After reading recent reports about U.S. Postal Service activities and their potential implications for mail in ballots, I contacted my city clerk. Here is what I learned and what I plan to do:

• The election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, but you do not have to wait until Election Day to vote. You can vote early in person or vote by absentee ballot.

• I typically vote by absentee ballot and return my completed ballot to my city’s official drop box rather than mailing it. After a few days, I verify through the Michigan Voter Information Center that my ballot was received. You can check your own ballot status here.

• Although absentee ballots are scheduled to become available beginning September 24, 2026, my city clerk told me that they do not expect ballots to actually be available until early October. If you are on the permanent absentee ballot list and have not received your ballot by then, contact your city or township clerk to check its status.

• I do not like unnecessary stress, so I will not mail my completed ballot back. I plan to put it directly into my city’s official ballot drop box and then verify that it was received.

• As of today, my city clerk has not received any instructions from the State of Michigan requiring the city to handle this election differently from previous elections. If that changes, the clerk’s office will notify voters.

Whatever method you use, make a plan to vote and make sure your ballot is received and counted.

My reasoning is straightforward: even where I strongly disagree with El-Sayed on Israel, I believe there is little he could realistically do as one senator to cause significant harm to Israel. By contrast, Mike Rogers, his Republican opponent, would help advance Donald Trump’s agenda in the Senate every single day and support Trump’s disastrous policies, appointments and attacks on democratic institutions.

I’ll keep making that case. But I recognize that some Democrats, particularly Jewish Democrats, may find they simply cannot vote for El-Sayed. If that’s you, here is what I suggest:

1. Contribute more than usual or volunteer to help Democrats in other U.S. Senate races, especially the close ones. This helps offset the possible loss of a Democratic seat in Michigan.

2. Contribute more than usual or volunteer to help Democrats running for other Michigan statewide offices: Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, and for the state House and Senate.

3. Write in Haley Stevens as a protest vote. This is far better than voting for Mike Rogers.

4. Support my efforts, or something similar, to reduce hatred - including Muslim hatred of Jews. There should be no hatred of anyone. Reasonable minds should disagree, but in a civil manner without threats or violence. But Muslim hatred of Jews, has persisted for centuries (now it is focused on Israel) and Muslim clergy and political leaders rarely seem troubled by it. I am thinking of setting up a local anti-hate organization, or perhaps reinvigorating an existing one - more to follow.

If you live near Southfield, I can drop off one of these signs; you’re also welcome to make your own.

5. Call out hate when you see it, especially within your own group. That is where it matters most, and it is simply not acceptable. But we should call it out in others, too. A rough test for hate speech: if a piece of writing mentions Jews, Israel, genocide or AIPAC more than once every hundred words, it is probably hate speech. Another test: substitute “Muslims,” “Palestinians,” “terrorists,” or “Arab PACs” for “Jews,” “Israel,” and “AIPAC.” If Muslims would be offended by the result, the original is probably hate speech.

6. Be discerning about the groups you support. I’ve dropped my membership in many so called progressive and peace groups because I believe they are deeply biased and, in some cases, antisemitic. I have no objection to criticizing Israel over the war in Gaza. I’ve done so myself. But a group that repeatedly condemns Israel while failing to apply comparable scrutiny to Hamas and Palestinian leaders is not applying an objective standard. Hamas started this war with barbaric attacks of October 7 and has contributed to its continuation. Anyone who cares about Palestinians should strongly condemn Hamas for starting the war and Palestinian leadership in the U.S. who did little to try to end it.

Organizations and individuals genuinely seeking peace should condemn hatred, terrorism and attacks on civilians regardless of who commits them. Applying fundamentally different standards depending on which side is responsible undermines credibility and makes genuine reconciliation more difficult.

That is why, even as a Jew who supports Abdul El-Sayed, I will not support Jews for Abdul. Based on its website, the group appears to apply different standards to Israelis and Palestinians. Criticism of Israel is legitimate and necessary when warranted. Criticism that consistently portrays Israel as wrong and Palestinians as right, regardless of the facts or conduct involved, is not evenhanded criticism. It is bias and may be antisemitism.

7. Anticipate what may come. We have to be ready for the hateful, antisemitic behavior of people within the Democratic Party - the kind Congresswoman Haley Stevens described at the recent Michigan Democratic convention. It has happened before and it can happen again.

8. Stay in the fight for the party. I remain a strong supporter of the Democratic Party. My father, Larry Pernick, of blessed memory, was the first Democratic chair of the Oakland County Commission. But the party has been infected by hateful people and ideologies and we cannot pretend otherwise. We must fight back to remove this hateful conduct.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

The central dogma of molecular pathology is that genetic information flows in a straight line: DNA is transcribed into mRNA, which is then translated into protein. In reality, that flow is anything but straightforward. Roughly 200 distinct types of changes can shape what happens to any given segment of DNA on its way to becoming a functional product. They are catalogued and briefly explained in my new CCN topic, Interacting regulatory networks. How should we make sense of this diversity of mechanisms?

Listing the possible changes does not, on its own, explain how a cell built from so many interacting pieces settles into one of just a few stable, repeatable identities instead of becoming either frozen or disordered - that question belongs to complexity theory

A regulatory network this large could in principle exist in a nearly limitless number of molecular states, yet in practice the cell only ever visits a tiny fraction of them; instead its activity keeps converging onto a handful of attractors (stable, self reinforcing patterns of activity) - Kauffman’s central proposal is that the cell types we recognize are simply the attractors of the genome’s regulatory network (J Theor Biol 1969;22:437, Semin Cell Dev Biol 2009;20:869)

This is why the feedback loops, on/off switches (bistable switches), oscillators and epigenetic memory listed under Systems level regulation matter: they are not a separate class of regulator but the very machinery that funnels the entire hierarchy above into a small number of stable cell states (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002;99:10528)

Living networks appear to sit right at the border between order and disorder (self organized criticality, the “edge of chaos”): orderly enough that a cell’s identity resists most disturbances (through backup parts, overlapping functions and feedback), yet flexible enough to respond to hormonal, metabolic and microenvironmental signals; sitting at this border is what lets a single fixed genome be both stable and adaptable

In this framework, cancer is not merely an accumulation of broken parts but the network settling into an abnormal attractor - a stable, self perpetuating cell state that matches no normal tissue, often with immature or embryonic features; this helps explain why very different combinations of alterations can end up producing similar cancers and why those cancer states are passed on from a cell to its daughters without any further mutation (Semin Cell Dev Biol 2009;20:869, Semin Cancer Biol 2011;21:183)

The superpromoters (chronic inflammation, DNA alterations, immune dysfunction, hormonal effects) can be pictured as forces that reshape the landscape itself - deepening attractors that are normally shallow or off limits and lowering the barriers around them - rather than simply breaking individual genes; they act as steady pressures that bias the whole network rather than as isolated point failures (Breast Dis 2006;26:27)

The very robustness that normally keeps a healthy identity stable now keeps the malignant state stable too - a principled reason single target therapy so often fails: the network finds a way around the block and drifts back toward the cancer attractor, so resistance is in part a property of the attractor itself and not only a matter of which cells are selected to survive

This view also points to a complementary kind of treatment - destabilizing or reprogramming the malignant attractor to push cells into a benign or mature (differentiated) state, as differentiation therapy already achieves in acute promyelocytic leukemia (Blood 2025;145:1251)

Email me (Nat@PathologyOutlines.com) with any comments or reply below.

If you like these essays, please subscribe or share.

• Index to Nat’s essays on Cancer and Medicine.

• Follow me on LinkedIn, Threads and Instagram (@npernickmich) or Bluesky (@natpernick.bsky.social).

• Explore our Curing Cancer Network through our Curing Cancer Newsletter, our LinkedIn pages or the CCN section of our PathologyOutlines.com blog. Each week, we post interesting cancer related images of malignancies with diagnoses, plus articles of interest.

• Explore our textbook, How Cancer Arises, under construction.

Latest cancer related documents:

• Strategic plan to substantially reduce cancer deaths

• American Code Against Cancer (how you can prevent cancer)

• Cancer Precursor Project spreadsheet and General Overview

Email: Nat@PathologyOutlines.com (please note I cannot provide medical advice or assist with research projects)

Follow my Substack Notes — subscribers are automatically notified.

This is the fifth election in which I’ve hosted a Voter Challenge - a friendly contest among eight nearby cities to see which can achieve the highest voter turnout. The goal is simple: every registered voter votes.

I focus on these eight cities, but I really want every registered voter in the entire country to vote. I can only do so much, though. I’m just an ordinary person with limited resources, and I concentrate on the communities in my Nextdoor app because that’s easiest for me.

For the 2024 Voter Challenge, I spent 50 to 100 hours and donated $2,750 of my own money to charities chosen by the winning cities. Many other communities could benefit from a program like this, and I’m glad to help others set up their own, but I just don’t have the resources to run them all myself.

I encourage everyone to vote. It’s good for you personally: it builds self-confidence and helps you understand how things work. It’s also good for your community and your country. Who you vote for is entirely your choice. I have my own opinions, of course, but I keep them out of this program.

The idea of “compartmentalization” may be new to some people. We all have biases — the point is not to let them affect activities where they don’t belong. As a lawyer, I had clients I didn’t personally like, but I still represented them to the best of my ability. Members of your city council or commission have their own business interests and political views, yet they set those aside and try to act in the best interest of the city.

The main point is this: please VOTE. I plan to vote absentee on September 24, 2026, the very first day it’s possible. If necessary, I can go to the city hall, pick up my ballot and deposit it in the drop box. Voting is easy. Every community should be able to reach a 90% turnout.

As U.S. citizens, we have very few fixed responsibilities - voting is one of them.

Please vote!

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Below are short excerpts from essays by some of our 2026 Detroit College Promise scholarship recipients, written in response to two prompts:

• How I have made Detroit Public Schools better

• How I am working to make the world a better place

The Detroit College Promise is a 501(c)(3) organization that has awarded scholarships to Detroit Public School students since 2008 (from 2015 to 2025 under the Detroit Public School Foundation). Please consider a Donation to support these students: 100% of every contribution goes directly to a student’s college or university as a scholarship. Our overhead exists, but it is covered entirely by our sponsoring organization, PathologyOutlines.com.

Excerpts taken from: https://detroitcollegepromise.com/scholar-essays/

Christian Dunson

One of the ways I have made Detroit Public Schools better is through my dedication to academic excellence. By maintaining strong grades and challenging myself with advanced coursework, I help raise the academic standard among my peers.

Jace Fields

Making the world a better place does not always start with huge changes. Sometimes it starts with curiosity, education, and caring about the world around you. Through science and my passion for animals, I hope to use what I learn to help protect ecosystems and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

Jada Jordan

If I’ve made my school any better, it’s because I’ve written its cracks, courage, and contradictions. And when people read my words and see themselves reflected there, even if it was for just a second, that’s how I know I’ve done something good. Not a loud good or a headline good. Just a lasting good.

Khyra Baker

Whether I am leading the first chair viola section in the orchestra or re-engineering a robot’s intake mechanism, my goal is to prove that DPS students are not just participants in a system, but we are the architects of its improvement. Through technical grit and creative advocacy, I am working to ensure that the future of Detroit Public Schools is as innovative and harmonious as the systems I aim to build.

Detroit College Promise website

Donations

Questions? contact@detroitcollegepromise.com

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

I am voting for Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in the November 2026 election for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat. In fact, I’ll cast my absentee ballot for him on September 24, 2026.

El-Sayed is a traditional progressive liberal. He is also, as I’ve described in earlier posts, something of a hatemonger. To be fair, I wouldn’t call him a leader of hate - more an “average” Muslim hater. But the choice before us is El-Sayed versus Mike Rogers, and on that choice El-Sayed is the far better candidate, even for those of us who are proud Jews.

Here is why it’s not close. Trump is not merely the worst president in our history; he is a major enemy of the civilized world. Rogers will be his Trumpworm, his sock puppet, his butt-kisser, call it what you like. He may well be the deciding vote that pushes Trump’s evil and insanity further. El-Sayed, by contrast, will oppose Trump. It really is that simple.

Yes, El-Sayed’s hostility toward Israel worries me. But he would be one of only a handful of senators holding that view, so while it will be irritating, I expect it will rarely be dispositive. And I believe, over time, he will moderate.

I’ve written to El-Sayed asking him to end the hatred. I’ve gotten no response, but I’ll keep pressing him, and other prominent Muslims, to speak out against it. Perhaps his candidacy will actually raise the level of that conversation. Muslim hatred of Israel and of Jews does no good for Muslims; if anything, it turns people against them. For their own sake, they should work to minimize it.

I’m not alone in concluding that Jews and their allies should back El-Sayed.

Jack Lessenberry writes:

Mike Rogers has sold his soul and indicates that he has signed on for every evil and stupid thing Trump wants or says. Do you know what will happen if Trump has a senate majority for his last two years?

. . .

You do the best you can, and nobody in history has known that better than the Jews.

The Jewish Forward has run a favorable piece on El-Sayed.

And The Contrarian appears to be in his corner as well:

Focusing on widely popular, unifying themes and forcing Republicans to defend Trump’s toxic record will be the key to success in Michigan and elsewhere. If El-Sayed does emerge the winner and maintains that focus, Democrats will prevail in Michigan, go a long way toward securing a Senate majority, and set the groundwork for victory in 2028, which is essential to recapturing our democracy from the clutches of a fascist, corrupt MAGA regime.

I try to act like an adult, and I hope you will too. That means picking the best available choice, and in this race El-Sayed is markedly better than Rogers. I am voting for him and supporting him, and I urge every Jew in Michigan, and every other registered voter, to do the same.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

I have updated my strategic plan to substantially reduce cancer deaths. The update includes an Executive Summary and expands the discussion of complexity science and how we understand cancer.

This strategic plan proposes a complementary systems based framework for reducing cancer mortality. Rather than searching for a single breakthrough or "silver bullet," it argues that lasting progress will likely arise from integrating many partially effective approaches. These include advances in prevention, early detection, molecular diagnostics, combination therapies, public health, clinical trials and supportive care. The plan also incorporates concepts from complexity science, viewing cancer as a complex adaptive system in which malignant behavior emerges from interactions among genetic alterations, epigenetic regulation, the immune system, metabolism and the tumor microenvironment.

The plan focuses on what needs to be accomplished, even when we do not yet know how to accomplish all of it:

This strategic plan, initially developed in February 2021, proposes a long term strategy to substantially reduce annual cancer deaths in the United States from the 626,140 deaths projected for 2026 to 100,000 per year. Although this goal is intentionally ambitious, history demonstrates that transformative progress often begins with bold objectives. Thus, after over 50 years of fighting the War on Cancer, we need to dare greatly to determine our desired cancer related goals and how we might attain them, even if many steps are unknown. Defining an aspirational destination encourages broader thinking about how it might eventually be achieved.

Complete strategic plan

If you like these essays, please subscribe or share.

• Index to Nat’s blog on Cancer and Medicine.

• Follow me on LinkedIn, Threads and Instagram (@npernickmich) or Bluesky (@natpernick.bsky.social).

• Explore our Curing Cancer Network through our Curing Cancer Newsletter, our LinkedIn pages or the CCN section of our PathologyOutlines.com blog. Each week, we post interesting cancer related images of malignancies with diagnoses, plus articles of interest.

• Explore our textbook, How Cancer Arises, under construction.

Latest cancer related documents:

• Strategic plan to substantially reduce cancer deaths

• American Code Against Cancer (how you can prevent cancer)

• Cancer Precursor Project spreadsheet and General Overview

Email: Nat@PathologyOutlines.com (please note I cannot provide medical advice or assist with research projects)

Follow my Substack Notes — subscribers are automatically notified.

Twenty-five years after launching PathologyOutlines.com, Dr. Pernick has begun a second free online medical textbook, How Cancer Arises, with a focus on complexity theory.

The section on CNS diffuse adult type gliomas is now complete, with topics on astrocytoma, IDH mutant; glioblastoma, IDH wildtype; and oligodendroglioma, IDH mutant and 1p/19q codeleted.

Unlike PathologyOutlines.com, which focuses on diagnostic pathology, How Cancer Arises examines the origin of each of the estimated 1,205 human malignancies and includes sections on premalignant precursor lesions, cell(s) of origin, initiating events, major malignant pathways, determinants of histologic patterns and Nat’s comments on complexity theory.

This textbook is not yet peer reviewed, but comments are welcome at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

If you like these essays, please subscribe or share.

• Index to Nat’s blog on Cancer and Medicine.

• Follow me on LinkedIn, Threads and Instagram (@npernickmich) or Bluesky (@natpernick.bsky.social).

• Explore our Curing Cancer Network through our Curing Cancer Newsletter, our LinkedIn pages or the CCN section of our PathologyOutlines.com blog. Each week, we post interesting cancer related images of malignancies with diagnoses, plus articles of interest.

• Explore our textbook, How Cancer Arises textbook, under construction.

Latest cancer related documents:

• Strategic plan to substantially reduce cancer deaths

• American Code Against Cancer (how you can prevent cancer)

• Cancer Precursor Project spreadsheet and General Overview

Email: Nat@PathologyOutlines.com (please note I cannot provide medical advice or assist with research projects)

Follow my Substack Notes — subscribers are automatically notified.

In Michigan, absentee voting begins Thursday, September 24, 2026.

The 2026 Voter Challenge is the fifth voter turnout contest I have run (see results for the 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024 elections). It covers eight communities near me: Berkley, Ferndale, Huntington Woods, Lathrup Village, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, and Southfield. Totals are based on Oakland County, Michigan records, and prizes will be paid as checks from me to a charity designated by each city.

The goal is to have the highest voter turnout, measured as a percentage of registered voters, in the November 3, 2026 election. Prizes are $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third. In addition, any city reaching at least 75% turnout receives a $250 award, and any city reaching at least 80% receives a $500 award. Each city receives only one award, whichever is the largest it qualifies for.

I will be encouraging every city and its residents to turn out for the competition, both because it is good for the community and because voting is good for citizens.

Here are the past results:

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

It is time to acknowledge and confront antisemitic hatred and acts of violence against Jews in Michigan, including hatred and violence coming from some Muslims and Palestinians. Muslim and Palestinian religious and political leaders, along with everyone who cares about creating a safer and better world, should speak out clearly against it.

Of course, we should condemn all hatred, regardless of who expresses it or who is targeted. Antisemitism is no more acceptable when it comes from Muslims or Palestinians than anti-Muslim or anti-Palestinian hatred is when it comes from Jews or anyone else.

Yet there has been too little attention to antisemitism within parts of the Muslim and Palestinian communities, even as Michigan has recently experienced a disturbing series of attacks, threats, vandalism and harassment directed at Jews and Jewish institutions.

Major attacks and federal cases

Temple Israel vehicle attack (West Bloomfield, March 2026): An armed individual rammed a truck into Temple Israel and set parts of the building on fire while children were inside, leading to an exchange of gunfire and the attacker’s death. The FBI classified the incident as a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community. A potentially catastrophic loss of life was avoided, perhaps primarily because the attacker’s truck became stuck in the school hallway. Currently, Temple Israel, similar to most other synagogues, has multiple layers of paid security. Many regularly hold active shooter drills. That alone says that Jews do not feel safe.

Federal indictments of anti-Israel conspirators (June 2026): The U.S. Department of Justice indicted eight individuals on federal charges arising from an alleged coordinated campaign of intimidation. The alleged actions included spray painting threatening messages on the Jewish Federation building on the anniversary of October 7, placing fake bloody corpses outside the private homes of University of Michigan officials and targeting other local institutions. These defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence, but if the allegations are proven, this conduct should not be dismissed as protected political protest. Consider the same conduct directed at Muslims or Palestinians. Would we hesitate to condemn it?

MSU Chabad Center vandalism (East Lansing, late 2025): The Chabad Center at Michigan State University was targeted with broken windows and spray painted Nazi imagery.

Vandalism, propaganda and harassment

Suburban Detroit pamphlet distribution (July 2026): Police in Huntington Woods and Oak Park investigated repeated distributions of antisemitic and dehumanizing literature containing Nazi imagery in residential neighborhoods.

Southfield and Berkley flyer dropss (July 2026): Packets containing offensive and racist flyers were distributed on residential lawns in metro Detroit communities.

Sterling Heights vandalism (April 2026): Two out of state individuals were arrested and charged after allegedly spray painting antisemitic slogans and hate graffiti on residential fences and walls.

K–12 schools and universities

Birmingham elementary school incident (2026): During a school event, stickers containing antisemitic language and images of assault rifles were reported.

University campuses (2023–2025): Michigan universities have experienced repeated confrontations, protests and allegations of targeted harassment of Jewish students. Political advocacy for Palestinians and criticism of the Israeli government are legitimate forms of expression. Threats, intimidation and harassment of Jewish students are not.

Every political and religious leader should condemn hatred, regardless of its source or its target. But leadership also means confronting hatred within one’s own community, where speaking out may be more difficult and more meaningful.

That is why Michigan’s Muslim and Palestinian political, religious and community leaders have a particular responsibility to condemn antisemitism when it comes from Muslims or Palestinians, just as Jewish leaders have a responsibility to condemn anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian hatred when it comes from Jews.

The actions of extremists should never be attributed to an entire community. But neither should fear of offending a community prevent us from confronting hatred within it. Silence, excuses and selective condemnation allow hatred to grow.

If we truly believe that hate is wrong, the standard must be simple: condemn it when it comes from our opponents, and condemn it just as strongly when it comes from our own side.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

Detroit College Promise scholars attending our August 2026 reception

Board member Pamela Moore (left) and PathologyOutlines.com staff attending the Detroit College Promise reception

Nat Pernick, M.D., Detroit College Promise Executive Director, and Detroit City Councilmember Mary Waters

Dr. Pernick speaking to some of the Detroit College Promise scholars

The first year with Detroit College Promise back under the stewardship of PathologyOutlines.com was a wonderful one. We’re excited to announce 66 Scholars for the Class of 2026, each of whom will receive a $500 scholarship for two years (click the link to read their essays). We recently had the honor of celebrating with some of them at a joyful, energetic reception, where we recognized the Scholars alongside several distinguished guests: Detroit City Councilmember Mary Waters, State Representative Joe Tate, DCP Board Member Pamela Moore, and DCP Founder and Executive Director Dr. Nat Pernick.

Councilmember Waters opened the reception with inspiring remarks on the strength of DPSCD (Detroit Public Schools Community District) schools and the value of a college education, encouraging the Scholars to pursue their studies and one day return home to Detroit. Board Member Pamela Moore, a Detroit Public Schools graduate herself, spoke about her own college journey and urged the Scholars to "handle your business" by not taking the easy route when roadblocks arise.

Dr. Nat Pernick, DCP's Founder and Executive Director, shared that he started the nonprofit in 2008 to give back for the outstanding education his parents, Larry and Anne Pernick, received at Longfellow, Durfee, and Central High School. He believes in making the world a better place through service to your community and beyond. Dr. Pernick congratulated the Scholars and encouraged them to find ways to help others, including through civic involvement.

Representative Tate mingled with the Scholars throughout the event, offering his congratulations over slices of cake.

Detroit College Promise is largely supported by a Detroit area business, PathologyOutlines.com, and we’re grateful to its staff members whose efforts were vital to the reception’s success. Please donate to help our students - 100% of donations go directly to colleges and universities on behalf of our Scholars. This is not a typo: all overhead is paid by PathologyOutlines.com.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 Detroit College Promise Scholars! We wish you the best as you begin your college journey.

We’ll announce the application dates for the Class of 2027 later this year; watch for it on Detroit College Promise’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

Imagine if a prominent Palestinian or Muslim leader delivered the speech below. I realize that this is unlikely to happen soon. Nevertheless, I believe it reflects a vision that could help move the region toward peace, security and prosperity for both Palestinians and Israelis.

I appreciate your comments, either below or to Nat@PathologyOutlines.com. I plan to share this speech with Palestinian, Muslim and other community leaders. Even if no one ever delivers these exact words, perhaps this speech will encourage discussion about what a hopeful path forward could look like.

My Brothers and Sisters,

For generations, our people have endured hardship, loss and uncertainty. The suffering of Palestinian families is real, and so is our longing for dignity, security, freedom and a better future for our children.

Today, I ask that we look not only to our past but to our future.

That future demands courage. Not only the courage to endure suffering but also the courage to choose a new path.

Today, we declare that the time has come to end the cycle of hatred. We cannot build tomorrow if we remain imprisoned by yesterday’s conflicts. We can honor our history without allowing it to determine our destiny.

We affirm the right of the Palestinian people to a sovereign, democratic and prosperous state living in peace with its neighbors. At the same time, we recognize Israel’s right to exist and to live in peace and security. These two aspirations are not enemies. They are partners in the only future that can bring lasting peace.

Disagreements between nations are inevitable. But civilized societies resolve those disagreements through dialogue, diplomacy, negotiation and mutual respect, not through violence against innocent civilians.

For that reason, we reject terrorism in all its forms. The deliberate targeting of civilians is morally wrong. It has brought unimaginable suffering to both Palestinians and Israelis. It has not brought us closer to our national aspirations. Instead, it has deepened fear, destruction and isolation.

We will work with responsible partners throughout the region and the international community to confront violent extremism, strengthen the rule of law and protect innocent civilians. Our children deserve classrooms instead of battlefields, opportunity instead of fear and hope instead of despair.

Our greatest mission must now become the work of nation building in Palestine.

Let us build institutions that are honest, transparent and accountable. Let us encourage entrepreneurship and create businesses that provide meaningful jobs. Let us strengthen our schools, universities, hospitals and cultural institutions. Let us invest in science, technology, agriculture and the extraordinary talents of our young people.

Let us build a nation that earns the respect of the world through its achievements, its compassion, its innovation and its commitment to peace.

Peace is not surrender. Peace is strength. It requires greater courage to build than to destroy. It requires greater wisdom to reconcile than to hate. It requires greater vision to prepare the next generation for opportunity than for conflict.

We will continue to advocate for Palestinian rights through peaceful means and principled leadership. We will pursue justice through diplomacy because lasting peace can exist only when both Palestinians and Israelis enjoy security, dignity, freedom and hope.

To our Israeli neighbors, we extend a hand of peace.

To the nations of the world, we ask for your partnership in helping us build a prosperous and peaceful Palestine.

To our own people, I ask for confidence in ourselves and faith that our children can inherit a Middle East defined not by endless conflict but by cooperation, prosperity and mutual respect.

The road ahead will not be easy. There will be setbacks, disappointments and disagreements with those who prefer hatred over hope. But history teaches us that nations are transformed when ordinary people choose courage over fear, cooperation over conflict and the future over the past.

Let this be the generation that ended the cycle of violence.

Let this be the generation that chose to build instead of destroy.

Let this be the generation that gave Palestinian children and Israeli children the chance to grow up in peace.

May God bless the Palestinian people, bless all the peoples of our region and guide us toward justice, wisdom and lasting peace.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

"Progressive" has traditionally meant standing against bigotry, discrimination and hatred in all their forms. That principle is worth defending.

But the word has lost force, because many people who call themselves progressive support, excuse or tolerate antisemitism, or hatred aimed at Israelis or Jews, even as they condemn every other kind of prejudice.

The same problem afflicts some self-described "peace groups." A commitment to peace cannot be selective. It means opposing violence, terrorism and hatred no matter who commits them and no matter who the victims are.

You cannot honestly call yourself progressive, or committed to peace, if you:

• Do not support Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign nation. Many of us strongly oppose the policies of Israel’s current government or prime minister, but opposing a government’s actions is fundamentally different from denying a nation’s right to exist. We may strongly criticize the governments of Iran, Russia or the United States without arguing that those countries should cease to exist.

• Have not condemned the Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023.

• Have not condemned the Palestinian government’s holding of Israeli hostages for over 2 years.

• Have not condemned intimidation, harassment or violence directed at Jewish students or Jewish institutions on college campuses.

• Have not condemned hate speech by elected officials, candidates or public figures regardless of whether they are Muslim, Arab, Christian, Jewish or any other background.

The standard should be simple and universal: condemn hatred, terrorism and bigotry no matter who commits them and no matter who the victims are. That includes members of our own communities and the people we usually agree with. If you won't hold to that, don't claim labels that don't describe you.

All of us must condemn hate. Against anyone and everyone. Even committed by our own people. Period. Those who refuse to do so do not deserve our respect, or our vote.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

This is an excellent article by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman on the kind of leadership the Middle East needs today.

As many of you know, one of my personal passions is supporting a prosperous Palestine that coexists peacefully alongside Israel. To help encourage thoughtful discussion about what that future could look like, I established a Palestine nation building essay scholarship. In its first year, we received 93 applications from high school seniors across 25 states, and we will be announcing the winner(s) soon.

Friedman makes a point that is both simple and essential: neither Palestinians nor Israelis are going away. Lasting peace will require recognizing that reality and finding ways to live together while rejecting the hatred and extremism that continue to fuel the conflict.

But the Palestinians are a people — more than seven million of them live in that space — and they are not going away or relinquishing their right to statehood, no matter what fantasy Bibi and his followers propagate to the contrary.

But more than seven million Jews also live in that space, and they, too, are not going away or relinquishing their right to a Jewish state — no matter what Mamdani and other democratic socialists say.

Those who aspire to leadership should be willing to condemn hatred, especially when it comes from members of their own community, and do the difficult work of identifying opportunities for Palestinians and Israelis to cooperate, build trust and advance peaceful coexistence. This type of leadership is difficult, but it is the only path to a more secure and prosperous future for both peoples.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy, and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

Today’s essay highlights three essays:

First, if you oppose ICE, you may want to vote against those members of Congress who are funding them. Click on the link for the list of Every Member of Congress Who Funded ICE (so you can vote them out). Those in Michigan are listed below:

Second, Chris Bowers has an interesting take on why are politics is the way it is, Life in Activism: Our Politics Is so Toxic Because—Sadly—That’s What People Said They Wanted

People will say all the time that they don’t like or want the toxic, insulting, polarized, negative, exaggerated, crisis-mongering and generally debased political content they are being served these days. However, what they actually consume says otherwise. The public has made it loud and clear that they will consume toxic, often disgusting, political content from candidates, pundits, media organizations, and advocacy groups in far greater amounts than they will consume political content that is uplifting. And, as a result, toxic content is the type of content they keep getting. Entire essay

Finally, something different: O Freedom, Psalm of Protest, by Alden Solovy

O Freedom: Psalm of Protest 14
A psalm of protest.
For guitar and drum.
O freedom.
O justice.
That tyrants can’t deny.
O freedom.
O justice.
This is our rally cry.
Let all who love this country,
Let all who love this land,
Stand up and shout with power,
Injustice will not stand.
Be strong against the hatred.
Be strong against deceit.
Organize to fight the cause
And never dare retreat.
Come sisters, now, come brothers,
Come join, come heed this call.
And we will fight together,
For freedom, one and all.
O freedom.
O justice.
That tyrants can’t deny.
O freedom.
O justice.
This is our rally cry.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy, and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

Each of us has a responsibility to help make the world a better place. The Talmud teaches:

הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, לֹא עָלֶיךָ הַמְּלָאכָה לִגְמֹר, וְלֹא אַתָּה בֶן חוֹרִין לִבָּטֵל מִמֶּנָּה

“It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it.” (Pirkei Avot 2:16)

None of us can solve every problem. Realistically, we may never completely solve even one. But each of us can make one issue a little better through our own efforts.

It is worth asking ourselves regularly: What am I doing to make the world a better place?

Only you can answer that question. Here are a few possibilities:

• Vote in every election and encourage others to do the same. Every community should strive for voter turnout of 80% or higher. Small numbers of votes can make a big difference (I am aware of elections for Mayor of Ann Arbor and County Commissioner of Oak Park that were decided by one vote).

• Become politically active. In the United States, ultimate sovereign power rests with the people, not with the President or other elected officials. Good government requires informed, engaged citizens who are willing to devote time to understanding public issues and holding their leaders accountable.

• If you are able, donate to political campaigns or organizations whose values you support.

• Read widely and subscribe to blogs or publications that challenge and expand your thinking. On the other hand, I suggest you stay away from dishonest sources or evil people, lest you accidentally become part of that evil yourself.

• Talk with your friends and family about issues that matter, and encourage them to become more involved in their communities.

• Think about doing the activities suggested in this blog.

• Share what you are doing in the comments below. Your example may inspire someone else to take action.

The future will not be shaped only by presidents, legislators or judges. It will be shaped by millions of ordinary people who choose not to stand on the sidelines.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy, and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

Effective governments and institutions depend on their ability to respond to criticism from their constituents and the media. Leaders who dismiss or attack criticism weaken their own effectiveness because they reject an essential mechanism of accountability. Political leaders who routinely castigate the press, such as Donald J. Trump, risk isolating themselves from the feedback needed to govern effectively. The same principle applies to leadership at every level. If you are unwilling or unable to respond constructively to criticism, your effectiveness will suffer. Although no one enjoys being criticized, the willingness to listen, learn and adapt is one of the essential ingredients of success.

The converse is equally important: a nation cannot succeed if its citizens are unwilling or unable to criticize their own leaders. Holding governments accountable is one of the fundamental responsibilities of citizenship. As many readers know, one of my longstanding causes is the vision of a prosperous Palestine living peacefully alongside Israel. I have even established a scholarship essay contest for U.S. high school seniors on the subject of nation building. In my view, Palestine is unlikely to become a prosperous state unless Palestinians are willing to question and criticize their own leadership. Historically, that has happened only rarely.

In my opinion, the current leadership of both the United States and Israel has performed very poorly (the worst of all time). Yet there is reason for optimism because Americans and Israelis openly and vigorously criticize their governments. Public debate, even when contentious, creates opportunities for accountability, reform and better decision making. Palestinians, by contrast, have seldom criticized their leadership publicly, even after decisions with profound consequences.

For example, Palestinians should have questioned:

• The decision to launch the October 7, 2023 attack despite the foreseeable likelihood that it would lead to enormous Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction in Gaza.

• The decision to prolong the conflict by continuing to hold Israeli hostages and by continuing attacks against Israel despite the severe humanitarian consequences for Palestinians.

Some Palestinians may have believed these actions would ultimately advance their national cause by increasing international criticism of Israel and reducing Israel's political support abroad. To many of us, however, any political gains achieved in this way cannot outweigh the loss of tens of thousands of lives, the immense human suffering and the devastation of much of Gaza.

The broader lesson extends far beyond this conflict. Successful nations are not built by blaming others alone. They are built by citizens who expect accountability from their own leaders and who are willing to question poor decisions, even when doing so is unpopular. Leaders should improve when they are challenged, and countries prosper when criticism is accepted rather than suppressed.

My political writing focuses on practical ways individuals can strengthen democracy, improve public policy, and become more effective citizens. I also write separately on Cancer and Medicine..

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about my essays, although I cannot engage in extended discussions. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

Every day, I think about how I can push back against President Trump and the authoritarian movement that supports him.

We only get to vote for federal office a few times during each election cycle. But every single day, we cast another vote with our wallets. Every purchase is a decision about whether to strengthen local businesses or further concentrate wealth and power in the hands of the superwealthy.

Whenever practical, I choose to support small businesses instead. Just this week, that meant eating at locally owned restaurants, shopping at independent grocery stores, using a private driver, banking at a local financial institution and avoiding credit cards for small purchases.

Until I have reason to believe otherwise, I assume that individuals and corporations with extreme wealth are more likely to pursue their own interests than the public good. Therefore, whenever I have a reasonable alternative, I choose not to support them financially.

In the video above, former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich explains how excessive CEO compensation has become normalized. That is another reason I avoid national chains whenever I can, since their CEOs have exorbitant pay. More money flowing to CEOs and senior executives means less for employees, higher prices for consumers and greater economic inequality. I do not believe that is healthy for our economy or our society.

I also believe the Republican Party has been the principal political force behind policies that have widened the gap between the wealthy and everyone else. Too often, Republican elected officials govern as though only the superwealthy are their constituents, regardless of the rhetoric they use during campaigns.

My goal is not simply to complain about what is happening. My goal is to make the world a little better through my own actions. Talking is easy. Living by our principles, even in small, everyday ways, is what truly matters.

One of my favorite sayings comes from Pirkei Avot: “You are not required to finish the task, but neither are you free to ignore it.”

None of us can solve our nation’s problems alone. But every one of us can do something. Every purchase, every vote and every act of civic engagement helps shape the kind of society we leave behind.

So I have one simple question:

What are you doing?

My political blog focuses on what you can or should do to make the world a better place and yourself a better person. I have another blog on Cancer and Medicine.

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about the blog’s content, but I cannot have a long conversation. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

My personal mission for the Middle East is to help bring about a prosperous Palestinian state living peacefully alongside Israel. Achieving that goal would address many of the region's longstanding challenges while dramatically improving the lives of both Palestinians and Israelis, as well as others in the region.

It appears that many Arab nations in the region share this long term objective.

But I do not want to simply talk about it. I want to do something, even if only in a small way, to help move us in that direction.

Meaningful nation building begins with ideas. Before questions of security or foreign policy can be resolved, people need to think seriously about what a successful Palestinian state should look like. Should it have a written Constitution? What form of government would best serve its citizens? What ministries and public institutions would be needed? How should it promote education, economic development, science, the arts and the rule of law?

To encourage that conversation, I established, with the assistance of my staff at PathologyOutlines.com, a scholarship competition for graduating U.S. high school seniors planning to attend college. Applicants were asked to write an essay describing their vision for building a prosperous Palestinian state. The submission deadline has now passed, and we are reviewing the entries. Here are a few statistics:

• 93 essays were submitted from students in 25 states.

• The largest numbers of entries came from Illinois (18, all from Chicago), Texas (12) and California (10).

• Although the competition was open to all students, we believed Palestinian American students might have a particular interest in the topic. We therefore made special efforts to reach high school counselors in Dearborn, Michigan, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. One counselor in Chicago spent an hour discussing the project with me and clearly inspired many students to participate.

• Despite those additional outreach efforts, we received only four applications from Michigan and three from New York.

Most of the essays were thoughtful, sophisticated and exceptionally well written, giving me genuine hope for the future. These young men and women represent the next generation of American leaders. With encouragement and opportunity, some of them may one day help transform these ideas into reality.

Here are a few representative excerpts from the essays:

• Most people look at nation-building through the lens of charity or performative politics. I look at it as an engineering and capital allocation problem. Assuming a baseline of regional peace, a prosperous Palestine cannot be built on a foundation of NGO dependency or endless foreign aid. Charity is necessary for immediate relief, but it is a fragile long-term economic strategy. True prosperity requires structural leverage. It requires treating the development of the nation like the scaling of a massive enterprise, focusing strictly on hard infrastructure, economic durability, and aligned incentives.

• Cultural institutions are the heart of national identity. Palestinian culture has survived through storytelling, music, embroidery, poetry, and traditions passed down through families. These expressions deserve formal spaces where they can be preserved and expanded. Museums, cultural centers, and arts programs could help document Palestinian history and celebrate the creativity of younger generations. These places would not only protect heritage but also give people a sense of belonging. Cultural centers could host festivals, workshops, and exhibitions that bring together different communities, including those from the diaspora. They could help Palestinians see themselves as part of a shared story, which is essential for unity. A strong cultural sector encourages pride, resilience, and connection, all of which are necessary for a thriving nation.

• A prosperous Palestine must be built on three foundational pillars: accountable governance, sustainable economic opportunity, and inclusive civic institutions. While the path forward is shaped by a commitment to peaceful coexistence in the region, long-term stability will depend on internal resilience, establishing systems that promote trust, opportunity, and shared prosperity for all Palestinians. At the core of this vision is a modern, transparent government structured around democratic principles and the rule of law. A Palestinian constitution should clearly define the separation of powers between executive, legislative, and judicial branches, ensuring checks and balances that prevent corruption and promote accountability. Independent courts, free elections, and protections for civil liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, and press, would not only build public trust but also attract international partnerships and investment. Governance must also emphasize decentralization, empowering local municipalities to address community-specific needs effectively while maintaining national unity.

We are busy right now finalizing our Detroit College Promise scholarships but will then finalize this one and discuss the results.

My political blog focuses on what you can or should do to make the world a better place and yourself a better person. I have another blog on Cancer and Medicine.

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about the blog’s content, but I cannot have a long conversation. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.

If we want a healthier democracy and a stronger economy, we need to stop concentrating so much of our spending in the hands of the billionaires who wield enormous economic and political influence. Every dollar we spend is also a vote for the kind of society we want to create.

Whenever possible, choose a small or locally owned business first. It may be a little less convenient or cost a bit more, but your purchase helps strengthen your community instead of further concentrating wealth and power. Supporting local businesses also keeps more money circulating in local economies and reduces our dependence on corporations whose influence contributes to problems such as corruption, rising inequality, attacks on medical research and policies that many Americans oppose.

I am not perfect. If I cannot find what I need after trying a couple of other sources, I sometimes order from Amazon. But Amazon, Walmart and most national chains are never my first choice. That is one way I express my opposition to the growing concentration of economic and political power.

Some simple ways to do this include:

• Eat at locally owned restaurants instead of national chains.

• Shop at locally owned stores whenever possible.

• Use cash instead of credit cards when practical.

• Hire a local driver or transportation service instead of a ride sharing company.

• Bank with a local bank or credit union rather than a large national bank. This took some effort to set up, but I believe it was worthwhile.

• Consider using Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs or an independent local pharmacy. Although Mark Cuban is a billionaire, his pharmacy’s business model is built around transparent, low cost pricing rather than charging the highest prices the market will bear.

None of us can change the economy by ourselves. But collectively, millions of small decisions can make a meaningful difference. If enough people choose to support small businesses, we can help build communities that are more resilient, more competitive and less dependent on concentrated wealth.

Don't just kvetch (complain) about the world - take the time to do the right thing and make the world a better place.

For additional ideas, please read my earlier essay, How to support small businesses. If you have other suggestions, I would be glad to hear them.

My political blog focuses on what you can or should do to make the world a better place and yourself a better person. I have another blog on Cancer and Medicine.

I read all comments and try to respond briefly to questions about the blog’s content, but I cannot have a long conversation. I remove hate speech and personal attacks.

The index to my political essays since 5 November 2024 is here.

What you can do today:

• Pro-democracy activities for you

• How I boycott billionaire companies

• What blogs I follow

Follow me at:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nat-pernick-8967765

• Threads or Instagram: npernickmich

• BlueSky: natpernick.bsky.social

Email me at Nat@PathologyOutlines.com.

I also publish Notes at https://substack.com/note. Subscribers will automatically see my notes.