Our democracy, here and now: angry polarization, extremist tails wagging the majority dogs, tribal confrontations and rising threats of real violence. The decline of constructive problem-solving and civil discourse that respects free speech. Polling continues to show Americans’ dissatisfaction with our current democratic system. Many believe we’re watching it permanently break apart. The pessimism is hardening into a fatalism
You're so right: It ain't over till it's over. And there's so time to lose. This is undoubtedly the most important Presidential election of my lifetime and yours because of not only what you say so well here but this: Our Constitution and democracy are at stake. What Trump stands for and what he's done are unprecedented in any former election when, as one example, tears in Edmund Muskie's eye eliminated him from the race. Let us compare what is now at stake and what Trump has done--not only January 6th that must not be forgotten, but also the fact that Trump—along with his allies in Congress, his tribe of red-tie supporters who show up at the New York trial—still does not accept the result of the Biden/Trump 2020 election and that he and they say they will not accept the result of the 2024 election unless he wins and what he plans to do, not excluding a dictatorship if he wins.
You're so right to look back and compare then and now in terms of the character of our politics. Our society has changed so much, and we have to recognize that the meaning and importance of our Constitution has also (relatively speaking) now changed--in that people are recognizing we can no longer take it for granted. Thanks for your comment, Mary!
Brook, I look forward to hearing your take on individual headlines as they arise. Your noble intent to bring together our widely diverse and currently dysfunctional populace is laudatory. I am excited by this new forum and I will contribute if I can. Thank you!
You're so right: It ain't over till it's over. And there's so time to lose. This is undoubtedly the most important Presidential election of my lifetime and yours because of not only what you say so well here but this: Our Constitution and democracy are at stake. What Trump stands for and what he's done are unprecedented in any former election when, as one example, tears in Edmund Muskie's eye eliminated him from the race. Let us compare what is now at stake and what Trump has done--not only January 6th that must not be forgotten, but also the fact that Trump—along with his allies in Congress, his tribe of red-tie supporters who show up at the New York trial—still does not accept the result of the Biden/Trump 2020 election and that he and they say they will not accept the result of the 2024 election unless he wins and what he plans to do, not excluding a dictatorship if he wins.
You're so right to look back and compare then and now in terms of the character of our politics. Our society has changed so much, and we have to recognize that the meaning and importance of our Constitution has also (relatively speaking) now changed--in that people are recognizing we can no longer take it for granted. Thanks for your comment, Mary!
Great piece by you, Brook. We must speak out.
Congratulations, Brook! So glad to see you bringing your writing to Substack and look forward to reading all your posts.
Thanks for the early encouragement!
Brook, I look forward to hearing your take on individual headlines as they arise. Your noble intent to bring together our widely diverse and currently dysfunctional populace is laudatory. I am excited by this new forum and I will contribute if I can. Thank you!
Thanks so much Paul...appreciate your enthusiasm!
Thanks so much for helping us deal with this crisis, Brook. I hope we don't return to those early days when the "United States" took a plural verb!
Yes, one of my regrettable puns....let us hope. Thanks Rick