Why Bother?

Many people say they don’t see the point of individual action. What impact can it possibly have? As noted in One Thing, there is plenty of evidence that shows how effective individual actions can be. Calls, emails, and protests can help build political movements, influence lawmakers, and lead to policy changes. Anyway, you have to start somewhere.

I started with a letter to Leon Panetta. Actually, two neighbors and I mailed letters to former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush, exhorting them to speak out against the unconstitutional and autocratic actions of Musk, DOGE, and the Trump administration. I expanded the mailing list to include a bipartisan group of former cabinet members from past administrations. Defending democracy should be about country, not party.

About a week and a half later there was a letter in my mailbox from Mr. Panetta. He thanked me for writing and said he shared my concerns. He explained what he has been doing — writing op-eds, appearing on news programs, doing lectures. Then he ended with this:

I believe that, in the end, Trump will fail in his most ambitious endeavors, for they are flawed at heart…. No work of genius has ever been built on hatred and contempt. Resentment is insatiable. There never was a leader consumed by greed and cunning in the world that did not overreach and destroy what was good. History is filled with leaders who divided and conquered and the results were not lasting. Again, thank you for writing and don't lose hope. There is much greatness and resilience in our people and system of government.

Sincerely, Leon E. Panetta