Folks, I Don’t Think This Situation Is a “Wait and It Will Resolve” Kinda Thing

Photo by: Jack Prommel

I’ve been hearing a lot of folks say, “Things will work themselves out.” As if democracy is some self-cleaning oven. As if the erosion of rights, the rise in political violence, and the increasing normalization of authoritarian tactics are just phases we can ride out.

I hate to break it to you, but this isn’t a waiting game. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment.

We are watching institutions bend—some of them breaking—under the weight of corruption, disinformation, and a growing indifference to basic democratic norms. The rule of law is becoming a matter of political convenience rather than a fundamental principle. And still, too many people assume that checks and balances will just work, even as those very checks are being dismantled.

Photo by: Kyle Bushnell

The Slow Creep of Authoritarianism Isn’t Theoretical—It’s Happening

We’ve seen this before—history has receipts. Democracies don’t die overnight. They rot from within while people convince themselves that things aren’t that bad. And when the alarms finally go off loud enough, it’s often too late.

What does it look like?

• The delegitimization of elections before they even happen.

• The targeting of marginalized communities to test the limits of state repression.

• The gutting of institutions meant to hold power accountable.

• The shift from subtle dog whistles to outright, unapologetic extremism.

Sound familiar? It should. Because we are already there.

“It Won’t Affect Me” Is a Lie We Tell Ourselves

Maybe you think this is someone else’s problem. Maybe you believe that because you’re not politically engaged, the consequences won’t touch you. That’s the biggest lie we tell ourselves in times like these.

When rights are stripped away, when courts are stacked, when laws are weaponized against dissent—none of us are immune. The history of every fallen democracy shows that those who thought they were safe learn too late that authoritarianism does not stop where you expect it to.

Photo by: Jeff Stapleton

So What Now?

I don’t have all the answers, but I know this: waiting is not a strategy. Hoping someone else fixes it is not a plan. We need to stay engaged, stay informed, and refuse to let fatigue turn into apathy.

• Vote like it’s your job. Not just in presidential elections, but in every local race, every ballot measure, every judge appointment.

• Support journalism that holds power accountable. If you’re still getting news from headlines and memes, dig deeper.

• Push back on disinformation. That means talking to the people in your life who are falling for propaganda. Yes, even when it’s uncomfortable.

• Don’t normalize the unacceptable. Every time we shrug at an outrageous abuse of power, we make it easier for the next one.

• Check out https://www.theconsciouscitizens.org/.

Look, I get it. It’s exhausting. But democracy isn’t a given—it’s a choice we have to make every single day. So no, this isn’t a “wait and it will resolve” kinda thing. This is a “do something before it’s too late” kinda thing.

Are we paying attention? And more importantly—are we ready to act?