll and doom-post is real, but it doesnt move the needle on anything. Ive noticed the most effective activsts are the ones who pick 2-3 specific things and commit to them consistently rather than trying to fight every battle. The local action > national outrage ratio seems to matter alot.
Thank You for ALL your efforts informing and encouraging folks to “give a damn”.
I’m having a hard time giving up on shopping w/ Amazon. But I’m working on it.