Reading Heather's "reflective" piece this morning, I did some reflecting myself about her ongoing efforts to present the evidence about how "Republican lawmakers are actively working to undermine our democracy." Ever since she began her endeavor, famously known as Letters from an American, she has been the voice of democracy for me and c…
Reading Heather's "reflective" piece this morning, I did some reflecting myself about her ongoing efforts to present the evidence about how "Republican lawmakers are actively working to undermine our democracy." Ever since she began her endeavor, famously known as Letters from an American, she has been the voice of democracy for me and countless others as the forces of fascism have gathered to undermine the power of the people as established by the Constitution. On September 15, 2021, she posted a letter about how the blog was born and expressed her gratitude to her readers for their support.
"I write these letters because I love America," she stated in part. "I am staunchly committed to the principle of human self-determination for people of all races, genders, abilities, and ethnicities, and I believe that American democracy could be the form of government that comes closest to bringing that principle to reality. And I know that achieving that equality depends on a government shaped by fact-based debate rather than by extremist ideology and false narratives."
The post evoked a flood of reader responses reflecting the power and passion of her words. Richardson has a way of inspiring readers to participate, to think, to write back in response to the issues she raises and to join the chorus of We, the People, singing the great song of Democracy throughout the land. I acknowledged in my own response to her beautiful letter how I admired the way she continues to stand up for democracy in the face of a fascist assault unprecedented in American history, also noting how the legacy of the lone, self-sufficient individual (most likely a Reagan Republican) riding off into the sunset drags on, as does what Lewis Mumford called the predatory corporate "megamachine," the industrial regime that's destroying the planet.
These are the forces that diminish the aspirations of every civic-minded citizen yearning to participate in the process of governing this nation, which is what democracy is all about. The enemies of democracy today are the same ones that coalesced around the Republican Party and enabled it to launch the class war against FDR's New Deal and the rise of democracy during the 30's. In the current era of what I call Bozo Republicanism, Richardson's voice has become the clarion call of democracy and social justice for thousands who read her letters, and when a recent Financial Times profile revealed that she had considered giving up this beautiful thing she does, I was horrified at the thought of not having Letters from an American in my email inbox to get my motor running every morning. It seems to me that her writing transmits on the same frequency as Cicero, Tom Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, Susan B. Anthony, Millicent Fawcett, Ralph Nader, Lewis Lapham, Thomas Frank, Robert Scheer, Chris Hedges, Matt Taibbi, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Rep. Barbara Lee, and many other inspired luminaries who have taken a stand for democracy and the rule of law. Chris Hedges once said a person really has only two choices when push comes to shove: either serve money and power or truth and justice. Heather Cox Richardson's choice is clearly the latter, which explains the high regard readers have for her work. She relentlessly tells the truth in support of a just, democratic society the thrives for everyone, not just a cabal of wealthy elites.
When Richardson published the September 15 thank-you letter, the gratitude flowed both ways with a torrent of appreciative sentiment coming from the multitude of Letters from an American readers. That fact speaks volumes about the respect readers share for her integrity and passion for equality. Albert Einstein famously said "a student is not a container you have to fill, but a torch you have to light up." As a writer and an educator, "lighting up torches" is what Heather is all about, empowering the hearts and minds of a growing number of like-minded people yearning for democracy and uniting together to make it a reality. Power to the People!
Christine, as a retired educator, I have to agree that the force of will is a prerequisite. At this point in our history, there is a lot of fuel, and we are tinder-dry, ready for the spark.
In thinking over how reading Heather’s letters every day has made me more aware of what’s happening and how the pieces fit together to create a scary view of the GOP machinations, I wonder how many of us would have been able to see a big picture. Some of us noted bits and pieces in the news that bothered us. Others, who have been drawn to Heather’s letters by a shared social media post or a personal conversation, may have been focusing on their daily lives and oblivious to anything more than the big news headline events. The letters have drawn together a large following as we learn and share ideas and knowledge. If our democracy survives, I believe a lot of credit should go to Heather and her ability to educate and motivate so many to be aware of the dangers and act before it’s too late.
I'm not sure I've encountered anyone who so effectively cuts through the noise and, with historical context, boils things down to their essence. Heather has been vital to me in understanding what's really happening, all while teaching me so much about the nation's past that I either didn't know or fully understand.
Reading Heather's "reflective" piece this morning, I did some reflecting myself about her ongoing efforts to present the evidence about how "Republican lawmakers are actively working to undermine our democracy." Ever since she began her endeavor, famously known as Letters from an American, she has been the voice of democracy for me and countless others as the forces of fascism have gathered to undermine the power of the people as established by the Constitution. On September 15, 2021, she posted a letter about how the blog was born and expressed her gratitude to her readers for their support.
"I write these letters because I love America," she stated in part. "I am staunchly committed to the principle of human self-determination for people of all races, genders, abilities, and ethnicities, and I believe that American democracy could be the form of government that comes closest to bringing that principle to reality. And I know that achieving that equality depends on a government shaped by fact-based debate rather than by extremist ideology and false narratives."
The post evoked a flood of reader responses reflecting the power and passion of her words. Richardson has a way of inspiring readers to participate, to think, to write back in response to the issues she raises and to join the chorus of We, the People, singing the great song of Democracy throughout the land. I acknowledged in my own response to her beautiful letter how I admired the way she continues to stand up for democracy in the face of a fascist assault unprecedented in American history, also noting how the legacy of the lone, self-sufficient individual (most likely a Reagan Republican) riding off into the sunset drags on, as does what Lewis Mumford called the predatory corporate "megamachine," the industrial regime that's destroying the planet.
These are the forces that diminish the aspirations of every civic-minded citizen yearning to participate in the process of governing this nation, which is what democracy is all about. The enemies of democracy today are the same ones that coalesced around the Republican Party and enabled it to launch the class war against FDR's New Deal and the rise of democracy during the 30's. In the current era of what I call Bozo Republicanism, Richardson's voice has become the clarion call of democracy and social justice for thousands who read her letters, and when a recent Financial Times profile revealed that she had considered giving up this beautiful thing she does, I was horrified at the thought of not having Letters from an American in my email inbox to get my motor running every morning. It seems to me that her writing transmits on the same frequency as Cicero, Tom Paine, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglas, Susan B. Anthony, Millicent Fawcett, Ralph Nader, Lewis Lapham, Thomas Frank, Robert Scheer, Chris Hedges, Matt Taibbi, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Rep. Barbara Lee, and many other inspired luminaries who have taken a stand for democracy and the rule of law. Chris Hedges once said a person really has only two choices when push comes to shove: either serve money and power or truth and justice. Heather Cox Richardson's choice is clearly the latter, which explains the high regard readers have for her work. She relentlessly tells the truth in support of a just, democratic society the thrives for everyone, not just a cabal of wealthy elites.
When Richardson published the September 15 thank-you letter, the gratitude flowed both ways with a torrent of appreciative sentiment coming from the multitude of Letters from an American readers. That fact speaks volumes about the respect readers share for her integrity and passion for equality. Albert Einstein famously said "a student is not a container you have to fill, but a torch you have to light up." As a writer and an educator, "lighting up torches" is what Heather is all about, empowering the hearts and minds of a growing number of like-minded people yearning for democracy and uniting together to make it a reality. Power to the People!
Stewart…
Each person must bring a match to their own pilot light or allow their life to abide in darkness.
Salud!
Christine, as a retired educator, I have to agree that the force of will is a prerequisite. At this point in our history, there is a lot of fuel, and we are tinder-dry, ready for the spark.
In thinking over how reading Heather’s letters every day has made me more aware of what’s happening and how the pieces fit together to create a scary view of the GOP machinations, I wonder how many of us would have been able to see a big picture. Some of us noted bits and pieces in the news that bothered us. Others, who have been drawn to Heather’s letters by a shared social media post or a personal conversation, may have been focusing on their daily lives and oblivious to anything more than the big news headline events. The letters have drawn together a large following as we learn and share ideas and knowledge. If our democracy survives, I believe a lot of credit should go to Heather and her ability to educate and motivate so many to be aware of the dangers and act before it’s too late.
I'm not sure I've encountered anyone who so effectively cuts through the noise and, with historical context, boils things down to their essence. Heather has been vital to me in understanding what's really happening, all while teaching me so much about the nation's past that I either didn't know or fully understand.
Beautifully said. Thank you!
May I copy your comment with attribution on Facebook? I think it is a great sales piece for engaging more readers. Thank you for writing it.
I'd also like to copy your comment to FB with attribution, if it's OK with you.
Thank you for your brilliant comments!