I upgraded to a paid subscription just so I could tell Adam, Michael, and my fellow readers how much this piece resonates with me. This:
“Trump didn’t take the idea of America from me. He took the belief that many of my fellow Americans still care about the idea.” I look at my fellow citizens differently now, wondering if they voted for Trump, if they never really got what American exceptionalism was all about; wondering how naive I’ve been for more than 70 years. Reality is a better place to live, I guess, but part of me is deeply saddened by knowing how rose-colored my glasses were.
This is exactly my problem. I am so disillusioned with America right now, and not because of Trump. After all, he's just one person, and if nobody supported him he'd wield no power. It's because we, the American people, voluntarily twice put him into the highest and most powerful position in the nation. And the second time, we knew what he was, we knew what he intended to do because he told us, we knew he was a convicted felon and fascist, we knew he simply wasn't fit to be president--and we just didn't care. It wasn't Biden's fault, it wasn't Kamela Harris's fault, it wasn't the extreme left wing of the Democratic Party's fault; it was our fault. And now, Trump's administration, the Congress, and the courts are filled with people who either agree with him or have sold their souls and ride along with him to maintain their own positions--again, not caring about what that will do to our country. How can you not lose faith in such people? We've been so privileged to live in such a successful democracy, and all my life I believed it was successful precisely because of the American people. And now we see that for 51 percent of them, the erosion of our democratic way of life just doesn't matter. I haven't given up by any means and I know there are many who feel as I do, but my confidence in my fellow citizens is as severely damaged as it could possibly be and more than it ever has been in my seventy years of life.
Paul, I’m glad to know I’m not alone in feeling unmoored from what I always believed was true about my fellow citizens. I’m a former history teacher and I know that the authoritarian element has always been a part of our society. What’s deeply disappointed me is how many Americans just don’t seem to care.
Exactly right. It's mind numbing. For a lot of people until it affects THEM personally, they remain aloof. I will never understand this thinking. And it frustrates me to no end.
Mari, exactly! I live amongst non-nasty Trump voters—affluent business/corporate types—who seem to just be oblivious to suffering until it’s someone they actually know. Then they’ll be glad to lend a hand. Their circle of empathy is just seems very small.
I too am glad I’m not alone. I am trying to be hopeful that the tide will turn although I know in my life I might not see America as it was as I have grown up. I strongly think I grew up in the BEST OF TIMES OVER THE LAST 80+ years. Keep the faith folks!
Paul - also Heidi - I don't think I have read two comments that put more accurately into words what grieves me right now. The lump of grief / anger was there but I couldn't articulate it. This is a huge help ... and Adam, thank you for giving Michael Wood the platform. We'd all like to hear more from him! Brilliant piece.
Yes Lourine, I share your grief. I read Michael’s words and began to cry, I grieve for the country that I love and lived in for 80 years. We were not perfect, but as always, a work in progress. Thank you Adam for a chance to read Michael’s words.
Michael, we have not given up, I’ve been to two protests in the Florida heat, and met people that feel the same. I donate what I can and will do what ever I can. I missed a protest Saturday, just one of those 80 year old days. However, God willing will be at the next. I can’t give in to the anger, fear and heartbreak that lives inside me on a daily bases.
Totally agree Paul. I’ve often wondered are all these disillusioned people always been living amongst us, just waiting for the right time to show their true colors? Or have they traded their compassion for bitterness? Mary Trump says that the orange man-baby has given permission for the worst of humanity to become the norm.
Hi Joan! I certainly understand the feeling, but I do not actually believe that "the worst of humanity" is becoming the norm. I think most Americans are feeling overwhelmed by this situation, even as they struggle with life's many difficulties. It will be our voices that assure people that this is NOT normal, and we must continue to speak out. This is not partisan, but a moral responsibility.
I agree with you, David that it is imperative to continue to speak out and against this regime’s horrific actions. I continue to do so. I especially agree with your last statement that it’s about moral responsibility rather than partisanship. But we’ve failed somewhere as a nation on making sure we passed on the belief of moral responsibility to the generations coming behind us.
Well said! Thank you for expressing what so many of us think and feel. I've noticed my lack of interest in what were friendships that have been tainted by MAGA leanings. I've questioned myself about that. Your post explains my feelings exactly. What's happening speaks to core values, and when people do not share core values, it's challenging to maintain a friendship.
Brilliantly said Paul and Heidi!!! We cannot give up hope! We need to keep fighting for our democracy! Keep protesting peacefully, sign petitions, call or write our senators and representatives, write postcards to get people to vote in the midterms. I pray we can take over the House and the Senate next year. We need to impeach trump, his regime and the 6 on the Supreme Court.
Have you heard of David Hogg? He has a movement called "LEADERS WE DESERVE" which I support 100%. He is looking for younger people to run for city, state and federal positions in government. He is looking to primary the seat warmers who like the status quo, they are not fighting against trump and his regime. We need more people like AOC, Jasmine Crockett, The Squad who are willing to fight for we the people!
Like you, I look and wonder. Anytime a rude driver honks or impatiently scurries, I think that driver must have voted for DJT. When in public situations and rudeness is witnessed, I generalize about who they must have voted for. I’m biased…rudeness seems to be the DJT followers culture.
I do and think exactly as you said. I know most of neighbors and friends voted for him. But the cruelty they laugh at and celebrate. I can’t help but to call them MAGGOTS. I know there are some who don’t completely support him. But I can’t stomach them calling themselves Christian. They are hypocrites one and all.
At the 7 protests I’ve been to — all peaceful, mind you — the Trumpies drive by and yell obscenities and give us the middle finger. At the last one, one young man yelled, “Trump forever!”
If you concluded from my comment that I’m rude to those with a different view, that’s not me. I’m not rude. I listen and as appropriate do reflective listening. I do, however, see rude behaviors often among those with MAGA symbols. I’m neither blue nor red. I think. I look for humanity to offer a hand up, kindness, to others sharing this planet. I’m familiar with history, democracy, constitution, law. I care as do you.
Beautifully said, Heidi. And so glad you are a paid subscriber now. Adam is most grateful for the support (he thanks us all the time! ☺️) and it is money well spent.
You will be able to see his videos now, too. They're great. You really get to see who he is...kinda get to know him all the better!
Yes Heidi, I do the same thing. I dread going out anymore and being anywhere there are people; my thinking about everyone is so jaded now. I was always an optimistic person, and believed in giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Not anymore. It makes me very sad to be like this now, but I can't help it. I don't know this country anymore.
Dear Heidi: I don’t believe you were naïve. The United States wasn't always like this. It was exceptional, and I think the roots of its exceptionalism can be restored, and the barriers to liberal democracy can be overcome. This is the worst crisis of all, but in its glorious past, the country has endured terrible crises that could have toppled a weaker nation. The spirit of 1776 remains alive. I believe this is the message of Adam and Sofia Kinzinger, and I think they are right. I believe you possess such a spirit.
Manuel, i hope you are right. I’m a retired history teacher and I know the authoritarian urge is always there in our country and always has been. It seems like in the past when the authoritarians have been ascendant, usually some crisis has emerged to overcome them—like Pearl Harbor drowned out the American Nazi supporters. What worries me is the reach and the ceaseless drumbeat of Fox News and other right-wing media. I don’t think we’ve ever had that kind of brainwashing machine to face before and it worries me.
Dear Heidi, you are right—there has always been a vein of authoritarianism in the United States, but the same has been true in all other countries. However, what happened in Germany and Russia in the 1930s did not occur in the United States. There have always been people like you, as well as many others we can find here on Substack and elsewhere, who have turned the tide and are working to bring back the principles of the Founding Fathers to shine. Washington warned against the division that is destroying the country. His wisdom can be found in his Farewell Address, which Alexander Hamilton and James Madison drafted for him. In this address, Washington chose divisiveness as the most important danger to the country.
“Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize.“
What Washington identified as the main threat—division turning into hatred—is what is destroying the country. For the nation to survive, unity must be achieved—not through one party, but among citizens of all parties who love the country inherited from the Founding Fathers.
well said. I feel the same way. But the way I look at it is, they never really understood what the idea of America is. It's the idea that we are unique in that we are based on the idea that every person no matter who they are or where they come from can be a part of this experiment. It doesn't matter what culture, sex, race or religion you are. No other country is based on that idea. Now of course we have certainly not always lived up to that but we have always worked toward that and have made a lot of progress. I think what is happening now is that there is a group that has never really liked the idea of diversity and acceptance and just want their group to be the top dogs. They were ok with allowing others in until they realize they are not automatically the top anymore.
* I would also add that there are certain groups who have known this about many Americans because they have experienced it- African-Americans. Many will say to you- welcome to my world. The civil rights movement helped and Obama certainly made it even more possible for them to advance higher in college and in positions of power and home ownership. That scared a lot of people when they realized now they had to compete for the better jobs and better schools.
Diane 1, I agree on both counts. What you said about America’s unique place in the world—a nation founded on an idea, not on centuries of blood and soil—is exactly what I told my 8th graders as we began our year of American history. I also told them that this unique position makes America a hard thing to do, that we have to work at it, but the effort is worth it. Some of them actually heard me, I think.
I twice read this and thinking as I’m reading about what I would write in comments. You took the words right out of my mouth.
I’m on vacation in London. Last night my daughter(25) and me were talking to our bartender. ( he was uneasy to speak at first ) once he felt comfortable he said I looked up to America growing up.
Then he proceeded to say, we don’t look up to your country anymore. They can’t understand how this man was elected. I said half of us can’t either.
I will tell you I listen to my maga people that live around me and they think he is doing a good job. Although a few independents are slowly changing. Scary!!!!
Can so relate to your comments. There have been times that I have been so angry with our family and friends that still support Trump. Then I came upon an essay written by Dorothy Thompson entitled Who Goes Nazi. It was published by Harper’s Magazine in August 1941. It was republished by Harper’s in 2017 because the editors thought her insights remained highly relevant 80 years later. Dorothy was a foreign correspondent in the 1920s and ‘30s. She was the first to interview Hitler in 1931. She was married to Sinclair Lewis author of It Can’t Happen Here. Needless to say, she understood fascism. In her essay, she summed up those most likely to follow fascism:
Thompson concludes that individuals most likely to go Nazi are those who are ruthless and cerebral, are embittered by their circumstances, are easily deceived, and/or would opportunistically seek to be close to power if Nazism was ascendant, summarizing that "the frustrated and humiliated intellectual, the rich and scared speculator, the spoiled son, the labor tyrant, the fellow who has achieved success by smelling out the wind of success—they would all go Nazi in a crisis."[1]
This is a great piece and so many of the comments are thoughts I share; our belief in our fellow Americans has been called into question if not shattered. I have always thought the good in Americans outweighed the bad. November 4th , 2024 stunned that thought out of my head. That feeling is more underscored with each passing day as he still receives support while eroding every aspect of America’s greatness. Some days that is overwhelming but MOST days I still believe that we will fight his imbecilic tyranny, move past this dark stain and moving forward will implement every safeguard to insure this can never happen again.
A beautiful piece by Michael Wood. I don't think this will end up being a blip, but rather I see where we are as being more like a very serious illness, maybe something a kin to cancer or an infection that has multiple sources and elements. I think of my very rich neighbors who support trump, as they like their tax breaks and I don't think patriotism is something they care about, they are very lazy thinkers. Moving them off their attachment to the myth that trump will help them do better (how much $ do you need to finally have enough?) than they were already doing under Biden, will be a different operation from excising the weird cult behavior of his non-wealthy base. I am heartened by the millions of us who go in the streets in big cities and small towns and say NO KINGS, or SAVE THE CONSTITUTION and so on. And I am also heartened by the fact that I all sorts of people I might have disagreed with about policy in the past, are truly my comrades in arms, are my brothers and sisters in this awful fight for our republic, for our democracy, for our American goodness. Country over party, indeed.
Jane, I see the exact same lazy thinking in my affluent Houston suburb. They’re part of a tribe, and would never risk being excommunicated for speaking out against a Republican Party candidate. The cognitive dissonance they’d experience if they really grappled with the difference in what they believe, and what the Republican Party has become today, is too much. I cling to the hope that when they’re all alone in the voting booth they’ll face reality. They will never publicly admit it though.
Republicans in Congress and the Senate…Conservative justices on the Supreme Court… send this article to them. They’re the ones with the power to change things and they’re all corrupt, cowardly, or both. Adam knows these people; I’m sure he’s got so many stories of them saying one thing off the record and doing Trump’s bidding in public. Equally shameful are the helpless hapless Democrats who still seem to be caught up in the “we go high” paradigm. There’s a special place in Hell for all of these people.
I don't think you are criticizing enough the lobbyists and billionaires who bought our government, both parties, so they could hollow it out and make it a shell of itself. Trump is the perfect president for these people. Because in my 71 years and a career of study and teaching students about the USA he is the most hollowed out, shell of a president in the history of this democratic republic.
Thank you Adam and Michael. So well said. I’m not a politician, but I do speak up in my retired circles, trying to provoke thought and concern, even when it feels so very lonely. It’s good to know I’m not alone.
I agree! A concerted, vigorous effort is what is necessary. The question is who among us is tough enough to combat this vile excuse of an Administration? Watching fearless women this afternoon speak of the heinous sexual abuse committed by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell was the first time I felt a powerful group was taking on the President. Simultaneously, he was dismissing the Epstein case as a Democratic hoax. Not surprisingly it’s women fighting back. They are speaking the truth while all he does is lie. He dismisses anyone who dares to oppose him. Martial law will be his final answer to those who rise up against him. I dream of the days before I heard the name Donald Trump or the names of any of his disgusting cohorts.
Oh my, Michael Wood put into words my thoughts. He stated “ Trump didn’t take the idea of America from me. He took the belief that many of my fellow Americans still care about the idea.”
That’s the “inconvenient truth.” I wonder if the citizenry has become apathetic and self focused to the extent they no longer care about the idea of America. May constitution and democracy survive!
My worry, too, Marty. For the white Boomer generation I wonder if we just had it too easy in the 50s and early 60s and just never developed a moral spine.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and almost disassociated from what’s going on because Trump has a total disregard for our country and its constitution. But I don’t believe all is lost. I watch the protests on television and on social media and I’m so heartened by the outpouring of support that our constitution has generated. People care about this country. They care about our constitution. It’s overwhelming at times because the attacks on everything we grew up with are almost nonstop!Everything that we grew up trusting and believing in is being sliced with samurai swords right in front of us. And don’t get me started on RFK Jr. who is dismantling our healthcare and doing his best to make vaccines a thing of the past! The man is a lunatic and needs to be removed. Somehow. These are dark days for sure, but as a country, we have faced dark days before. Granted, most of them are in the history books, so we see them only in our classrooms, or if we read, a history book. Our history is happening now! And as we rise to face and fight this fascist regime, we are living the life and breath of this country in our souls. The same blood that pulsated in the patriots of our early nation, pulse through our veins too, and we’re not giving up, we are not rolling over, we are here for the long haul and in my heart of hearts I know we will win!
I feel what this man is saying. In fact, the little boy in me who earnestly put his hand over my heart and pledged allegiance to the flag every morning in elementary school knows what this man is saying. That said, today I saw a thing happen which I thought impossible. You'll probably think I'm being sarcastic but I'm most totally not. Today I watched Marjorie Taylor Greene get up in front of the Epstein victims and call for unity in seeking accountability for the "monsters" who hurt these girls. She sounded like a real human being. She was genuine and passionate and compassionate. Watching that woman rise above herself and do the right thing in a very big and public way gave me hope. The American heart is not dead. Hell, Nancy Mace, yes THAT Nancy Mace ran out of the hearing room crying. The American heart is not dead. Mark my words.
Steve, you are right. Those are hopeful signs. It’s horrible to say, but maybe, maybe, this is the crisis event that has stopped American authoritarians before. Maybe this is our version of Joseph Welch saying “have you no sense of decency, sir?” to Joe McCarthy.
I will be impressed when MTG and Mace actually come out against any MAGA complicity in these crimes. For now i suspect this is all just part of her Qanon cult agenda. Sorry, but i remain skeptical of that self promoting waste of a legislative seat.
Trust her? Oh hell no. Still, whatever her motives, God knows she doesn't march to the same drummer as normal folk, she really looked like a problem for Trump in that news conference. That's enough to turn the corners of my mouth up a little.
Project 2025 was published in 2023. Their intentions, coalesced since at least the 60s, were clear and obvious. They wanted to take over our government, end democracy and install a theocratic republic. Did the Dems pay attention? Did they say out loud what was going on behind the scenes? Did either Harris or Walz tell the truth about the Heritage Society, the Claremont Society or the other groups behind Project 2025? No. Not even a little. Then, as now, the Dems were always so afraid, of polls, of the evangelicals, of billionaires. It is still true that they don’t really stand behind Sanders, Warren, Pritchett or Newsom. Being politically correct is useless if you are afraid to stand up for DEI, and they were unwilling what kind of leadership is that? The few that would lead like Senator Kinzinger stand alone.
I think Harris and Walz both called out the dangers and likelihood of Trump's initiating Project 2025. It wasn't taken as serious by many of us, mostly because it seemed unbelievable that even Trump would go so low. Because of that, they were seen as alarmists, using it to try to create talking points. They may not have called out those behind it, but that wasn't a secret. Again, Trump's dismissal made them look foolish and conspiratorial to many. We should have listened better and believed them! It still is almost too wild to imagine that we are in the midst of this mess.
Current Democratic leadership is lacking in fighting against this autocracy and still trying to play by the rules, but there are cracks. I think that we will continue to see more fighters like Newsom, Pritzker, Jasmine Crockett and Melissa Stansbury, start speaking out with power and passion.
Yesterday was the 80th anniversary of official V-J Day, when the Emperor of Japan formally surrendered to General Douglas MacArthur on board the USS Missouri and World War II was over — although you can find barely a peep about in the daily authoritarian barrage we’ve all been subject to lately.
Nearly two generations have passed since then. In 1945, countless millions thought the greatest evil the world had ever known was vanquished for good. Yet 80 years later, ghosts from specters long thought gone stir from their graves. Perhaps it is up to us to do what our grandparents had to. Perhaps the next great assault against the world’s democracies has already begun — as it did before — from within. Will we possess both the courage and smarts to win the battle again?
This article brought tears to my eyes - partly because of the truth in those words. But most of my sadness is from me not paying attention to the actions over the past decade that have resulted in today's America. Thank you for sharing!
I upgraded to a paid subscription just so I could tell Adam, Michael, and my fellow readers how much this piece resonates with me. This:
“Trump didn’t take the idea of America from me. He took the belief that many of my fellow Americans still care about the idea.” I look at my fellow citizens differently now, wondering if they voted for Trump, if they never really got what American exceptionalism was all about; wondering how naive I’ve been for more than 70 years. Reality is a better place to live, I guess, but part of me is deeply saddened by knowing how rose-colored my glasses were.
This is exactly my problem. I am so disillusioned with America right now, and not because of Trump. After all, he's just one person, and if nobody supported him he'd wield no power. It's because we, the American people, voluntarily twice put him into the highest and most powerful position in the nation. And the second time, we knew what he was, we knew what he intended to do because he told us, we knew he was a convicted felon and fascist, we knew he simply wasn't fit to be president--and we just didn't care. It wasn't Biden's fault, it wasn't Kamela Harris's fault, it wasn't the extreme left wing of the Democratic Party's fault; it was our fault. And now, Trump's administration, the Congress, and the courts are filled with people who either agree with him or have sold their souls and ride along with him to maintain their own positions--again, not caring about what that will do to our country. How can you not lose faith in such people? We've been so privileged to live in such a successful democracy, and all my life I believed it was successful precisely because of the American people. And now we see that for 51 percent of them, the erosion of our democratic way of life just doesn't matter. I haven't given up by any means and I know there are many who feel as I do, but my confidence in my fellow citizens is as severely damaged as it could possibly be and more than it ever has been in my seventy years of life.
Paul, I’m glad to know I’m not alone in feeling unmoored from what I always believed was true about my fellow citizens. I’m a former history teacher and I know that the authoritarian element has always been a part of our society. What’s deeply disappointed me is how many Americans just don’t seem to care.
Exactly right. It's mind numbing. For a lot of people until it affects THEM personally, they remain aloof. I will never understand this thinking. And it frustrates me to no end.
Mari, exactly! I live amongst non-nasty Trump voters—affluent business/corporate types—who seem to just be oblivious to suffering until it’s someone they actually know. Then they’ll be glad to lend a hand. Their circle of empathy is just seems very small.
My frustrated soul sistah you are, you are! ;-)
And, may I add, so very many don’t even know how the government is supposed to work AND do not care as a result.
I too am glad I’m not alone. I am trying to be hopeful that the tide will turn although I know in my life I might not see America as it was as I have grown up. I strongly think I grew up in the BEST OF TIMES OVER THE LAST 80+ years. Keep the faith folks!
I agree. But we must accept that many are being “brainwashed!”
Substack posts that agree with me help me feel LESS impotent and alone!
Paul - also Heidi - I don't think I have read two comments that put more accurately into words what grieves me right now. The lump of grief / anger was there but I couldn't articulate it. This is a huge help ... and Adam, thank you for giving Michael Wood the platform. We'd all like to hear more from him! Brilliant piece.
Yes Lourine, I share your grief. I read Michael’s words and began to cry, I grieve for the country that I love and lived in for 80 years. We were not perfect, but as always, a work in progress. Thank you Adam for a chance to read Michael’s words.
Michael, we have not given up, I’ve been to two protests in the Florida heat, and met people that feel the same. I donate what I can and will do what ever I can. I missed a protest Saturday, just one of those 80 year old days. However, God willing will be at the next. I can’t give in to the anger, fear and heartbreak that lives inside me on a daily bases.
Totally agree Paul. I’ve often wondered are all these disillusioned people always been living amongst us, just waiting for the right time to show their true colors? Or have they traded their compassion for bitterness? Mary Trump says that the orange man-baby has given permission for the worst of humanity to become the norm.
Hi Joan! I certainly understand the feeling, but I do not actually believe that "the worst of humanity" is becoming the norm. I think most Americans are feeling overwhelmed by this situation, even as they struggle with life's many difficulties. It will be our voices that assure people that this is NOT normal, and we must continue to speak out. This is not partisan, but a moral responsibility.
I agree with you, David that it is imperative to continue to speak out and against this regime’s horrific actions. I continue to do so. I especially agree with your last statement that it’s about moral responsibility rather than partisanship. But we’ve failed somewhere as a nation on making sure we passed on the belief of moral responsibility to the generations coming behind us.
Well said! Thank you for expressing what so many of us think and feel. I've noticed my lack of interest in what were friendships that have been tainted by MAGA leanings. I've questioned myself about that. Your post explains my feelings exactly. What's happening speaks to core values, and when people do not share core values, it's challenging to maintain a friendship.
Brilliantly said Paul and Heidi!!! We cannot give up hope! We need to keep fighting for our democracy! Keep protesting peacefully, sign petitions, call or write our senators and representatives, write postcards to get people to vote in the midterms. I pray we can take over the House and the Senate next year. We need to impeach trump, his regime and the 6 on the Supreme Court.
Have you heard of David Hogg? He has a movement called "LEADERS WE DESERVE" which I support 100%. He is looking for younger people to run for city, state and federal positions in government. He is looking to primary the seat warmers who like the status quo, they are not fighting against trump and his regime. We need more people like AOC, Jasmine Crockett, The Squad who are willing to fight for we the people!
I remember when I thought we were exceptional because we had the Supreme Court to make things right
I too felt that way. Not so much anymore. Lotta fixin’ is needed and not sure it will be able to be done.
Certainly not in my life time and so many of us of age. Heartbreaking.
Yes, heartbreaking
Like you, I look and wonder. Anytime a rude driver honks or impatiently scurries, I think that driver must have voted for DJT. When in public situations and rudeness is witnessed, I generalize about who they must have voted for. I’m biased…rudeness seems to be the DJT followers culture.
I do and think exactly as you said. I know most of neighbors and friends voted for him. But the cruelty they laugh at and celebrate. I can’t help but to call them MAGGOTS. I know there are some who don’t completely support him. But I can’t stomach them calling themselves Christian. They are hypocrites one and all.
Agree. Sad time. Grieving a country I thought I knew but with many unlike I thought I knew.
I also worry about something happening when one of them blows a gasket and verbally lashed out at others for no good reason.
Marty, I do the same. Not who or how I want to be, but there we are.
Agree!
At the 7 protests I’ve been to — all peaceful, mind you — the Trumpies drive by and yell obscenities and give us the middle finger. At the last one, one young man yelled, “Trump forever!”
If that doesn’t make your hair stand on end…
If you concluded from my comment that I’m rude to those with a different view, that’s not me. I’m not rude. I listen and as appropriate do reflective listening. I do, however, see rude behaviors often among those with MAGA symbols. I’m neither blue nor red. I think. I look for humanity to offer a hand up, kindness, to others sharing this planet. I’m familiar with history, democracy, constitution, law. I care as do you.
You are not alone.
Beautifully said, Heidi. And so glad you are a paid subscriber now. Adam is most grateful for the support (he thanks us all the time! ☺️) and it is money well spent.
You will be able to see his videos now, too. They're great. You really get to see who he is...kinda get to know him all the better!
Welcome! 💕
Thanks, Mari!
Yes Heidi, I do the same thing. I dread going out anymore and being anywhere there are people; my thinking about everyone is so jaded now. I was always an optimistic person, and believed in giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. Not anymore. It makes me very sad to be like this now, but I can't help it. I don't know this country anymore.
Dear Heidi: I don’t believe you were naïve. The United States wasn't always like this. It was exceptional, and I think the roots of its exceptionalism can be restored, and the barriers to liberal democracy can be overcome. This is the worst crisis of all, but in its glorious past, the country has endured terrible crises that could have toppled a weaker nation. The spirit of 1776 remains alive. I believe this is the message of Adam and Sofia Kinzinger, and I think they are right. I believe you possess such a spirit.
Manuel, i hope you are right. I’m a retired history teacher and I know the authoritarian urge is always there in our country and always has been. It seems like in the past when the authoritarians have been ascendant, usually some crisis has emerged to overcome them—like Pearl Harbor drowned out the American Nazi supporters. What worries me is the reach and the ceaseless drumbeat of Fox News and other right-wing media. I don’t think we’ve ever had that kind of brainwashing machine to face before and it worries me.
Dear Heidi, you are right—there has always been a vein of authoritarianism in the United States, but the same has been true in all other countries. However, what happened in Germany and Russia in the 1930s did not occur in the United States. There have always been people like you, as well as many others we can find here on Substack and elsewhere, who have turned the tide and are working to bring back the principles of the Founding Fathers to shine. Washington warned against the division that is destroying the country. His wisdom can be found in his Farewell Address, which Alexander Hamilton and James Madison drafted for him. In this address, Washington chose divisiveness as the most important danger to the country.
“Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the attachment. The unity of government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you. It is justly so, for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize.“
What Washington identified as the main threat—division turning into hatred—is what is destroying the country. For the nation to survive, unity must be achieved—not through one party, but among citizens of all parties who love the country inherited from the Founding Fathers.
I am right there with you in my mid 70's
Me too.
well said. I feel the same way. But the way I look at it is, they never really understood what the idea of America is. It's the idea that we are unique in that we are based on the idea that every person no matter who they are or where they come from can be a part of this experiment. It doesn't matter what culture, sex, race or religion you are. No other country is based on that idea. Now of course we have certainly not always lived up to that but we have always worked toward that and have made a lot of progress. I think what is happening now is that there is a group that has never really liked the idea of diversity and acceptance and just want their group to be the top dogs. They were ok with allowing others in until they realize they are not automatically the top anymore.
* I would also add that there are certain groups who have known this about many Americans because they have experienced it- African-Americans. Many will say to you- welcome to my world. The civil rights movement helped and Obama certainly made it even more possible for them to advance higher in college and in positions of power and home ownership. That scared a lot of people when they realized now they had to compete for the better jobs and better schools.
Diane 1, I agree on both counts. What you said about America’s unique place in the world—a nation founded on an idea, not on centuries of blood and soil—is exactly what I told my 8th graders as we began our year of American history. I also told them that this unique position makes America a hard thing to do, that we have to work at it, but the effort is worth it. Some of them actually heard me, I think.
I twice read this and thinking as I’m reading about what I would write in comments. You took the words right out of my mouth.
I’m on vacation in London. Last night my daughter(25) and me were talking to our bartender. ( he was uneasy to speak at first ) once he felt comfortable he said I looked up to America growing up.
Then he proceeded to say, we don’t look up to your country anymore. They can’t understand how this man was elected. I said half of us can’t either.
I will tell you I listen to my maga people that live around me and they think he is doing a good job. Although a few independents are slowly changing. Scary!!!!
Can so relate to your comments. There have been times that I have been so angry with our family and friends that still support Trump. Then I came upon an essay written by Dorothy Thompson entitled Who Goes Nazi. It was published by Harper’s Magazine in August 1941. It was republished by Harper’s in 2017 because the editors thought her insights remained highly relevant 80 years later. Dorothy was a foreign correspondent in the 1920s and ‘30s. She was the first to interview Hitler in 1931. She was married to Sinclair Lewis author of It Can’t Happen Here. Needless to say, she understood fascism. In her essay, she summed up those most likely to follow fascism:
Thompson concludes that individuals most likely to go Nazi are those who are ruthless and cerebral, are embittered by their circumstances, are easily deceived, and/or would opportunistically seek to be close to power if Nazism was ascendant, summarizing that "the frustrated and humiliated intellectual, the rich and scared speculator, the spoiled son, the labor tyrant, the fellow who has achieved success by smelling out the wind of success—they would all go Nazi in a crisis."[1]
This is a great piece and so many of the comments are thoughts I share; our belief in our fellow Americans has been called into question if not shattered. I have always thought the good in Americans outweighed the bad. November 4th , 2024 stunned that thought out of my head. That feeling is more underscored with each passing day as he still receives support while eroding every aspect of America’s greatness. Some days that is overwhelming but MOST days I still believe that we will fight his imbecilic tyranny, move past this dark stain and moving forward will implement every safeguard to insure this can never happen again.
Agreed!
A beautiful piece by Michael Wood. I don't think this will end up being a blip, but rather I see where we are as being more like a very serious illness, maybe something a kin to cancer or an infection that has multiple sources and elements. I think of my very rich neighbors who support trump, as they like their tax breaks and I don't think patriotism is something they care about, they are very lazy thinkers. Moving them off their attachment to the myth that trump will help them do better (how much $ do you need to finally have enough?) than they were already doing under Biden, will be a different operation from excising the weird cult behavior of his non-wealthy base. I am heartened by the millions of us who go in the streets in big cities and small towns and say NO KINGS, or SAVE THE CONSTITUTION and so on. And I am also heartened by the fact that I all sorts of people I might have disagreed with about policy in the past, are truly my comrades in arms, are my brothers and sisters in this awful fight for our republic, for our democracy, for our American goodness. Country over party, indeed.
Jane, I see the exact same lazy thinking in my affluent Houston suburb. They’re part of a tribe, and would never risk being excommunicated for speaking out against a Republican Party candidate. The cognitive dissonance they’d experience if they really grappled with the difference in what they believe, and what the Republican Party has become today, is too much. I cling to the hope that when they’re all alone in the voting booth they’ll face reality. They will never publicly admit it though.
Republicans in Congress and the Senate…Conservative justices on the Supreme Court… send this article to them. They’re the ones with the power to change things and they’re all corrupt, cowardly, or both. Adam knows these people; I’m sure he’s got so many stories of them saying one thing off the record and doing Trump’s bidding in public. Equally shameful are the helpless hapless Democrats who still seem to be caught up in the “we go high” paradigm. There’s a special place in Hell for all of these people.
I don't think you are criticizing enough the lobbyists and billionaires who bought our government, both parties, so they could hollow it out and make it a shell of itself. Trump is the perfect president for these people. Because in my 71 years and a career of study and teaching students about the USA he is the most hollowed out, shell of a president in the history of this democratic republic.
Thank you Adam and Michael. So well said. I’m not a politician, but I do speak up in my retired circles, trying to provoke thought and concern, even when it feels so very lonely. It’s good to know I’m not alone.
I agree! A concerted, vigorous effort is what is necessary. The question is who among us is tough enough to combat this vile excuse of an Administration? Watching fearless women this afternoon speak of the heinous sexual abuse committed by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell was the first time I felt a powerful group was taking on the President. Simultaneously, he was dismissing the Epstein case as a Democratic hoax. Not surprisingly it’s women fighting back. They are speaking the truth while all he does is lie. He dismisses anyone who dares to oppose him. Martial law will be his final answer to those who rise up against him. I dream of the days before I heard the name Donald Trump or the names of any of his disgusting cohorts.
Fantastic stuff. Thanks for the spot on guest post, Adam. Wise words from your friend Michael.
Oh my, Michael Wood put into words my thoughts. He stated “ Trump didn’t take the idea of America from me. He took the belief that many of my fellow Americans still care about the idea.”
That’s the “inconvenient truth.” I wonder if the citizenry has become apathetic and self focused to the extent they no longer care about the idea of America. May constitution and democracy survive!
My worry, too, Marty. For the white Boomer generation I wonder if we just had it too easy in the 50s and early 60s and just never developed a moral spine.
I meant to say white male Boomers.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and almost disassociated from what’s going on because Trump has a total disregard for our country and its constitution. But I don’t believe all is lost. I watch the protests on television and on social media and I’m so heartened by the outpouring of support that our constitution has generated. People care about this country. They care about our constitution. It’s overwhelming at times because the attacks on everything we grew up with are almost nonstop!Everything that we grew up trusting and believing in is being sliced with samurai swords right in front of us. And don’t get me started on RFK Jr. who is dismantling our healthcare and doing his best to make vaccines a thing of the past! The man is a lunatic and needs to be removed. Somehow. These are dark days for sure, but as a country, we have faced dark days before. Granted, most of them are in the history books, so we see them only in our classrooms, or if we read, a history book. Our history is happening now! And as we rise to face and fight this fascist regime, we are living the life and breath of this country in our souls. The same blood that pulsated in the patriots of our early nation, pulse through our veins too, and we’re not giving up, we are not rolling over, we are here for the long haul and in my heart of hearts I know we will win!
Well said.
That was my first thought 👍🏻send this beautiful, inspirational motivating message to the supreme court . Never mind the others they’re toast.
A hopeful event today was the Epstein victims Capitol Hill press meeting. This women have real courage 🙏🏻
They, vaccines and the Chinese parade might create the perfect storm 🙏🏻God bless America. 🇺🇸
I feel what this man is saying. In fact, the little boy in me who earnestly put his hand over my heart and pledged allegiance to the flag every morning in elementary school knows what this man is saying. That said, today I saw a thing happen which I thought impossible. You'll probably think I'm being sarcastic but I'm most totally not. Today I watched Marjorie Taylor Greene get up in front of the Epstein victims and call for unity in seeking accountability for the "monsters" who hurt these girls. She sounded like a real human being. She was genuine and passionate and compassionate. Watching that woman rise above herself and do the right thing in a very big and public way gave me hope. The American heart is not dead. Hell, Nancy Mace, yes THAT Nancy Mace ran out of the hearing room crying. The American heart is not dead. Mark my words.
Steve, you are right. Those are hopeful signs. It’s horrible to say, but maybe, maybe, this is the crisis event that has stopped American authoritarians before. Maybe this is our version of Joseph Welch saying “have you no sense of decency, sir?” to Joe McCarthy.
One can certainly hope, Heidi. One can certainly hope.
I will be impressed when MTG and Mace actually come out against any MAGA complicity in these crimes. For now i suspect this is all just part of her Qanon cult agenda. Sorry, but i remain skeptical of that self promoting waste of a legislative seat.
Trust her? Oh hell no. Still, whatever her motives, God knows she doesn't march to the same drummer as normal folk, she really looked like a problem for Trump in that news conference. That's enough to turn the corners of my mouth up a little.
Michael sounds a lot like you, Adam. That's a huge compliment.
EXCELLENT article. Thanks very much
How do we who are pro democracy and active get information to his believers who are constantly fed propaganda via his facebook, X, Fox?
Catholic churches still conflicted - preaching abortion is as bad as how he’s treating immigrants. Key influenced population - latinos.
Good piece on a historical based plan for blue states to withhold their tax $ to fight fascism. Be interested in your thoughts.
Project 2025 was published in 2023. Their intentions, coalesced since at least the 60s, were clear and obvious. They wanted to take over our government, end democracy and install a theocratic republic. Did the Dems pay attention? Did they say out loud what was going on behind the scenes? Did either Harris or Walz tell the truth about the Heritage Society, the Claremont Society or the other groups behind Project 2025? No. Not even a little. Then, as now, the Dems were always so afraid, of polls, of the evangelicals, of billionaires. It is still true that they don’t really stand behind Sanders, Warren, Pritchett or Newsom. Being politically correct is useless if you are afraid to stand up for DEI, and they were unwilling what kind of leadership is that? The few that would lead like Senator Kinzinger stand alone.
I think Harris and Walz both called out the dangers and likelihood of Trump's initiating Project 2025. It wasn't taken as serious by many of us, mostly because it seemed unbelievable that even Trump would go so low. Because of that, they were seen as alarmists, using it to try to create talking points. They may not have called out those behind it, but that wasn't a secret. Again, Trump's dismissal made them look foolish and conspiratorial to many. We should have listened better and believed them! It still is almost too wild to imagine that we are in the midst of this mess.
Current Democratic leadership is lacking in fighting against this autocracy and still trying to play by the rules, but there are cracks. I think that we will continue to see more fighters like Newsom, Pritzker, Jasmine Crockett and Melissa Stansbury, start speaking out with power and passion.
Stupid auto-correct! I wrote Pritzker not Pritchett!!
Yesterday was the 80th anniversary of official V-J Day, when the Emperor of Japan formally surrendered to General Douglas MacArthur on board the USS Missouri and World War II was over — although you can find barely a peep about in the daily authoritarian barrage we’ve all been subject to lately.
Nearly two generations have passed since then. In 1945, countless millions thought the greatest evil the world had ever known was vanquished for good. Yet 80 years later, ghosts from specters long thought gone stir from their graves. Perhaps it is up to us to do what our grandparents had to. Perhaps the next great assault against the world’s democracies has already begun — as it did before — from within. Will we possess both the courage and smarts to win the battle again?
This article brought tears to my eyes - partly because of the truth in those words. But most of my sadness is from me not paying attention to the actions over the past decade that have resulted in today's America. Thank you for sharing!