More than 100 years ago H.G. Wells observed that “Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.” Wells was stacking the deck in that binary choice, because no one in their right mind would choose ‘catastrophe‘ over education. That would be unthinkable, particularly just after the end of World War I. 

Wells wrote more than 50 novels, including “The War of the Worlds,” as well as short stories, history and other nonfiction, an autobiography, and social commentary.  Little read today, Wells is best known for that one line, which supporters of public education cite time and again. 

How the tables have turned!  In 2025, education is not one of the binary choices.  Instead, we seem to be in a race between the burgeoning fascism of the Trump Presidency and catastrophe.  And, given that binary choice, it appears that ‘catastrophe’ is now the good guy in the equation, the potential savior of our Democratic Republic.  In other words, we should be rooting for catastrophes–note the plural, because just one castatrophe won’t do it.  We need a critical mass of awful stuff, sufficient to serve as a wake-up call for Americans, so that we are motivated to take action.

That’s how quickly Trump has upended American politics and governance.  The entire Republican party has abdicated its responsibilities, and a surprisingly large percentage of American adults now seem to be pleased that Trump and Elon Musk are ‘draining the swamp’ and ‘driving out the deep state.’   They’re happy now, but how long will that last?

Because Trump-caused catastrophes loom….and some have already arrived. Here’s a partial list: Delayed or missing social security checks, diminished veterans’ medical care, rising prices of food and consumer goods as the impact of tariffs becomes real, actual food shortages, a tanking stock market that bites into retirement security, rising interest rates, cuts in services for children with disabilities, the closing down of museums and libraries, increased financial pressure on farmers, a growing measles epidemic and perhaps bird flu as well, no FEMA help when natural disasters strike, diminished American prestige abroad (with China and others filling the vacuum), weaker relationships with close allies, including our neighbors Canada and Mexico, collapse in consumer confidence, and rising unemployment. 

H.G. Wells’ next two sentences are worth your attention: “Let us learn the truth and spread it as far and wide as our circumstances allow. For the truth is the greatest weapon we have.”

I hope you are making plans to participate at a Hands Off! Protest on Saturday, April 5th!