“Just Say No.”
It was once a slogan plastered across billboards and classrooms, a simplistic mantra meant to combat drug use. But the reality proved far more complex. Addiction is not a slogan problem—it’s a societal one. The streets, the prisons, the rehab centers all testify to the failure of that campaign.
And yet, the power of saying “No” remains profound.
Today, we see law firms, media companies, and universities struggling to say “No” to a different kind of pressure: political coercion. When a figure like Donald Trump demands loyalty, compliance, or silence, too many fold. Too many calculate the cost of resistance and decide it’s too high. But what’s the cost of submission?
I’ve faced that choice myself. Years ago, an employer demanded something I knew was unethical. I refused. I resigned. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of firing me. The consequences were personal, but the principle was universal: integrity matters. And sometimes, saying “No” is the only way to preserve it.
We know right from wrong. Not because of religion or dogma, but because of conscience. Plenty of self-proclaimed Christians can quote scripture while trampling its spirit. Morality isn’t about recitation. It’s about action. And action often begins with refusal.
Most of us won’t face decisions that affect millions. But some do. Politicians, for example, wield enormous power with a single vote. When Congressional Republicans backed the OBBB, they inflicted harm on millions. They could have said “No.” They didn’t. They knew better. They chose worse.
Contrast that with John McCain. When his party sought to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, he stood firm. He said “No.” And in doing so, he threw a lifeline to millions. That’s courage. That’s leadership.
Saying “No” takes guts. Especially when the pressure comes from the top. When an autocratic president leans on Congress, on corporations, on universities, it’s time to stand tall, shoulders back, and say “No.” Yes, there may be consequences. Financial hits. Political backlash. Lost primaries. But what’s the alternative? Complicity? Cowardice?
If you’re a member of Congress, ask yourself: is your seat worth your soul? If Trump threatens to primary you, let him. Take a term off. Spend time with your family. Run again later. But don’t sell out your principles to keep your office. Democracy is worth more than your career. And saying “No” might just be the most patriotic act you ever commit.
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