The clarion call is and has been echoing throughout the country we have forgotten to love and serve. I hope you will show us, your readers, in even greater detail how Lincoln prevailed and what we can learn to do in this now. Onward.
Thanks, Harrison. I am working on it (-: You said it: Love and serve the nation. That is what we all need to do. I hope those of us who believe in this philosophy are not a dying breed. How do we pass it down to youngsters? What happened to civics education in America?
Yes, Lincoln has much to teach us, Eli, but one of my concerns is that fewer and fewer Americans exhibit any real interest in "lay[ing] hands on books" of any kind or substance these days. It's all Twitter feeds and Instagram and such -- a frightening dumbing-down of the whole populace. But I'll try to stay optimistic.
Bravo Eli, yes, it is up to us now. The Republican Party has taken on “ends justify the means” to the ultimate. And given their definition of “ends” means restricting individual liberties and forcing fellow citizens into some sort of fake conservative Christian white nationalist ideology, neither their means nor their ends are consistent with our Constitution or democracy. Personally I think it is time to scrap the two-party system, so hopefully the Democratic Party can prevail, and then break apart. We need new labels that allow us to come together on policies, not on ideologies.
And Eli, yes, maybe food for you on this one, wondering your views on the two party system. Many of those steeped in American history, as you are, look to one party or the other for leadership and a move to the center, but I am increasingly suspect that the answer lies there. Your thoughts appreciated!
I agree with everything you say here, John. If we look back to the 19th century, we see that our political system was flexible enough––not made rigid by monied interests––to launch new parties as they were needed to wash away our sins.
One example is the Republican party itself: formed in 1854 and victorious in the presidential election a mere six years later. We need more parties. We need a more limber system. We need money out of politics and people in it.
I am watching Liz Cheney. She might just be the type of profile in courage who makes such a move.
I am already thinking about my next Lincoln piece. It is going to be about the willingness of citizens to "die for the cause." Where that energy is present, I am thinking maybe democracy remains strong . . .
Thanks for your support and comment. Keep em coming.
Commend her but she could have come out against the populist tactics much earlier. She clearly has positioned herself for the Republican Party leader if ever Trumpism is defeated. Sadly, don't see that happen and Trump, if discredited, will be replaced by another fascist populist actor like DeSantis within the Republican Party. I think it has gone too far and many of those supporting the Big Lie know they have to go fullsteam or they actually may end up in jail eventually....
Agreed, Dougal. Great to see you here. Maybe we'll have to translate the wisdom and spirit of Lincoln into Twitter feeds and videos, etc––somehow. It's all about hearts and minds and how to reach them, isn't it.
My thought is that we reconcile ourselves to whatever may come, knowing who were are, what we stand for, and what we'll fight for––that alone is beauty and hope for me.
I just finished that next Lincoln piece. It shows he was willing to die for the cause of stopping slavery expansion. Is that what would pull us through, that type of courage of conviction?
The clarion call is and has been echoing throughout the country we have forgotten to love and serve. I hope you will show us, your readers, in even greater detail how Lincoln prevailed and what we can learn to do in this now. Onward.
Thanks, Harrison. I am working on it (-: You said it: Love and serve the nation. That is what we all need to do. I hope those of us who believe in this philosophy are not a dying breed. How do we pass it down to youngsters? What happened to civics education in America?
Yes, Lincoln has much to teach us, Eli, but one of my concerns is that fewer and fewer Americans exhibit any real interest in "lay[ing] hands on books" of any kind or substance these days. It's all Twitter feeds and Instagram and such -- a frightening dumbing-down of the whole populace. But I'll try to stay optimistic.
Here's a bit of hope, Peter. Garland does have within him the spirit of Lincoln. Thank God.
From Salon: Prosecute Trump — it will lower the heated political temperature
https://www.salon.com/2022/08/30/prosecute--it-will-lower-the-heated-political-temperature/
Bravo Eli, yes, it is up to us now. The Republican Party has taken on “ends justify the means” to the ultimate. And given their definition of “ends” means restricting individual liberties and forcing fellow citizens into some sort of fake conservative Christian white nationalist ideology, neither their means nor their ends are consistent with our Constitution or democracy. Personally I think it is time to scrap the two-party system, so hopefully the Democratic Party can prevail, and then break apart. We need new labels that allow us to come together on policies, not on ideologies.
And Eli, yes, maybe food for you on this one, wondering your views on the two party system. Many of those steeped in American history, as you are, look to one party or the other for leadership and a move to the center, but I am increasingly suspect that the answer lies there. Your thoughts appreciated!
I agree with everything you say here, John. If we look back to the 19th century, we see that our political system was flexible enough––not made rigid by monied interests––to launch new parties as they were needed to wash away our sins.
One example is the Republican party itself: formed in 1854 and victorious in the presidential election a mere six years later. We need more parties. We need a more limber system. We need money out of politics and people in it.
I am watching Liz Cheney. She might just be the type of profile in courage who makes such a move.
I am already thinking about my next Lincoln piece. It is going to be about the willingness of citizens to "die for the cause." Where that energy is present, I am thinking maybe democracy remains strong . . .
Thanks for your support and comment. Keep em coming.
Your thoughts, John, about Liz Cheney?
Commend her but she could have come out against the populist tactics much earlier. She clearly has positioned herself for the Republican Party leader if ever Trumpism is defeated. Sadly, don't see that happen and Trump, if discredited, will be replaced by another fascist populist actor like DeSantis within the Republican Party. I think it has gone too far and many of those supporting the Big Lie know they have to go fullsteam or they actually may end up in jail eventually....
Jail, I hope.
Agreed, Dougal. Great to see you here. Maybe we'll have to translate the wisdom and spirit of Lincoln into Twitter feeds and videos, etc––somehow. It's all about hearts and minds and how to reach them, isn't it.
My thought is that we reconcile ourselves to whatever may come, knowing who were are, what we stand for, and what we'll fight for––that alone is beauty and hope for me.
I just finished that next Lincoln piece. It shows he was willing to die for the cause of stopping slavery expansion. Is that what would pull us through, that type of courage of conviction?