“Democracy Awakening”, Heather Cox Richardson’s new book, continues to stand out among non-fiction big publishing releases as its message, its history and its contemporary warning, comes into greater focus everyday. Those who support democracy full on are all better for Heather’s blend of news as history in-the-making. The times are changing. Hold on to democracy
Democracy Challenged
Rising Threats to Democratic Institutions
“A Republic, if you can keep it”
Benjamin Franklin’s famous line often brings an ominous message in these times. When the Trump impeachment hearings were held in December 2019 the threat to the U.S. wasn’t the British monarchy. The threat to U.S. democratic institutions — and the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol — challenged the constitutional republic and rule of law. The insurrection witnessed was urged on by a U.S. president.
Today the stage is set for repeat performances from 2019/2020/2021 and once again we hear the words and stark warning of a founding voice of the nation.
Those who believe in the gifts of a democratic republic and stand in opposition to an authoritarian rules will soon have a presidential election. The November 2024 will make history and whatever the outcome deliver change felt throughout the world.
Now, in the interests of full disclosure, we (Strategic Demands and GreenPolicy360, associate of StratDem) acknowledge we have a strong point of view that influences our political positions.
In other words, we are advocates and activists, as well as historians, patriots, citizens of the U.S. and in environmental terms, planet citizens.
We are supporters of democracy, we are opposed to authoritarianism, totalitarianism, fascism (as defined by scholars like Hannah Arendt who dealt first hand with the despotic atrocities brought to the world in the 20th century.)
We are supporters of the ideals and ideas that form a bedrock of democratic institutions.
Our work at Strategic Demands/StratDem and GreenPolicy360 carries forward profoundly important human rights, a broader expanding rights agenda, a quest for a ‘more perfect union’ in governing, and best traditions of a free people striving for liberty.
Our Strategic Demands original banner looks at our Statue of Liberty as a light for opportunity, justice, a greeting and message to the world — one that needs to be lived up to generation by generation.
Now, in the face of struggle we have looked to renewing the strength of a democratic people, of re-awakening and Democracy Awakening as Heather Richardson’s speaks of in her 2023 ‘Notes on the State of America.’
Flashback to January 2022
Over the years of the Trump presidency, the turbulence, the dynamics of the threat horizon, were spoken of at length here at Strategic Demands and at GreenPolicy360.
We spent inordinate time covering the administration’s disinformation and misinformation. The flood of science denial became mind-boggling as national security topics, climate change, existential threats, nuclear weapons, all went into regression. International treaties — on climate, on nuclear weapons control — were abandoned wholesale and the American people were sold a bill of goods.
The now former president’s language brought unprecedented disinformation throughout his years in office. A torrent of lies, 30,000+ statements were identified by Washington Post reporters as “false or misleading claims” over his years in office. The lies continued, proliferated, and escalated after he lost the 2020 election and lost some 60 plus court cases as he claimed election illegalities. The lies have now gone to another level.
The ex-president’s rising threats continue and have gone to the point of physical threats.
“In honor of our great Veterans on Veteran’s Day, we pledge to you that we will root out the Communists, Marxists, Fascists, and Radical Left Thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our Country, lie, steal, and cheat on Elections, and will do anything possible, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America, and the American Dream.
“The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous, and grave, than the threat from within. Despite the hatred and anger of the Radical Left Lunatics who want to destroy our Country, we will MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”
This moment of Trump was in print and delivered at a recent rally in New Hampshire.
The former president’s current communication’s advisor, Steven Cheung, delivered an ‘explanation’ of Trump’s meaning:
Heather Cox Richardson offers historic context as she deals with increasingly bellicose threats of Donald Trump. Her voice of facts and reason, analysis and a steady hand have fortunately come to bring historian’s skill and knowledge to the tempest. Where many have un-plugged, tuned out, and/or refused to consider how serious these threats have become, there are the “Letters from an American” daily served up by Heather for those who do care to stay involved.
For you, defenders of democracy, the brave, strong and honorable, take up Democracy Awakening. The politics of our time demand, strategically, personally, and critically, that those who believe in democratic freedoms, in facts, in science, in truth stand up.
Yes, in terms of full disclosure, we at Strategic Demands, are pro-democracy and pro-American when at its best. We have a way to go to be what we can be, and what we should be…
Democracy takes work, truly takes work. Let’s work at it together.
Our appreciation to Heather and our Boston supporters for Heather’s signed copy of Democracy Awakening. We especially value Heather’s daily “Letters from an American”, posted to Substack with accompanying Podcasts. Sign up. Get with the action. As Hannah Arendt said, ‘Vita Contemplativa to Vita Activa’.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/ | https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/archive
