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T. Clark's avatar

This is why we fight the MAGA/Trump.

Perfect: Democracy keeps you safe because it is the only system of government that has ever existed in all of human history in all of its forms that places the rights of the human being above the power of the state.

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Kent Dills's avatar

Steve, your last five paragraphs of this piece are GOLDEN. Going to share via my social media this morning and hope LOTS OF OTHERS here do too. Appreciate you sir!! ;-)

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Linda Silfven's avatar

This is one of the best paeans to liberty and democracy I have ever read. It brought tears to my eyes. Americans should be grateful every day for the privilege of living here.

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JennSH from NC's avatar

Be aware that the fascist Republicans are developing audacious plans for upending the election if the Democrats take the House, the Senate and the presidency or any combination thereof. Even if we win they will still try to steal power. We can NEVER, EVER STOP defending democracy.

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John D.'s avatar

I’m sure they are planning an insurrection again. It is what we are dealing with. And if they try to storm the Capitol again, deadly force may be needed to stop them cold. Ugly days ahead.

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Lisa Beardsley's avatar

Hartmann Report: "The best way to prevent this from happening is to widely publicize their scheme (to overthrow Democracy) so public opinion will become so intense that they fear the consequences." Thank you, Mary, for posting this critically important information today.

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John D.'s avatar

Their plans look awful. I hope their people start to realize what they will be voting for:

— End gay marriage and criminalize being trans.

— Outlaw abortion and most forms of birth control.

— End the teaching of Black history.

— Outlaw DEI and affirmative action of any sort.

— Shut down most functions of the EPA so the fossil fuel and chemical industries can do whatever they want to our air and water.

— End enforcement of our anti-monopoly laws.

— Fire thousands of IRS investigators to make America safe for morbidly rich tax cheats.

— Shut down all “green” initiatives and instead “drill, baby drill.”

— Sell off public lands and parks to the highest bidders.

— Privatize Social Security and end traditional Medicare.

— End federal funding for public schools and colleges.

— Outlaw unions.

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John D.'s avatar

And yet I heard Kristi Noem say at CPAC that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris “suck.” And that Joe Biden is destroying America.

Her words. And she is a duly elected Governor. So we have to get used to the idea that there are terrible Americans among us. Because they are voting for and helping to elect filth and garbage.

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John D.'s avatar

I say this again because I still cannot get past the kind of people we are electing to statewide offices. Is there not decent people out there? We have a Holocaust Denier as the second in command in North Carolina. I just cannot fathom it all when I think about that and also the nasty miscreants like Noem.

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Eric Klein's avatar

Thank you Steve for allowing us to relive a better time when there were men than thought and cared beyond themselves. We live in a great country with even greater opportunities for growth. We have to find a cure for the MAGA cancer eating at our brains and hearts. They will destroy us all including themselves.

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Russell Stevens's avatar

You covered it all Steve. Outstanding essay. Thank you.

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Karen Williams's avatar

Thank you, Steve. This is the most comprehensive piece I have read on our reality in the US, and it brought tears to my eyes. And the linking to your piece from 9/11/22 says so much. If the people on the plane cared enough about our democracy to wrestle the hijackers, what does it say about us if we can't rescue this country from the likes of Trump, Bannon and Putin. We have work to do.

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sbchica's avatar

Again, I say to you, Steve "you're brilliant".

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Debra Garries's avatar

Excellent piece! You covered it all, plainly and eloquently!

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Ann Abernethy's avatar

This is an amazing piece, as are so many essays you share. Thank you.

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GIB's avatar

Fantastic article, Steve. Thank you. I watched you on Scripps yesterday. Wishing you success reaching out to more of our citizens!

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Bob Fleck's avatar

The concept is wondrous. The people rule. Yet one very corrupt man, so far, appears to be able turn the entire thing on its ear and poison others in his coterie to pave the way. Doom for him lingers on the horizon but never approaches. That one crushing blow that would stop him in his tracks. That’s what the law is for but it keeps being pushed aside as new actors enter to build him up instead of tear him down. This is taken as strength and confuses those who doubt him. SCOTUS drags their feet giving his absurd immunity joke oxygen. Who is writing this script? What will it take to stop him? Before an election characterized by intimidation, guns, theft , false claims, chaos and maybe Civil War. He has filled good people with fear that the worst can happen and that extraordinary building and the heaven-sent Lincoln will mean nothing. Can you let that be? What are YOU going to do with America?

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GIB's avatar

All true, Bob. Your words here read like something out of a horror novel. The good people of America are being stalked and deceived by evil power grabbers. The WaPo headline this morning is, "Biden and Trump head to the border". That pissed me off right away! Our news media is using a subtle approach, as if, the former guy is somehow an alternate leader of our country. After all, Trump apparently is in control of Congress, right? They are doing everything he wishes. In other words, we have an underground puppetmaster leader in our government. This is all insane!!!

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Bob Fleck's avatar

Watching Willis hearing. Trump is everywhere like a gas in the room. Woman lawyer asking same question for over an hour. Insidious. Trump gets to prod and push and divide and delay and deceive at will. He cannot be stopped. How does anyone have confidence that America can stand up to one incredibly evil man? This is all him. The NYC AG is trying to prevent the evil. Can he? Is there a proper trial on the horizon? Is it all a waste? Are we so weak, stupid and incompetent? It is so hard and so crushing to say yes. Now a new male lawyer starting same questions again. Belligerent lawyer. Asked and answered over and over and over. This event is Trump in microcosm. And he uses his idiot following to pay the bill for this. The judge cut off the lady. Now here goes this guy. I guess the idea is just wear us out and let Trump off the hook for his criminal cabal in Georgia. Enjoy your Dictatorship. He wins everywhere except elections which he will next time steal. And we have a front row seat.

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Bob Fleck's avatar

4th lawyer

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Bob Fleck's avatar

5th lawyer

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Lisa Beardsley's avatar

Well, Bob, you have pretty much summed up the whole situation. If we don't start writing the script soon, Democracy will be OVER. You probably have seen this recent Thom Hartmann Report. The Republican Coup will stop at nothing to win in 2024. We must wake up now!

Hartmann Report: https://hartmannreport.com/p/the-new-over-the-top-secret-plan-518

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Mary Beth Horsington's avatar

Steve, you hit this one out of the park. It made me cry. Thank you.

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Diane's avatar

Steve, would you please speak these words in a BIG public forum? I am quite serious. I will chip in if needed. Please! If folks could all hear these words. Like when we felt like one on the day of 9/11. We need a huge reckoning of authenticity. I thank you.

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Lisa Beardsley's avatar

"We need a huge reckoning of authenticity." Well said, Diane. I totally agree!

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Diane's avatar

Yeah Lisa, Just this evening I thought, hmmm maybe Steve could speak at the State of the zUnion!

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Diane's avatar

Sorry, State of the Union. Still not real use to "smart phones"

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Lily's avatar

Send this to Speaker Mike Johnson immediately

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