Responsible Dissent Is Patriotic: What We Can Do Instead of Doing Nothing

​I’ve lived in this country for more than 40 years. I served in the military, raised my kids here, paid my taxes, and, like many of us, tried to do the right thing. I became a U.S. citizen in ’87 and still believe this country is worth fighting for.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to speak up when things feel off. Not just complaining, but actually doing something. The truth is, many people I know are worried about the future. Some are quiet because they’re afraid. Others are just burned out or think it won’t matter.

But here’s the thing: doing nothing guarantees more of the same. And silence—however well-intentioned—has never protected anyone from what happens when democracies break down.

🧭 The Role of the Ordinary, Responsible Citizen
I’m not the expert here. But I do think regular people like us have more power than we realize. Especially if we do a few basic things, like:

• Defend the Constitution, even when it doesn’t serve our personal team
• Ask better questions—about how immigration enforcement works, about due process, about who really gets to speak freely and who doesn’t
• Speak calmly and clearly, without slogans or rage-posts
• Show up—even if it’s just in small ways

✊ What You Can Actually Do

• Speak Up—In Your Own Words - Write, post, or talk to friends and neighbors. You don’t need to be loud—you just need to be honest. Share facts. Use examples. Keep your cool. 
• Support the People Doing the Work--Groups like the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, PEN America, and Veterans for American Ideals are on the ground defending rights. If you can donate, great. If not, even sharing their work helps.
• Know Your Rights—The First and Fourteenth Amendments, as do your voting rights, still mean something. Keep your personal documents backed up, especially if you’re naturalized, a vet, or a visible advocate.
• Find Community--Authoritarians thrive on isolation, while democracy needs connection. Join a local group, attend a forum, or build a circle of people who still value truth and decency.
• Vote—and Help Others Do the Same--Not just every four years. Local and school board elections matter more than people think. If you can, help someone get to the polls or walk them through the process.

🧠 Final Thought
I don’t have all the answers. But I know that hoping someone else will fix it never works well. We’re all on the hook—citizens, immigrants, veterans, parents, neighbors. 

I didn’t serve just to watch democracy erode in silence. Speaking out, engaging, and staying informed are not radical; they are civic responsibility.

📚 Sources & Civic Engagement
Here are links to the civic engagement sources I mentioned in the body of the blog. I added several more for good measure:

• ACLU – Legal defense and civil liberties
• NAACP Legal Defense Fund – Racial justice and civil rights
• PEN America – Free speech and press freedom
• Veterans for American Ideals – Veteran-led civic advocacy
• League of Women Voters – Voter education and access
• Brennan Center for Justice – Democracy, law, and rights
• Ballot Ready – Local election info, customized by address