"..they view Americans who are not white, straight, Christian evangelicals as “less than” or “other than” “real Americans.” Please don't forget the ladies! "They" have already made women second class citizens and irrelevant. I think there is a lot to be optimistic about mostly because women like me are so livid and we're turning our anger into determination and unifying action. We will win this war no matter how many battles starting with the Midterm elections we must fight to do it to regain our freedoms. We have defeated "Trump"; now we must defeat "Trumpism". We, the People of all colors, of all sexes, of all religions. ALL of us this time!
You are spot on. The following are my own observations on the dangers of White Christian Nationalism posted recently in our Nextdoor Comal County (TX) Democrats and Independents Group.
We have seen White Christian Nationalism before. This mythology has been evil and damaging each time it appears and remains so today. -
I have been considering for some time expressing my thoughts on this topic as a post in our group. I hope all realize I support everyone’s faith, and passionately held religious beliefs, whatever they may be. I also respect all those who hold or practice no faith. We have said in our group that all are welcome to express their views civilly and courteously. I hope all will afford me that same license for these thoughts.
I offer short definitions of Christian Nationalism, Religious Nationalism, and Nationalism to frame these thoughts. The following are adapted from Wikipedia:
> Christian Nationalism is Christianity-affiliated religious nationalism.
> Religious nationalism is the relationship of nationalism to a particular religious belief, dogma, or affiliation. This relationship can be broken down into two aspects: the politicization of religion and the influence of religion on politics.
> Nationalism is the identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, most often to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
And in this, we see the chief problem with Christian Nationalism. Linking Christianity to Nationalism elevates the status of one religion, Christianity, and one nation, America, to a position of superiority over all others. Hence, all others are considered inferior and to be subordinated to a Christian America, and most often a white Christian America.
This is not a new thought, philosophy, or political ideology. Indeed, it dates to our country’s founding days.
Christian Nationalists maintain that America was founded as a Christian nation, by (white) Christians, and its laws and institutions are based on “Biblical” (that is to say, Protestant) Christianity. America is rightly and divinely favored. Hence its enormous wealth and power are earned blessings from God, given in exchange for our founders’ Christian beliefs and devotion. In exchange for these blessings, America has been given a mission: to spread religion, freedom, and civilization—by force, if necessary. But that mission is endangered by the growing presence of non-whites, non-Christians, and non-Americans on American soil. White Christians must, therefore, “take back the country,” their white Christian country.
This White Christian Nationalist origin story has been told and retold throughout American history. Each retelling has echoes of this mythology.
We can find earlier tellings of this story to justify slavery and also in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era to justify Jim Crow laws, segregation, and racial discrimination. It was also used to withhold equal treatment and civil rights from women and immigrants from “less desirable” European and Asian countries. It seems that White Christian Nationalists repeatedly found reasons to withhold rights and equality from all who were not white, Christian males.
In the depression era, a third-generation Disciples of Christ minister, Gerald L. K. Smith, became a leader in the Share Our Wealth movement and later the Christian Nationalist Crusade. During the years preceding WW II, Smith was an advocate and sympathizer for Adolph Hitler and the Nazi Party of Germany.
He attempted to form an alliance between the non-interventionist “America First”(sound familiar?) movement and Germany’s Nazi Party.
In 1943, Smith formed the America First Party, essentially appropriating the name. He became a member of William Dudley Pelley's Fascist Silver Legion of America, which was patterned after Hitler's brown shirts. He made no attempt to hide his affection or sympathies for fascism.
Smith espoused vociferously racist rhetoric and published virulent racist, anti-semitic, White Christian Nationalist views. He later ran under the banner of the America First Party for President in 1944, under the Christian Nationalist Party in 1948, and again in 1956. Smith In 1959, in the Cross and the Flag, the Christian Nationalist Crusade magazine, claimed that six million Jews were not killed in the death camps in Europe during WW II but instead immigrated to the United States during the war. Smith died of pneumonia at age 78 on April 15, 1976, in Glendale, California.
However, today we see echoes of Smith’s racist, anti-semitic, White Christian Nationalist, America First movement.
When you consider your own political allegiance, I urge all to reflect on whatever your own faith or moral standards may be and choose kindness for and care for others as a touchstone. If you do not find that in whomever you choose to support, I urge you to rethink your allegiance to that candidate or party.
The quotation “all men are created equal” is part of the sentence in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which Thomas Jefferson penned in 1776 during the beginning of the American Revolution that reads, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". The phrase echoed the words of John Locke in his second treatise on government, and other authors as early as the 14th century. Jefferson applied this concept in his original draft of the declaration.
Equality, by definition, states that none are superior or inferior to any other, but that all are equal and that equality is the natural state. It matters not one’s faith, place of birth, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual identity, or economic circumstances. Jefferson penned in our Declaration of Independence that equal rights were granted to all by our Creator and should be respected by and for all.
A good friend of mine, a Protestant Pastor, has told me often, “there is little of Christianity in White Christian Nationalism.” My friend maintains that it is contrary to and a threat to American democracy and to Christianity.
My recent experience working with others to support relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees has caused me to reflect on the amazing compassion and care I have seen expressed by people from virtually every one of the world’s different faiths and from so many nations in these efforts. It matters not if those expressing this care and compassion or those receiving it were Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, or of no faith. They saw only refugees who needed assistance. Care and compassion were provided freely to all and without the expectation of compensation of any kind.
I contrast that with what we know here in Texas as Operation Lone Star that has seen our Texas Republican Governor Abbott spending now over $4 billion sending Texas National Guard troops to our Southern border to confront refugees and turn them away. Quite a contrast from the situation in the countries neighboring Ukraine that have welcomed in only 6 months 9 million Ukrainian refugees, most of them women and children. There is nothing kind or Christian about what Governor Abbott is doing in Operation Lone Star.
Thank you, Bruce, I spent some time last night looking into Gerald L K Smith after Rachel Maddow presented him as the coiner of the term Christian Nationalist. I, too, support the right, the freedom to choose your own religion. I believe it is fundamental to our Constitution and American society. Your religion shouldn't depend on where you were born. I see religion as a mountain where we're all searching for the same thing but we are taking different paths to get to the top. Yes, for me, the "Christianity" in Christian Nationalism is not the religion of Jesus and the New Testament where you are taught to "love thy neighbor as thyself". One explanation I've heard is that Evangelical Christianity/MAGA is base on the vengeful God of the Old Testament and being the Chosen People (actually the Chosen People are the Jews) and the Letters of Paul. We should remind them that Jesus himself was a brown Jew unlike the painting through the centuries depicting him as white. I question any person that says they are the absolute authority on what God wants. That's like a goldfish knowing what humans are thinking. Whatever concept you have of a higher omnipotent being that Being is far too complex to comprehend fully. There has been a few times when I was performing with an ensemble playing the violin a work of Bach or Beethoven where the performance takes you into a higher level of being. It a place where omnipresence and omnipotence are simple concepts. It is exhilarating to say the least. No, Christian Nationalism is not Christianity or patriotism. It is pure greed for power and superiority over others because like Trump lack psychological resilience and looking for approval outside themselves because they have poor self-esteem. Yes, it is time to teach resilience and get rid of the OR philosophy where you lose is someone else gets a bigger slice of the fixed pie. We need to go to the AND philosophy where we bake bigger and more pies and work for the well being of all of us. We, the People, All of Us This Time!
Bruce, thank you for your comments; they were very informative. Caring for refugees is caring for our neighbors as ourselves. If you were fleeing for your life from the violence of war, or any other kind of violence, wouldn’t you want someone to help you? These “Christian” nationalists are not Christians at all; they just spew hate and discord. They do not follow the teachings of Christ.
AMEN. I couldn't agree with you more. I live in Texas too, and women, including myself, ARE LIVID. We are burning with rage and we are organizing with fierce determination. Polls and pundits cannot begin to measure what is happening on the ground and I look forward to showing the Republican Congress exactly what we think of them in November. No mercy.
Thank you, Nicole. No mercy! I've pledged to not vote for any Republican at all levels, local, state and federal. The entire Republican Party must be held accountable! Let me know if you have a particular organization that's pulling everyone together. LIVID doesn't adequately describe the deep rage inside me. I wake each more saying in my mind "You bastards". The media and polls haven't caught on to what's happening on the ground. I am not going to live in their narrow theocracy. There are many ways the world religions describe when life begins - conception, at "quickening", with first breath. That the woman has No Rights what soever over a two cell organism is untenable. In Jewish law the existing human has priority over the potential human when both lives are threatened. I think it is a quote from Barbara Bush's book that No matter what, God will take care of that little soul. It is also wonderful to hear how many good men like my very conservative brother believe women should have sovereignty over their own body. We, the People, all of us this time!
I'm tired of hearing negative comments from Democrats. If you want to complain, direct your opinions to what the republicans are doing to thwart Biden's agenda and Democratic bills to save the country.
VOTE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOTE, AS WELL! Remember, we're the majority.
As I had my second cataract surgery this morning, I am only reading (quite clearly!) the newsletters now. I can't wait to see if Joe Manchin follows through on his turn to support Biden's clamato agenda after all! And I can't wait to hear what happened that made him so completely (apparently) switch). Did somebody offer him more money than the energy industry? Has somebody made credible threats against him? I can think of no other reasons at this point.
"I look at those facts and see the scope and scale of our duty as Americans to preserve democracy—nothing more, and nothing less." I'm not sure of Max Boot's age, but starting in my teens I was out protesting against the killings at Kent State, draft and Viet Nam War; for civil rights, migrant worker's rights, and Women's Rights. I also have participated in campaigns, have voted in every election after spending 3 -4 hours studying everything on the ballot. And I also do my jury duty. So...the preservation of democracy takes work. It is an HONOR and PRIVILEGE to have these rights. That's part of the reason I am so pro-immigration. Immigrants seem to understand the honor and privilege part. Robert, I appreciate you circling back to this point. We don't have time to moan about the future. Time to get to work....oh, and to return to teaching Ciivics in the classroom and at home.
Together we are stronger. The nonprofit I lead has as our motto: LOVE. COMPASSION. COMMUNITY. We can do this; this country and her people deserve no less. Thank you again for your strong, steady leadership. Just like Pres. Biden, who in my opinion, is doing a terrific job during a very difficult time. (So I mean this as a compliment 😀. )
At the root of Max Boot's lamentation lies his origins in American Conservatism. Yes, that America has moved from it's primordial state of impairment, to dying, and presently near death. That is the America to which Max Boot dedicated the preponderance of his productive years. He has reason to mourn the wasted expenditure of his time, talent, and labor promoting American military violence and the Conservative mindset. The roots of our current national predicament lie in the Reagan era from which Boot and his ilk sprung. RIP.
You nailed it. Boot is correct in his assessments. And his pessimism is fueled by his sense of a failed philosophy that he had embraced for decades. It's as if you suddenly discovered your religion is simply a fantasy. Boot should have a beer with David Brooks. Another conservative who is depressed and lost in disappointment. I feel bad for them for a minute or two.
There is a path for them if they want to make a difference. Declare themselves liberals or Democrats with concern for the rule of law and human rights. Many of us had different political views years ago. So what? Just jump on the truth train and help us get back on the track to a real democracy.
Here is a blue print for America. It is a beautiful thing.
I'm actually sorry to be a dissenting voice on a couple of points, but I seem unable to control myself. The members of the Republican Party--today and for quite a long time--are not "conservatives." I am a liberal Democrat, and until old age and I began to have disagreements about it, was a very active one. There is virtually no issue on which I would agree, say, with Liz Cheney. Her positions represent a strong and honorable strain of conservatism. I admire her courage, her principles, and her integrity. I remember a time when Republicans were hard-core conservatives and still actually human beings. The misuse of that word intensifies division.
And , I'm not sure it serves our purpose to be too starry-eyed about the Great American Experiment that began with the systematic massacre of an entire group of people and a fairly impressive attempt to erase their culture.
I am not a moaning Democrat. I am not a pessimist. I do not think what we see outside our doors is the end of the world but, as a friend of mine reminds me, "This is not the end of the world, but you can see it from here."
Our hope--any hope, really--that the light will overcome the dark must be based on a thorough and honest self-appraisal. This is not only hard, sometimes painful, work, but Mr. Hubbell, I don't think it's even simple. Is any exploration our own hearts and actions every simple?
I believe we have a big job ahead of us. I believe we cam win. I also believe that a large part of our work must be internal and that the inside job is what's going to arm us for victory
I too I admire Rep. Cheney's courage, principles, and integrity. I however have no use for her high regards for Reagan, and in the end, her politics are Reaganism. And if she really had principals and courage, she'd call out her father for being the dishonest and greedy war-monger behind the Iraq War. Dick Cheney is a war criminal. Back to the point, we would not a January 6 Committee without her efforts. I so dislike ethical messiness. I'd have a beer with her.
Oh, I have not one point of agreement with her politics and politics are important. They are a reflection of what we believe to be right. I disagree passionately with her and the general Republican idea of right. That said, she had--as I guess we all do--her line that she couldn''t cross and she stood firm about it. Her colleagues today don't seem to have that inner point. And I agree entirely about the Jan 6 committee. No one I can think of could have done the job she has done. And the whole thing would never have happened without Nancy Pelosi. Hurray for strong, unconventional, ornery women! Thanks, Richard, your reply got me thinking.
My birth family was all Republican. Only when I entered college, the first of all my family, did I question Republicanism. There seemed to be 2 prongs only: 1) Be staunchly patriotic, which meant there was no war anywhere too insignificant to fight or support, including our defense industry, and 2) One's mission in life was to make money. Almost always that was a man's right and he should be supported by his government, his wife, and his children to that purpose. I still think that is true, especially the latter. I admire Liz Cheney's performance, but will she default to her father's creed? He personifies the two prongs to a "T."
Hi, Hope, I quite agree about the basics of the Republican approach. I have always disagreed with just about every single detail. Certainly with Liz Cheney, there's no question about her position on the issues. The difference to me is that somewhere in the whole package of who she is there's a part that has the integrity to recognize an overriding problem of ethics. There's a point where she found she had to take a stand. The crowd in there today, and her father, don't have that inner compass. Nothing overrides your two prongs. They hardly seem human to me, more like monsters in a bad movie.
As for my own need for introspection, I have to ask myself to what extent did I contribute to where we are now by not looking at the long road that got us here. I have been politically active. I am not a stupid person. And yet, here we are.
Yesterday in Alberta the Pope apologized to Indigeneous people of Canada for the church's role in Residential schools. Children were killed there. The call of the Indigenous leaders who traveled to Rome bringing a pair of shoes representing the children and saying, bring this back when you come to apologize, shows a model for change. Those who perpetrate are challenged and eventually someone who represents them who is right for the job does the work. If I hadn't felt the immense change yesterday I wouldn't understand this this morning. The wounds are part of the fabric of everyone in the country I think. My own research in neolithic symbols, and tombs, shows me that hierarchical buildings were built on top of womb symbols.
There is still more to come as questions are raised about the need for further examination of more disclosure by the Pope of the church's wrongs. Renewal ceremonies and resurgence (action) are a model of ways forward.
That is nicely written, Kelly. I am such a curmudgeon that I wonder if the Pope's gesture accomplishes more than a bandaid on gaping wounds. We all know that the church keeps peeling back layer upon layer of wrongs to humanity. Now it is behind the scene of SCOTUS' judgements on women. Not until it undoes its patriarchy, if ever, will it achieve atonement. Not until it announces that a zygote's worth exceeds its mother's is fiction, will I believe it has changed. I agree this Pope is trying at least.
Without a doubt, these are scary, perilous times, but I, too, have optimism that the damn has, indeed, been broken and voter turn out will be massive. Between abortion rights and LGBTQ folks and their supporters, there are many reasons to vote and encourage others to vote as well.
Make calls, write letters, go door to door if you can....keep the faith folks...not complacent, eyes wide open..but all is not lost before the effort has been made. The GOP has been working on this for YEARS...we may or may not prevail in one session, but ultimately...democracy will rise!!
Absolutely! And if you are, like me, a senior citizen no longer willing or able to canvas door to door, you can sign up to write postcards to voters. It’s easy. You can sit at your desk or kitchen table & do this. Postcards to Voters provides you with the text & the addresses. All they require is that you email them a sample of your handwriting, to show that it’s legible. And you request as many addresses at a time as you think you’re able to comfortably write.
Alas, my aging hands can hardly hold a pen any longer, much less can I do a canvassing walk. Sigh, it seems the best I can do is type on these pages, which is like preaching to the choir. But it is becoming a hobby! Thanks to all for ongoing commentary!
That’s exactly what I do. I’m too old to get out and demonstrate like I did for so many years, but I write postcards! I organized a small group of like-minded people and we meet once a month, and have a good chat while we write.
We must, as you have done, follow Robert’s lead by completing his sentence, “I tell where I’ll be if that day comes....” Each of his readers, their family members and neighbors who agree that democracy is worth fighting for would be well served to identify what they can and will do. “Urgency” is the word of the year - 2022 is the get out the vote year.
Absolutely, never give up hope, never stop fighting for freedom, equality and unity. It is the ideal of the Ukrainians and they are not giving in. The rest of Europe should do the same. We can oppose a scheming despot like Putin by getting independent from his gas. In America it is up to the Democrats and well thinking Republicans like Liz Cheney to safe democracy.
This newsletter was the right one at the right time, Robert. If you want some positive images, check out Beto O’Rourke’s Twitter feed. Yes, he’s a real long shot, but he’s bringing enthusiasm in areas where Dems have been in short supply/needed energy influx/must make inroads in—rural voters and young people.
See @BetoORourke. A rally last night in tiny Whitesboro, TX brought in 450; I am told organizers were expecting about 40.
I'm happy to hear that Beto is generating large crowds! I'm interested in your thoughts (or those of anyone familiar with the current Texas voting scene) as to what I was told by a former acquaintance I had reason to call recently. He's a Republican who considers himself socially liberal and who did not vote for TFG either time. He said Beto won't win in Texas because his visits to voters all over the state, which I pointed out, were in small towns with small populations compared to the larger cities in Texas, which he says will vote for Abbott. Any thoughts?
I am concerned that the two bloggers I respect, you and Heather, report well on the inroads Republicans are making in their efforts to destroy our democracy -- more reason for outrage, but too little about how to win. "Get out the vote" isn't enough. We must remember that "the best defense is a good offense." I am deeply troubled that I read little from Democrats about how to make our party stronger. We need a strong message - a phrase that we can repeat millions of times. We need an exciting candidate for the presidency in the next election. We need a winning offensive strategy.
I have a limited toolkit, which includes a degree in English and a career as a securities lawyer. I am sure there are others much more qualified than me to come up with that catchphrase.
We are tolerant and heterogeneous and messy, like democracy itself. The GQP is motivated by fear, monolithic, and authoritarian. We are at a disadvantage in that sense. But you are right, we can and must improve our alignment and messaging.
You're absolutely right that Democrats need a strong, central message that appeals to the majority of Americans. I do not have one. However, as a starter idea, I do think that Josh Shapiro's slogan in his run for governor of Pennsylvania is a good start. It's not super catchy, but it's brief and hits two very important ideas. He said "Create Opportunity, Defend Freedoms." Now we need someone who can just sprinkle some magic dust to make it sparkle or shake some verbal hot sauce on it to generate enthusiasm.
Well Elizabeth, keep on putting forth the building blocks of a better Democratic Party for all to read and see. It has to start somewhere, with someone like you. Thanks
Your remarks in the Concluding Thoughts section of today’s Newsletter mirror my views perfectly. I am shocked, horrified and worried about the fragile state of our democracy, but I am hopeful that the American spirit and love of our country will prevail. We must be active in this effort. I hear people saying they wish they could do something but don’ t know what. Maybe you could write once again about all the ways people can be proactive. I’m writing letters via Vote Forward, just having passed the 100 letter mark. I’m aiming for 1,000 by October 29 when 10 million letters will be mailed to potential voters. It feels good to be involved!
We need to be 2 countries! I’ve been saying this since 11/8/16 the night that criminal was elected President. We need to let the radical and authoritarian Right know that we will not follow them into autocratic rule, that we value democracy and we are keeping it. Will it be easy? Of course not! But the threat of eliminating the Blue State tax dollars gravy train to Red States should put some fear into them. My feeling is f**k them! Im never going to live under the dictatorship Trump announced he is going to institute. Im not going to be forced to pray to a god I don’t believe in, and i sure as hell refuse to let me and my daughter and ALL the other women in my life be treated like a second class citizen! Since when do we allow ignorant fools to dictate to us? Let them keep their guns and bibles. Honestly, when someone willingly allows the dismantling of their democratic government just so they can “ stick it to a liberal “ it’s time for them to get some mental health intervention! Thats not normal!
Sometimes I think that, but when I look at how this nation might divide geographically it looks like a cross section of our intestines. I think that big red Republican center would give the outer loops a great big belly ache. Sorry about the anatomical reference, but it does look like that!
Yes yes I agree! But when you control the coasts and have more money than the bloated sick belly in the middle you have advantages. Nothing is perfect in times of upheaval but saving our democracy is worth the chaos
Everything in this edition is correct, but the omissions are what I am critical of. It isn't Trump who is the ultimate danger...he is the carnival barker who eventually will be gone or have a base so small that he will be insignificant...(we may one day wish we still had Trump to kick around ...paraphrasing Nixon here). The entire GOP, Federalist Society and Murdoch are the very real dangers to democracy. McConnell torpedoed Obama's SCOTUS nominee and his programs without Trump. The GOP has stymied Biden's programs without Trump.
Trump is not running this cycle. There is no national campaign this year, except it is and Democrats need to make 2022 all about who will have the majority in Congress. With the GOP as it is there isn't a single Republican congressional candidate who should win!!! If McConnell is majority leader and McCarthy or some other Republican is Speaker it will be a Monster Congress.
And down ballot State and School Board elections are now more important than ever. That is one area where we have been outsmarted and out worked by the GOP. This needs to be learned from.
The Democrats have so many issues to campaign on and so many ways to show that if the GOP runs the show life will be worse...(Some issues: censorship in education, housing, jobs, healthcare, social security, forced birth, income inequality, climate, infrastructure, strong NATO, real immigration plan, privacy, gun safety, marriage equality)
When we keep our focus on Trump and keep running against Trump we are doing Desantis's work for him and he will be even worse.
Amen! I keep saying this on my social media platforms: the biggest threat to our country right now is not Trump. It is every GOP candidate up and down the ballot. People need to put all their e energy into winning 2022.
Reading Today's Edition Newsletter and enjoying the spectacle of the dam breaking, I'm thinking Max Boot deserves the "boot." Go ahead, leave, Mr. Boot. Why not move to Hungary and see how living under Orbán's authoritarian rule works for you? I'm sticking with Hubbell, a man of honor who refuses to declare defeat before the battle even starts. For those of us who swore in service to our country to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, leaving Dodge is out of the question. And for the citizens who still believe in the structures of liberty afforded us by the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, now is the time to stand firm in our resolve to fight those who seek to destroy the foundations of liberty upon which this nation was established. I'm resonating with Hubbell's reference to those previous generations of Americans who did not share Boot's pessimism. "Instead, they persisted despite overwhelming odds," writes Hubbell. "We should be glad they did--because they delivered us to this moment in history." Today is our moment in history. Our battle need not be fought with guns, yet. In this fight, our sacred right to vote should suffice as the weapon of choice. As Abraham Lincoln famously said, "The ballot is stronger than the bullet." And as Jon Rickard comments, "Remember, we're the majority."
Thanks for the call to arms. Each of us must do all in our power to defeat every Republican even it's just writing postcards or talking to our neighbors
"..they view Americans who are not white, straight, Christian evangelicals as “less than” or “other than” “real Americans.” Please don't forget the ladies! "They" have already made women second class citizens and irrelevant. I think there is a lot to be optimistic about mostly because women like me are so livid and we're turning our anger into determination and unifying action. We will win this war no matter how many battles starting with the Midterm elections we must fight to do it to regain our freedoms. We have defeated "Trump"; now we must defeat "Trumpism". We, the People of all colors, of all sexes, of all religions. ALL of us this time!
Cathy,
You are spot on. The following are my own observations on the dangers of White Christian Nationalism posted recently in our Nextdoor Comal County (TX) Democrats and Independents Group.
We have seen White Christian Nationalism before. This mythology has been evil and damaging each time it appears and remains so today. -
I have been considering for some time expressing my thoughts on this topic as a post in our group. I hope all realize I support everyone’s faith, and passionately held religious beliefs, whatever they may be. I also respect all those who hold or practice no faith. We have said in our group that all are welcome to express their views civilly and courteously. I hope all will afford me that same license for these thoughts.
I offer short definitions of Christian Nationalism, Religious Nationalism, and Nationalism to frame these thoughts. The following are adapted from Wikipedia:
> Christian Nationalism is Christianity-affiliated religious nationalism.
> Religious nationalism is the relationship of nationalism to a particular religious belief, dogma, or affiliation. This relationship can be broken down into two aspects: the politicization of religion and the influence of religion on politics.
> Nationalism is the identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, most often to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
And in this, we see the chief problem with Christian Nationalism. Linking Christianity to Nationalism elevates the status of one religion, Christianity, and one nation, America, to a position of superiority over all others. Hence, all others are considered inferior and to be subordinated to a Christian America, and most often a white Christian America.
This is not a new thought, philosophy, or political ideology. Indeed, it dates to our country’s founding days.
Christian Nationalists maintain that America was founded as a Christian nation, by (white) Christians, and its laws and institutions are based on “Biblical” (that is to say, Protestant) Christianity. America is rightly and divinely favored. Hence its enormous wealth and power are earned blessings from God, given in exchange for our founders’ Christian beliefs and devotion. In exchange for these blessings, America has been given a mission: to spread religion, freedom, and civilization—by force, if necessary. But that mission is endangered by the growing presence of non-whites, non-Christians, and non-Americans on American soil. White Christians must, therefore, “take back the country,” their white Christian country.
This White Christian Nationalist origin story has been told and retold throughout American history. Each retelling has echoes of this mythology.
We can find earlier tellings of this story to justify slavery and also in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era to justify Jim Crow laws, segregation, and racial discrimination. It was also used to withhold equal treatment and civil rights from women and immigrants from “less desirable” European and Asian countries. It seems that White Christian Nationalists repeatedly found reasons to withhold rights and equality from all who were not white, Christian males.
In the depression era, a third-generation Disciples of Christ minister, Gerald L. K. Smith, became a leader in the Share Our Wealth movement and later the Christian Nationalist Crusade. During the years preceding WW II, Smith was an advocate and sympathizer for Adolph Hitler and the Nazi Party of Germany.
He attempted to form an alliance between the non-interventionist “America First”(sound familiar?) movement and Germany’s Nazi Party.
In 1943, Smith formed the America First Party, essentially appropriating the name. He became a member of William Dudley Pelley's Fascist Silver Legion of America, which was patterned after Hitler's brown shirts. He made no attempt to hide his affection or sympathies for fascism.
Smith espoused vociferously racist rhetoric and published virulent racist, anti-semitic, White Christian Nationalist views. He later ran under the banner of the America First Party for President in 1944, under the Christian Nationalist Party in 1948, and again in 1956. Smith In 1959, in the Cross and the Flag, the Christian Nationalist Crusade magazine, claimed that six million Jews were not killed in the death camps in Europe during WW II but instead immigrated to the United States during the war. Smith died of pneumonia at age 78 on April 15, 1976, in Glendale, California.
However, today we see echoes of Smith’s racist, anti-semitic, White Christian Nationalist, America First movement.
When you consider your own political allegiance, I urge all to reflect on whatever your own faith or moral standards may be and choose kindness for and care for others as a touchstone. If you do not find that in whomever you choose to support, I urge you to rethink your allegiance to that candidate or party.
The quotation “all men are created equal” is part of the sentence in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, which Thomas Jefferson penned in 1776 during the beginning of the American Revolution that reads, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". The phrase echoed the words of John Locke in his second treatise on government, and other authors as early as the 14th century. Jefferson applied this concept in his original draft of the declaration.
Equality, by definition, states that none are superior or inferior to any other, but that all are equal and that equality is the natural state. It matters not one’s faith, place of birth, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual identity, or economic circumstances. Jefferson penned in our Declaration of Independence that equal rights were granted to all by our Creator and should be respected by and for all.
A good friend of mine, a Protestant Pastor, has told me often, “there is little of Christianity in White Christian Nationalism.” My friend maintains that it is contrary to and a threat to American democracy and to Christianity.
My recent experience working with others to support relief efforts for Ukrainian refugees has caused me to reflect on the amazing compassion and care I have seen expressed by people from virtually every one of the world’s different faiths and from so many nations in these efforts. It matters not if those expressing this care and compassion or those receiving it were Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, or of no faith. They saw only refugees who needed assistance. Care and compassion were provided freely to all and without the expectation of compensation of any kind.
thanks for the historical research. very helpful.
I contrast that with what we know here in Texas as Operation Lone Star that has seen our Texas Republican Governor Abbott spending now over $4 billion sending Texas National Guard troops to our Southern border to confront refugees and turn them away. Quite a contrast from the situation in the countries neighboring Ukraine that have welcomed in only 6 months 9 million Ukrainian refugees, most of them women and children. There is nothing kind or Christian about what Governor Abbott is doing in Operation Lone Star.
Thank you, Bruce, I spent some time last night looking into Gerald L K Smith after Rachel Maddow presented him as the coiner of the term Christian Nationalist. I, too, support the right, the freedom to choose your own religion. I believe it is fundamental to our Constitution and American society. Your religion shouldn't depend on where you were born. I see religion as a mountain where we're all searching for the same thing but we are taking different paths to get to the top. Yes, for me, the "Christianity" in Christian Nationalism is not the religion of Jesus and the New Testament where you are taught to "love thy neighbor as thyself". One explanation I've heard is that Evangelical Christianity/MAGA is base on the vengeful God of the Old Testament and being the Chosen People (actually the Chosen People are the Jews) and the Letters of Paul. We should remind them that Jesus himself was a brown Jew unlike the painting through the centuries depicting him as white. I question any person that says they are the absolute authority on what God wants. That's like a goldfish knowing what humans are thinking. Whatever concept you have of a higher omnipotent being that Being is far too complex to comprehend fully. There has been a few times when I was performing with an ensemble playing the violin a work of Bach or Beethoven where the performance takes you into a higher level of being. It a place where omnipresence and omnipotence are simple concepts. It is exhilarating to say the least. No, Christian Nationalism is not Christianity or patriotism. It is pure greed for power and superiority over others because like Trump lack psychological resilience and looking for approval outside themselves because they have poor self-esteem. Yes, it is time to teach resilience and get rid of the OR philosophy where you lose is someone else gets a bigger slice of the fixed pie. We need to go to the AND philosophy where we bake bigger and more pies and work for the well being of all of us. We, the People, All of Us This Time!
Thank you, Cathy, for expressing so clearly what I also believe. Love the different paths up the same mountain description.
Heart!
Bruce, thank you for your comments; they were very informative. Caring for refugees is caring for our neighbors as ourselves. If you were fleeing for your life from the violence of war, or any other kind of violence, wouldn’t you want someone to help you? These “Christian” nationalists are not Christians at all; they just spew hate and discord. They do not follow the teachings of Christ.
I like this and thank you for your thoughts so clearly and cogently presented, Bruce.
Even if it takes another 50 years, we’ll fight.
AMEN. I couldn't agree with you more. I live in Texas too, and women, including myself, ARE LIVID. We are burning with rage and we are organizing with fierce determination. Polls and pundits cannot begin to measure what is happening on the ground and I look forward to showing the Republican Congress exactly what we think of them in November. No mercy.
Thank you, Nicole. No mercy! I've pledged to not vote for any Republican at all levels, local, state and federal. The entire Republican Party must be held accountable! Let me know if you have a particular organization that's pulling everyone together. LIVID doesn't adequately describe the deep rage inside me. I wake each more saying in my mind "You bastards". The media and polls haven't caught on to what's happening on the ground. I am not going to live in their narrow theocracy. There are many ways the world religions describe when life begins - conception, at "quickening", with first breath. That the woman has No Rights what soever over a two cell organism is untenable. In Jewish law the existing human has priority over the potential human when both lives are threatened. I think it is a quote from Barbara Bush's book that No matter what, God will take care of that little soul. It is also wonderful to hear how many good men like my very conservative brother believe women should have sovereignty over their own body. We, the People, all of us this time!
Mothers Against Greg Abbott have some great ads.
I'm tired of hearing negative comments from Democrats. If you want to complain, direct your opinions to what the republicans are doing to thwart Biden's agenda and Democratic bills to save the country.
VOTE AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOTE, AS WELL! Remember, we're the majority.
Roe, Roe, Roe your Vote!!!
Ditto! Thank you!
As I had my second cataract surgery this morning, I am only reading (quite clearly!) the newsletters now. I can't wait to see if Joe Manchin follows through on his turn to support Biden's clamato agenda after all! And I can't wait to hear what happened that made him so completely (apparently) switch). Did somebody offer him more money than the energy industry? Has somebody made credible threats against him? I can think of no other reasons at this point.
We’ll said! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thank you, Jon. I agree completely
"I look at those facts and see the scope and scale of our duty as Americans to preserve democracy—nothing more, and nothing less." I'm not sure of Max Boot's age, but starting in my teens I was out protesting against the killings at Kent State, draft and Viet Nam War; for civil rights, migrant worker's rights, and Women's Rights. I also have participated in campaigns, have voted in every election after spending 3 -4 hours studying everything on the ballot. And I also do my jury duty. So...the preservation of democracy takes work. It is an HONOR and PRIVILEGE to have these rights. That's part of the reason I am so pro-immigration. Immigrants seem to understand the honor and privilege part. Robert, I appreciate you circling back to this point. We don't have time to moan about the future. Time to get to work....oh, and to return to teaching Ciivics in the classroom and at home.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our nation and its people, including immigrants.
America is a great country, in part, because of immigrants; it will remain a great country, in part, because of future immigrants.
Together we are stronger. The nonprofit I lead has as our motto: LOVE. COMPASSION. COMMUNITY. We can do this; this country and her people deserve no less. Thank you again for your strong, steady leadership. Just like Pres. Biden, who in my opinion, is doing a terrific job during a very difficult time. (So I mean this as a compliment 😀. )
Maybe these old white guys are confusing the threat of loss of white privilege with the end of democracy.
I cut out some of my comments to that effect from the newsletter.
How many Americans have passports? About 40%.
How many Americans are affluent enough to leave the country and settle somewhere else for political reasons? Less than 1%.
Max Boot is living in a privileged bubble of people who are not willing to fight for America.
Absolutely!
At the root of Max Boot's lamentation lies his origins in American Conservatism. Yes, that America has moved from it's primordial state of impairment, to dying, and presently near death. That is the America to which Max Boot dedicated the preponderance of his productive years. He has reason to mourn the wasted expenditure of his time, talent, and labor promoting American military violence and the Conservative mindset. The roots of our current national predicament lie in the Reagan era from which Boot and his ilk sprung. RIP.
You nailed it. Boot is correct in his assessments. And his pessimism is fueled by his sense of a failed philosophy that he had embraced for decades. It's as if you suddenly discovered your religion is simply a fantasy. Boot should have a beer with David Brooks. Another conservative who is depressed and lost in disappointment. I feel bad for them for a minute or two.
There is a path for them if they want to make a difference. Declare themselves liberals or Democrats with concern for the rule of law and human rights. Many of us had different political views years ago. So what? Just jump on the truth train and help us get back on the track to a real democracy.
Here is a blue print for America. It is a beautiful thing.
https://www.amacad.org/ourcommonpurpose/report
I'm actually sorry to be a dissenting voice on a couple of points, but I seem unable to control myself. The members of the Republican Party--today and for quite a long time--are not "conservatives." I am a liberal Democrat, and until old age and I began to have disagreements about it, was a very active one. There is virtually no issue on which I would agree, say, with Liz Cheney. Her positions represent a strong and honorable strain of conservatism. I admire her courage, her principles, and her integrity. I remember a time when Republicans were hard-core conservatives and still actually human beings. The misuse of that word intensifies division.
And , I'm not sure it serves our purpose to be too starry-eyed about the Great American Experiment that began with the systematic massacre of an entire group of people and a fairly impressive attempt to erase their culture.
I am not a moaning Democrat. I am not a pessimist. I do not think what we see outside our doors is the end of the world but, as a friend of mine reminds me, "This is not the end of the world, but you can see it from here."
Our hope--any hope, really--that the light will overcome the dark must be based on a thorough and honest self-appraisal. This is not only hard, sometimes painful, work, but Mr. Hubbell, I don't think it's even simple. Is any exploration our own hearts and actions every simple?
I believe we have a big job ahead of us. I believe we cam win. I also believe that a large part of our work must be internal and that the inside job is what's going to arm us for victory
I too I admire Rep. Cheney's courage, principles, and integrity. I however have no use for her high regards for Reagan, and in the end, her politics are Reaganism. And if she really had principals and courage, she'd call out her father for being the dishonest and greedy war-monger behind the Iraq War. Dick Cheney is a war criminal. Back to the point, we would not a January 6 Committee without her efforts. I so dislike ethical messiness. I'd have a beer with her.
Oh, I have not one point of agreement with her politics and politics are important. They are a reflection of what we believe to be right. I disagree passionately with her and the general Republican idea of right. That said, she had--as I guess we all do--her line that she couldn''t cross and she stood firm about it. Her colleagues today don't seem to have that inner point. And I agree entirely about the Jan 6 committee. No one I can think of could have done the job she has done. And the whole thing would never have happened without Nancy Pelosi. Hurray for strong, unconventional, ornery women! Thanks, Richard, your reply got me thinking.
My birth family was all Republican. Only when I entered college, the first of all my family, did I question Republicanism. There seemed to be 2 prongs only: 1) Be staunchly patriotic, which meant there was no war anywhere too insignificant to fight or support, including our defense industry, and 2) One's mission in life was to make money. Almost always that was a man's right and he should be supported by his government, his wife, and his children to that purpose. I still think that is true, especially the latter. I admire Liz Cheney's performance, but will she default to her father's creed? He personifies the two prongs to a "T."
Hi, Hope, I quite agree about the basics of the Republican approach. I have always disagreed with just about every single detail. Certainly with Liz Cheney, there's no question about her position on the issues. The difference to me is that somewhere in the whole package of who she is there's a part that has the integrity to recognize an overriding problem of ethics. There's a point where she found she had to take a stand. The crowd in there today, and her father, don't have that inner compass. Nothing overrides your two prongs. They hardly seem human to me, more like monsters in a bad movie.
As for my own need for introspection, I have to ask myself to what extent did I contribute to where we are now by not looking at the long road that got us here. I have been politically active. I am not a stupid person. And yet, here we are.
Thanks for including David Brooks with Boot. David has become locked in a mindset that cannot see the positive and what is being done by Dems.
Liked "a beer with David Brooks." Hubris is a vicious and unforgiving. Cheers!
Amen to that!
🙂
Robert, thank you for your unfailing determination and sense of purpose.
Yesterday in Alberta the Pope apologized to Indigeneous people of Canada for the church's role in Residential schools. Children were killed there. The call of the Indigenous leaders who traveled to Rome bringing a pair of shoes representing the children and saying, bring this back when you come to apologize, shows a model for change. Those who perpetrate are challenged and eventually someone who represents them who is right for the job does the work. If I hadn't felt the immense change yesterday I wouldn't understand this this morning. The wounds are part of the fabric of everyone in the country I think. My own research in neolithic symbols, and tombs, shows me that hierarchical buildings were built on top of womb symbols.
There is still more to come as questions are raised about the need for further examination of more disclosure by the Pope of the church's wrongs. Renewal ceremonies and resurgence (action) are a model of ways forward.
That is nicely written, Kelly. I am such a curmudgeon that I wonder if the Pope's gesture accomplishes more than a bandaid on gaping wounds. We all know that the church keeps peeling back layer upon layer of wrongs to humanity. Now it is behind the scene of SCOTUS' judgements on women. Not until it undoes its patriarchy, if ever, will it achieve atonement. Not until it announces that a zygote's worth exceeds its mother's is fiction, will I believe it has changed. I agree this Pope is trying at least.
Without a doubt, these are scary, perilous times, but I, too, have optimism that the damn has, indeed, been broken and voter turn out will be massive. Between abortion rights and LGBTQ folks and their supporters, there are many reasons to vote and encourage others to vote as well.
Make calls, write letters, go door to door if you can....keep the faith folks...not complacent, eyes wide open..but all is not lost before the effort has been made. The GOP has been working on this for YEARS...we may or may not prevail in one session, but ultimately...democracy will rise!!
Absolutely! And if you are, like me, a senior citizen no longer willing or able to canvas door to door, you can sign up to write postcards to voters. It’s easy. You can sit at your desk or kitchen table & do this. Postcards to Voters provides you with the text & the addresses. All they require is that you email them a sample of your handwriting, to show that it’s legible. And you request as many addresses at a time as you think you’re able to comfortably write.
Get started today at: postcards@tonythedemocrat.org
Well said. Get started today at: postcards@tonythedemocrat.org
Alas, my aging hands can hardly hold a pen any longer, much less can I do a canvassing walk. Sigh, it seems the best I can do is type on these pages, which is like preaching to the choir. But it is becoming a hobby! Thanks to all for ongoing commentary!
Heart
That’s exactly what I do. I’m too old to get out and demonstrate like I did for so many years, but I write postcards! I organized a small group of like-minded people and we meet once a month, and have a good chat while we write.
We get our lists from:
ActivateAmerica.org
We must, as you have done, follow Robert’s lead by completing his sentence, “I tell where I’ll be if that day comes....” Each of his readers, their family members and neighbors who agree that democracy is worth fighting for would be well served to identify what they can and will do. “Urgency” is the word of the year - 2022 is the get out the vote year.
Absolutely, never give up hope, never stop fighting for freedom, equality and unity. It is the ideal of the Ukrainians and they are not giving in. The rest of Europe should do the same. We can oppose a scheming despot like Putin by getting independent from his gas. In America it is up to the Democrats and well thinking Republicans like Liz Cheney to safe democracy.
This newsletter was the right one at the right time, Robert. If you want some positive images, check out Beto O’Rourke’s Twitter feed. Yes, he’s a real long shot, but he’s bringing enthusiasm in areas where Dems have been in short supply/needed energy influx/must make inroads in—rural voters and young people.
See @BetoORourke. A rally last night in tiny Whitesboro, TX brought in 450; I am told organizers were expecting about 40.
I follow Beto on Twitter. I think he has a good chance
I'm happy to hear that Beto is generating large crowds! I'm interested in your thoughts (or those of anyone familiar with the current Texas voting scene) as to what I was told by a former acquaintance I had reason to call recently. He's a Republican who considers himself socially liberal and who did not vote for TFG either time. He said Beto won't win in Texas because his visits to voters all over the state, which I pointed out, were in small towns with small populations compared to the larger cities in Texas, which he says will vote for Abbott. Any thoughts?
I am concerned that the two bloggers I respect, you and Heather, report well on the inroads Republicans are making in their efforts to destroy our democracy -- more reason for outrage, but too little about how to win. "Get out the vote" isn't enough. We must remember that "the best defense is a good offense." I am deeply troubled that I read little from Democrats about how to make our party stronger. We need a strong message - a phrase that we can repeat millions of times. We need an exciting candidate for the presidency in the next election. We need a winning offensive strategy.
I have a limited toolkit, which includes a degree in English and a career as a securities lawyer. I am sure there are others much more qualified than me to come up with that catchphrase.
We are tolerant and heterogeneous and messy, like democracy itself. The GQP is motivated by fear, monolithic, and authoritarian. We are at a disadvantage in that sense. But you are right, we can and must improve our alignment and messaging.
You're absolutely right that Democrats need a strong, central message that appeals to the majority of Americans. I do not have one. However, as a starter idea, I do think that Josh Shapiro's slogan in his run for governor of Pennsylvania is a good start. It's not super catchy, but it's brief and hits two very important ideas. He said "Create Opportunity, Defend Freedoms." Now we need someone who can just sprinkle some magic dust to make it sparkle or shake some verbal hot sauce on it to generate enthusiasm.
Well Elizabeth, keep on putting forth the building blocks of a better Democratic Party for all to read and see. It has to start somewhere, with someone like you. Thanks
Your remarks in the Concluding Thoughts section of today’s Newsletter mirror my views perfectly. I am shocked, horrified and worried about the fragile state of our democracy, but I am hopeful that the American spirit and love of our country will prevail. We must be active in this effort. I hear people saying they wish they could do something but don’ t know what. Maybe you could write once again about all the ways people can be proactive. I’m writing letters via Vote Forward, just having passed the 100 letter mark. I’m aiming for 1,000 by October 29 when 10 million letters will be mailed to potential voters. It feels good to be involved!
All the best,
Alice Kaplan
We need to be 2 countries! I’ve been saying this since 11/8/16 the night that criminal was elected President. We need to let the radical and authoritarian Right know that we will not follow them into autocratic rule, that we value democracy and we are keeping it. Will it be easy? Of course not! But the threat of eliminating the Blue State tax dollars gravy train to Red States should put some fear into them. My feeling is f**k them! Im never going to live under the dictatorship Trump announced he is going to institute. Im not going to be forced to pray to a god I don’t believe in, and i sure as hell refuse to let me and my daughter and ALL the other women in my life be treated like a second class citizen! Since when do we allow ignorant fools to dictate to us? Let them keep their guns and bibles. Honestly, when someone willingly allows the dismantling of their democratic government just so they can “ stick it to a liberal “ it’s time for them to get some mental health intervention! Thats not normal!
Sometimes I think that, but when I look at how this nation might divide geographically it looks like a cross section of our intestines. I think that big red Republican center would give the outer loops a great big belly ache. Sorry about the anatomical reference, but it does look like that!
Yes yes I agree! But when you control the coasts and have more money than the bloated sick belly in the middle you have advantages. Nothing is perfect in times of upheaval but saving our democracy is worth the chaos
Well, inflammation is a cause of many illnesses!
Thank you!!!!
Amen! The Civil War never ended.
Everything in this edition is correct, but the omissions are what I am critical of. It isn't Trump who is the ultimate danger...he is the carnival barker who eventually will be gone or have a base so small that he will be insignificant...(we may one day wish we still had Trump to kick around ...paraphrasing Nixon here). The entire GOP, Federalist Society and Murdoch are the very real dangers to democracy. McConnell torpedoed Obama's SCOTUS nominee and his programs without Trump. The GOP has stymied Biden's programs without Trump.
Trump is not running this cycle. There is no national campaign this year, except it is and Democrats need to make 2022 all about who will have the majority in Congress. With the GOP as it is there isn't a single Republican congressional candidate who should win!!! If McConnell is majority leader and McCarthy or some other Republican is Speaker it will be a Monster Congress.
And down ballot State and School Board elections are now more important than ever. That is one area where we have been outsmarted and out worked by the GOP. This needs to be learned from.
The Democrats have so many issues to campaign on and so many ways to show that if the GOP runs the show life will be worse...(Some issues: censorship in education, housing, jobs, healthcare, social security, forced birth, income inequality, climate, infrastructure, strong NATO, real immigration plan, privacy, gun safety, marriage equality)
When we keep our focus on Trump and keep running against Trump we are doing Desantis's work for him and he will be even worse.
Amen! I keep saying this on my social media platforms: the biggest threat to our country right now is not Trump. It is every GOP candidate up and down the ballot. People need to put all their e energy into winning 2022.
Excellent! You put forth the many issues Dems can and must be running on. We can talk about Trump’s horror show BUT we must demonstrate what we offer.
Reading Today's Edition Newsletter and enjoying the spectacle of the dam breaking, I'm thinking Max Boot deserves the "boot." Go ahead, leave, Mr. Boot. Why not move to Hungary and see how living under Orbán's authoritarian rule works for you? I'm sticking with Hubbell, a man of honor who refuses to declare defeat before the battle even starts. For those of us who swore in service to our country to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, leaving Dodge is out of the question. And for the citizens who still believe in the structures of liberty afforded us by the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, now is the time to stand firm in our resolve to fight those who seek to destroy the foundations of liberty upon which this nation was established. I'm resonating with Hubbell's reference to those previous generations of Americans who did not share Boot's pessimism. "Instead, they persisted despite overwhelming odds," writes Hubbell. "We should be glad they did--because they delivered us to this moment in history." Today is our moment in history. Our battle need not be fought with guns, yet. In this fight, our sacred right to vote should suffice as the weapon of choice. As Abraham Lincoln famously said, "The ballot is stronger than the bullet." And as Jon Rickard comments, "Remember, we're the majority."
Thanks for the call to arms. Each of us must do all in our power to defeat every Republican even it's just writing postcards or talking to our neighbors