Vent or Win, Choose Wisely

politics ain’t therapy — it’s triage

“I hate [politician on my side not doing what I want], they need to go!”

You can blame people you basically agree with, or you can work with the people available to try to work toward better.

The first feels good for maybe 5 minutes, then ruins improvement right now; the second has a chance to make things better.

Try to take your anger, your resentment, which I share, to those chiefly responsible for problems, and not to those nearest and ablest to help, even if not as flawless as we’d like.

“But David, we have to replace them with better people!”

Is that legally or politically possible in the next 2 hours? No? Then shut up.

When elections are in play, then make those choices; today, make today’s choices.

Breaking our hopes for harm reduction right now to vent is foolish, destructive and silly.

Focus on the goals, find how to channel your rage and distemper toward actually making things shift, not just blowing off steam while ruining the future.

Don’t just be angry, be strategically angry.

Anybody can become angry — that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way — that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.

- Aristotle

I share your frustration, but let’s not foil the people standing in a position to help us a little, even if not as much as we want and while they themselves are imperfect, when hours and minutes decide the fate of so many.

Politicians, of every type, seek and often find political solutions: in other words, they talk about things. Soundbites may be ineffectual, certainly less effective than you or I want them to be, but those are the tools politicians have: words.

We have words too, and we can use them to help ourselves and others, or to do the opposite. Let’s make things better.

© Copyright June 29, 2025, David August, all rights reserved davidaugust.com

David August is an award-winning actor, acting coach, writer, director, and producer. He plays a role in the movie Dependent’s Day, and after its theatrical run, it’s now out on Amazon (affiliate link). He has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC, on the TV show Ghost Town, and many others. His artwork has been used and featured by multiple writers, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, and others to express visually. Off-screen, he has worked at ad agencies, start-ups, production companies, and major studios, helping them tell stories their customers and clients adore. He has guest lectured at USC’s Marshall School of Business about the Internet.