American greatness has been fueled and sustained by qualities of character that are timeless and sorely needed during these days of national crisis. There should be no mistake about this being a moment of crisis or blindness about its cause, or who specifically is responsible.
Biden’s inaugural address, on Democracy: “Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause. The cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”
Hillary Clinton: We Cherish ‘Peaceful Transfer of Power’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh5OgirUFBw (Here, she shows the character that is so much needed in this country.)
Thank you for all you do to try to save this great nation. Your words always ring true and are a beautifully written testament to your patriotism. I wish your essays were required reading for every American.
Thank you Steve, you have probably forgotten more about American History than most of us have ever learned. It’s great to be reminded how fragile our democracy is, and how all of us must continually fight to keep it.
It reminds me of the time Benjamin Franklin was asked, “what type of government does America have,” he responded, "A republic, if you can keep it."
Unfortunately, in the state of Florida, where I reside, and in many other former confederate states, they are whitewashing our history, instead of teaching the burdens of democracy, the crimes of our past and its significance to our future republic..
That said, it’s amazing how so many citizens are so ignorant or apathetic about our founding. When I see the MAGA crowd wearing tee-shirts that read, “I’d rather be a Russian than a democrat,” you know the burden falls on all of us to be engage and fight harder for our freedoms and liberties . For if we chose not to, our future is bleak!
Well, this may be your best ever. Your compilation of the words and principles of our previous presidents provide a stark and concerning contrast to former Pres Trump. The compassion and courage of all the other presidents show how regrettably far we have strayed from our basic goodness and beliefs. It is the people who choose our presidents who represent who we are. The period of 2016 to 2020 should be remembered as a dark time when our worst instincts only briefly emerged to rule us. Let us work and pray that we can recover, let our true American idealism Re emerge to put us back on our great path to continue our great experiment to provide opportunities for all Americans to achieve the dream of, life, liberty and happiness which embraces all here. I pray that we will emerge from the great carnage of we brought upon ourselves and bring all of us back to the beacon on the hill which is the real America.
Each spoken word by these past presidents, show exactly why Donald Trump should be held accountable for his actions. As well, the entire Republican Party should be held accountable for their support of his actions at the ballot box in 2024.
This is the reminder of who we are as a united people. We may not always agree with the policies espoused by those who spoke, but we are committed to the visions they shared: a shared history of peaceful passing of power; the commitment to service to the nation and the world; and, a that it is from the people our leaders derive their power. The incoming generation, those who are just coming of voting age, share the vision of commitment to service. I am glad they're joining us.
In a horrible way, I think DJT's election and continued lawless behavior highlighted what happens when we focus away from the commitment to serve, commitment to the common good. We see a John Eastman working to end democracy since the country's direction was not what he wanted. We see planed and executed fraud in multiple states to retain power against the will of the people, who knew change was needed, and voted for the change. We must call it out, prosecute it according to the law, and take the appropriate actions. History demands nothing less.
School is starting across this whole, big United (we can hope) States. This should be the first lesson from kindergarten to graduate school, no matter the discipline or course of study. How, Steve, can this piece get in front of the country for its consideration? You know people. What can be done to disseminate this consideration of how American power flows, ebbs and flows anew?
This is a marvelous essay, Steve, and I wish that it could be a chapter in every Senior High history textbook: required reading, with a test afterward. *** "[W]e would be unfaithful to ourselves if we should ever lose sight of the danger to our liberties if anything partial or extraneous should INFECT [caps mine] the purity of our free, fair, virtuous, and independent elections." *** I had never read the first paragraph you quoted from Lincoln, and it was shocking -- the ferocious determination that the Union would triumph. And Mrs. Roosevelt's little unexpected twist at the end of her notifying Truman of the change in circumstances cracked me up. She was a truly brilliant, magnificent woman!
Sting's lyrics to If Ever I Lose my Faith in You, written 30 years ago, reflect what the common citizen also knows to be true throughout the ages and for us today, in this moment.
Some would say I was a lost man in a lost world
You could say I lost my faith in the people on TV
You could say I'd lost my belief in our politicians
But what do we do about The Freedom Caucus and The Heritage Foundation? These feeder organizations that poison our system instead of making our republic stronger.. what do we do to stop their prowling our college campuses and law schools to groom them for their foul organizations?
I did not watch trump’s inauguration. I went on a cruise to specifically be out of the country. He isn’t allowed to speak on my tv’s. But, I will gladly watch him squirm in a Fulton Georgia courtroom with 18 of his alleged fellow racketeers. He won’t be testifying - of that I am certain.
Biden’s inaugural address, on Democracy: “Today, we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause. The cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”
Hillary Clinton: We Cherish ‘Peaceful Transfer of Power’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh5OgirUFBw (Here, she shows the character that is so much needed in this country.)
Thank you for all you do to try to save this great nation. Your words always ring true and are a beautifully written testament to your patriotism. I wish your essays were required reading for every American.
Thank you Steve, you have probably forgotten more about American History than most of us have ever learned. It’s great to be reminded how fragile our democracy is, and how all of us must continually fight to keep it.
It reminds me of the time Benjamin Franklin was asked, “what type of government does America have,” he responded, "A republic, if you can keep it."
Unfortunately, in the state of Florida, where I reside, and in many other former confederate states, they are whitewashing our history, instead of teaching the burdens of democracy, the crimes of our past and its significance to our future republic..
That said, it’s amazing how so many citizens are so ignorant or apathetic about our founding. When I see the MAGA crowd wearing tee-shirts that read, “I’d rather be a Russian than a democrat,” you know the burden falls on all of us to be engage and fight harder for our freedoms and liberties . For if we chose not to, our future is bleak!
Well, this may be your best ever. Your compilation of the words and principles of our previous presidents provide a stark and concerning contrast to former Pres Trump. The compassion and courage of all the other presidents show how regrettably far we have strayed from our basic goodness and beliefs. It is the people who choose our presidents who represent who we are. The period of 2016 to 2020 should be remembered as a dark time when our worst instincts only briefly emerged to rule us. Let us work and pray that we can recover, let our true American idealism Re emerge to put us back on our great path to continue our great experiment to provide opportunities for all Americans to achieve the dream of, life, liberty and happiness which embraces all here. I pray that we will emerge from the great carnage of we brought upon ourselves and bring all of us back to the beacon on the hill which is the real America.
Each spoken word by these past presidents, show exactly why Donald Trump should be held accountable for his actions. As well, the entire Republican Party should be held accountable for their support of his actions at the ballot box in 2024.
Thank you Steve for helping us remember who we are, and how we best go about living up to our highest ideals.
This is the reminder of who we are as a united people. We may not always agree with the policies espoused by those who spoke, but we are committed to the visions they shared: a shared history of peaceful passing of power; the commitment to service to the nation and the world; and, a that it is from the people our leaders derive their power. The incoming generation, those who are just coming of voting age, share the vision of commitment to service. I am glad they're joining us.
In a horrible way, I think DJT's election and continued lawless behavior highlighted what happens when we focus away from the commitment to serve, commitment to the common good. We see a John Eastman working to end democracy since the country's direction was not what he wanted. We see planed and executed fraud in multiple states to retain power against the will of the people, who knew change was needed, and voted for the change. We must call it out, prosecute it according to the law, and take the appropriate actions. History demands nothing less.
Steve,
Thank you for this.
Another tour de force from a true patriot.
This is one of your best, Steve. Thank you.
School is starting across this whole, big United (we can hope) States. This should be the first lesson from kindergarten to graduate school, no matter the discipline or course of study. How, Steve, can this piece get in front of the country for its consideration? You know people. What can be done to disseminate this consideration of how American power flows, ebbs and flows anew?
This is a marvelous essay, Steve, and I wish that it could be a chapter in every Senior High history textbook: required reading, with a test afterward. *** "[W]e would be unfaithful to ourselves if we should ever lose sight of the danger to our liberties if anything partial or extraneous should INFECT [caps mine] the purity of our free, fair, virtuous, and independent elections." *** I had never read the first paragraph you quoted from Lincoln, and it was shocking -- the ferocious determination that the Union would triumph. And Mrs. Roosevelt's little unexpected twist at the end of her notifying Truman of the change in circumstances cracked me up. She was a truly brilliant, magnificent woman!
Am I the only one reading and listening to this with tears streaming down my cheeks? Thank you for reminding us who we are.
Sting's lyrics to If Ever I Lose my Faith in You, written 30 years ago, reflect what the common citizen also knows to be true throughout the ages and for us today, in this moment.
Some would say I was a lost man in a lost world
You could say I lost my faith in the people on TV
You could say I'd lost my belief in our politicians
They all seemed like game show hosts to me
If I ever lose my faith in you
There'd be nothing left for me to do
I could be lost inside their lies without a trace
But every time I close my eyes I see your face
Ten Summoners Tales, 1993
But what do we do about The Freedom Caucus and The Heritage Foundation? These feeder organizations that poison our system instead of making our republic stronger.. what do we do to stop their prowling our college campuses and law schools to groom them for their foul organizations?
I did not watch trump’s inauguration. I went on a cruise to specifically be out of the country. He isn’t allowed to speak on my tv’s. But, I will gladly watch him squirm in a Fulton Georgia courtroom with 18 of his alleged fellow racketeers. He won’t be testifying - of that I am certain.
Exceptional! Thank you!