Trail West Dispatch #2

 

Trail West Dispatch #2                                                                       September 13, 2025

“Defend Institutions.  It is institutions that help us to preserve decency.  They need our help as well. . .. Institutions do not protect themselves.  They fall one after the other unless each is defended from the beginning.  So choose an institution you care about . . . and take its side.”           --Timothy Snyder                                                                                                         

Churches, marriages, families, banks, courts, and media outlets all either represent organizations or long-standing established practices and traditions, thus fitting the definition of “institution.”  None of us could thrive in a society without institutions because chaos would prevail.  What happens after they have already failed is a topic for another column, but keeping institutions alive is today’s focus.

At the behest of the US government, many institutions are currently under attack.  Media outlets and universities that are critical of the regime are sued, and often the target settles out of court by capitulating.  Private companies that want government contracts have been asked to sign over a percentage of the company’s ownership under the terms of the contract.  Government-run agencies like prisons and social services are increasingly placed into the hands of for-profit companies.  Election interferences and gerrymandering are stripping away power from large groups of citizens.  Entire government departments and agencies are eliminated, and others are diminished to the point of being ineffective. The promised cost savings have yet to materialize.  In some cities in Democratic states, local law enforcement officials are being pushed aside by federal military personnel who take charge. 

If any of these attacks on institutions ever provoke a violent confrontation, almost certainly the federal government will use it as a pretext for a major crackdown.  This pattern of humbling or smacking down institutions reflects what has arguably happened in every nation that has descended into tyranny.  For that reason alone, this trend should concern us, but the bigger reason for concern is the suffering that is inflicted on innocent people when these institutions no longer function to serve the common good.

Snyder apparently believes that seeking justice through the courts is necessary if institutions are to be defended.  This is likely consistent with his Quaker upbringing, but less so for us.  Indeed, judicial institutions are often cited currently as the best hope for stemming the tide of an authoritarian takeover, but court action is usually slow, and the outcome is uncertain.  Lawmaking bodies like Congress could help hold back the downhill slide, but the will of the majority in Congress to do so is lacking. 

“We the people” is frequently cited as another hope for stemming the march toward authoritarianism. Many of us, however, look at the enormity of the task of defending institutions and feel that our efforts will make no difference.  Paralysis can set in.  A better way is to do whatever small thing that is in our power to do.  Coupled with prayer and great faith, these acts can bring about significant change.  Start close to home, in families, churches, and communities. Pay for subscriptions to the work of truth tellers and buy from local farms and businesses.  Visit public parks and thank everyone who serves the public.

Most importantly, pray. Atypical prayers won’t shock our Heavenly Father.  Sample: “Lord, please seal our lips if we are ever tempted to justify the destruction of good institutions.  Please keep the US Postal Service and the National Weather Service afloat, and help the government to be able to keep people safe and to protect public health.  We pray that roads would be repaired when needed and that the electricity would stay on.  Keep safeguards in place to keep the country from going to war or from attacking its own people.  Help the government to prioritize good stewardship of natural resources—above short-term financial gain for powerful business interests. We pray that small hospitals could stay open and that everyone who works hard could make a decent living, especially those who provide food, clothing, or shelter for others.  We pray that social services would function well to provide aid to those in need, both here and abroad.  Please make decent housing affordable.  Protect people of faith from interference with the free exercise of it.  In every place, in the media, in universities, in museums and libraries, in independent journalism, allow truth and righteousness to prevail over lies and evil.”   –Miriam Iwashige