Action 228. Summer Patriotism
Background. On December 19, 1776, Thomas Paine, who in 1775 had published the widely read pamphlet Common Sense. started publishing another series of pamphlets on The American Crisis, opening with the famous phrase "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
The outrages being perpetrated by the Trump administration are breathtaking. We read about them every day, as the Overton window (1) moves perceptibly in the direction of dictatorship. The latest outrage deserves special attention: “Under Donald Trump’s NSPM-7 (National Security Presidential Memorandum 7), our right to dissent faces an existential challenge. Now, Trump is asking Congress to fund an NSPM-7 “Joint Mission Center,” explicitly aimed at identifying and targeting Americans for their beliefs. Under NPSM-7, any form of dissent against the Trump regime — attending a rally, organizing locally, even expressing political views online — could be defined as “domestic terrorism.” (2). Clearly, this is an effort to compile a list of people the Trump/MAGA administration would like to persecute, given the chance. Ask Congress not to fund it.
We are not, at least thus far, being asked to defend our democracy with our lives. We cast about for actions we can take that will make a difference, that will be effective in stopping the abuse. It used to be that there was, or at least seemed to be, influence to be had by contacting our Congress critters. In Maine, we have two legislators who are reliably on board with positions that defend democracy (King and Pingree), and two who have proven to be hopelessly out of touch and hardly worth our time to petition (Collins and Golden). Legislators in other states are mostly insensitive to our pleas (because we don’t vote for them). Large, organized rallies like the “No Kings” protests are effective in waking people up, but they are infrequent. Small weekly standouts don’t get the media attention they deserve. Most people in Maine go on with their lives, trying to make their pay cover their increasing costs thanks to Trump’s economic blunders. What can we do in the few remaining summer months?
Action. I propose that each one of us adopts a Personal Resolution in support of Democracy and the Rule of Law. This Resolution will not be as difficult to fulfill as those you probably adopt every New Year (losing weight, getting more exercise etc.). Here is my own list: if you want to respond with yours, I can publish your suggestions.
1. I will not obey in advance. (3)
2. I will vote every time, but I will not vote for any Republican until the party turns away from being the MAGA party (4). This includes any local race for a seemingly politically insignificant office. I will encourage others to do likewise: vote at every opportunity but not for any Republican even if they are the only candidate.
3. I will stop being afraid to speak my mind, even in social situations. (5)
4. I will attempt to write a letter-to-the-editor at least monthly. (6)
5. I will attend protests and rallies whenever I can, and make or carry a sign that defends my values. (7)
If we all resolve to defend democracy, we may succeed in preserving freedom for ourselves and our progeny.
Extra Credit.
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window
(2) quote from Robert Reich, Inequality Media Civic Action, May 26, 2026. There is no specific federal law that defines “domestic terrorism” https://extremism.gwu.edu/need-specific-law-against-domestic-terrorism but, as an add-on to another criminal charge, it can result in penalties ranging from a few years in prison to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
(3) https://snyder.substack.com/p/obeying-in-advance
(4) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAGA_movement See also Robert Hubbell, Today’s Edition Newsletter, 29 May 2026 “Trump is writing the narrative that we must amplify in the 2026 midterms: Republicans are the party of war, inflation, corruption, and cultish worship of a man who is a convicted felon, civil fraudster, sexual abuser, sociopath, protector of pedophiles, malignant narcissist, and existential threat to democracy.”
(5) https://publicwords.com/2024/09/24/are-you-afraid-to-speak-your-mind/ Also Google AI “fear of speaking one’s mind” and use the “show more” dropdown for articles explaining why you may be afraid.
(6) https://hancockdems.org/volunteer/lte/
(7) See for example https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-power-of-protest-in-the-us/, https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/freedom-of-expression/protest/, https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/advocacy-social-movements/35-rule-understanding-what-makes-protest, https://revolutionaryspaces.org/impact-protest/