• by Dave Morgan , Featured Contributor, March 13, 2025

We must never forget the horrors of the past that were enabled and abetted by the silence of so many.

As I wrote last week, it’s  important for everybody, and particularly business leaders, to make their voices heard on political issues. Too much is at stake in our nation and world for silence to rule as the default position on political and civic issues, even if it makes some people uncomfortable to have them discussed.

I am horrified by the U.S. administration's new flip-flop policies to walk away from our long-term European allies and our ideals, undermining the democratically elected government of Ukraine and its freedom and sovereignty. This hurts not only our long-term role leading the free world, but also our explicit promises in the Budapest Memorandum in 1994.

I am not content to sit on the sidelines in silence while we shut off weapons, intelligence and humanitarian aid and directly enable the villain in the war, Putin’s autocratic Russia, which is intent on the genocidal destruction of Ukraine and its people. Fortunately, the majority of Americans believe as I do, and many of them are raising their voices and finding ways to make a difference.

Of course, Ukraine is not the only issue that many Americans -- and, in a number of cases, a majority of Americans -- have with the current administration. There are many: the gutting of the federal workforce. Expensive, petulant trade wars with key partner nations. The decapitation of the leadership of the U.S. military. The hollowing out of initiatives to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion. Removing science and empiricism from our public health care system.

Many people are upset, and many feel powerless, watching the news and not knowing how to stop the news.

You can make a difference. It’s not hard.

Be informed -- have a point of view. So many people out there parrot or share what they hear or read without actually understanding and verifying it. We all need to be better informed, and we all need to develop thoughtful points of view. It is a critical step to creating true political discourse.

Raise your voice. Don’t be silent. Speak. Write. Participate. Yelling at the TV or your news feed isn’t going to make you happier, nor will it make a difference. Once you have a point of view, you need to use it.

Invest your money. Put your money where your mouth is. Donate to causes and movements that can help. Support candidates prepared to be your change agents. Support businesses that support causes and policies that matter to you.

Participate in the civic process. Attend local government meetings. Peaceably protest against unjust policies. Sign petitions. Call your legislators, and, particularly, your Congressional delegations.

We are in the age of the “permanent campaign.” The midterm election cycle has already begun -- which is why Elon Musk just announced he's going to contribute another $100 million to back up the $300 million he gave in the presidential election.

Show courage. Courage is doing something that frightens you, showing strength through an ordeal. Too many have strong views but won’t express them or act on them for fear of criticism, exclusion or retaliation.

This is no time to sit in fear. This is the time to act with courage and conviction. Our nation, our way of life and the future of our children’s world depends on it.

Remember, the more you have the courage to make a difference, the easier you will make it for others to do the same.