What Stoic philosophy says about this moment in America...

Last night, (June 30, 2025) I attended my first event for a Democratic candidate for office in the Town of Greece, NY. Amorette Miller is running for election to the Greece Town Board, Ward 3. This QR code (if my picture of it works) will take you to Amorette's campaign website. Remember, ALL politics is local. This is where it starts for me, in my new hometown.

My Congressional Rep. Joe Morelle was there last night. In his remarks, he noted he would be back in DC today to fight against the Big Ugly bill, which the senate passed, only because JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote.

Now, the Big Ugly bill is headed back to the House which, in order to please Trump, must pass it again.

I hope they refuse.

Nevertheless, Congress is going to do what Congress is going to do. Then, WE will do what WE MUST do. Remember, WE STILL have agency. Notably:

from The Century Dictionary.

noun The state of being in action or of exerting power; action; operation; instrumentality.
noun A mode of exerting power; a means of producing effects.

We/I do not control Congress. BUT we each control ourselves. As the American ELECTORATE, we have substantial influence, even though it may not seem like it with Trump in the White House. With EVERY mass protest, we must grow the RESISTANCE. By the way, Erica Chenoweth's book (cover pictured below) can be found in MANY public libraries. And it makes an excellent reference book. 

As far as what Stoic philosophy says about this moment in America...

We blame our bosses, the economy, our politicians, other people, or we write ourselves off as failures or our goals as impossible. When really only one thing is at fault: our attitude and approach.

There have been countless lessons (and books) about achieving success, but no one ever taught us how to overcome failure, how to think about obstacles, how to treat and triumph over them, and so we are stuck. Beset on all sides, many of us are disoriented, reactive, and torn.

We have no idea what to do. On the other hand, not everyone is paralyzed. We watch in awe as some seem to turn those very obstacles, which stymie us, into launching pads for themselves. How do they do that? What’s the secret? Even more perplexing, earlier generations faced worse problems with fewer safety nets and fewer tools. They dealt with the same obstacles we have today plus the ones they worked so hard to try to eliminate for their children and others. And yet . . . we’re still stuck.

What do these figures have that we lack? What are we missing? It’s simple: a method and a framework for understanding, appreciating, and acting upon the obstacles life throws at us. [i.e. Stoic philosophy]

John D. Rockefeller had it—for him it was cool headedness and self-discipline. Demosthenes, the great Athenian orator, had it—for him it was a relentless drive to improve himself through action and practice. Abraham Lincoln had it—for him it was humility, endurance, and compassionate will.

Holiday, Ryan. The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph (p. 2). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Don't blame ANYONE (even yourself, or even citizens who either voted poorly or didn't vote at all). Resolve. Embrace the obstacles. We SHALL overcome, because THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME.