Comments From Concerned Americans
“In school, I remember reading about certain historical events (government coups, protests turning deadly, militaries turning on civilians) and thinking they could never happen here and now. Not in America. Not in the land of the free. Not in the greatest country the world has ever seen. Our rights would always be protected by the Constitution, right?
“It is unfathomable to see what is happening in and to America right now. The people tasked with leading our country do not care about their constituents. They have no intention of making things better or ‘great’. They are consumed with power and the idea of a fascist state. They want to eliminate their political ‘enemies’ and anyone who opposes the cult they have become. And day-by-day, inch-by-inch, they are dragging us in that direction. The power of propaganda and misinformation has always been formidable, but nothing like it is today.
“I cannot express how important the 2026 midterms will be. They could very well represent the last chance we have to save America; to save our RIGHTS and our freedoms; to save worldwide democracies; and the to save the future for our children. There is no time to wait. Fxxx fascism. Make your voice heard now. Be loud. RESIST and PERSIST.” —Andy Strasser, San Diego, CA
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“When I took the oath to enlist in the Navy, I swore to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same, to obey the orders of the president and appointed officers according to the Uniform code of military justice. Key points in this oath are constitutional commitment and the principles of American Democracy. Not to a specific individual or political party. While it does direct us to obey the orders of the president, It also places emphasis heavily on the constitution. Now we are engaged in a battle with an administration that is attempting to dismantle our constitution, a president that wants to use our American cities as a training ground for our military to support his own political agenda and to intimidate our citizens. I served my 20 plus years under 6 different presidents. Never did I worry about their allegiance to the nation or our constitution. That is no longer the case. What do we do? We practice our first amendment rights. We speak out and support sites such as this. We spread the true word and the facts, not the fiction and lies. It’s time to stand up and be heard.” –MCPO Parke Manuel, USN retired, South Chesterfield, VA
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“I want you to understand that we are part of the natural world. And even today, when the planet is dark, there still is hope. Don’t lose hope. If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing…You have it in your power to make a difference. Don’t give up. There is a future for you. Do your best while you’re still on this beautiful Planet Earth that I look down upon from where I am now.” Famed primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall in a Netflix interview prior to her death
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“I’m always amazed at the apathy of my fellow human beings. Even many of us on the liberal side seem to have lost our way. During WWII, there was a popular resistance. People didn’t enjoy what they were doing while participating in the movement, but they understood the brutal ramifications of not doing so.
“Today, we find ourselves in a situation that has some strong parallels. American Democracy is giving way to authoritarianism and fascism. Much like during the populist movements under Mussolini, Franco and Hitler, control of our future is at stake today. Authoritarianism and fascism, mixed with misdirection, obfuscation, outright lies, ignorance of the Constitution and the Rule of Law, throwing relationships with our allies into the wind while forging new relationships with our enemies, all blended together and managed via a three-ring circus of wholly unqualified cabinet members. If it was some other nation, we would be laughing at all of this. But it’s not. But one has to wonder if we are witnessing the destruction of our uniquely American form of government.
“But the point here is that we must all play a role in the resistance. And that is what this site is all about. It’s a good message. It’s a laudable goal. It’s something we can all take part in, regardless of our station in life or our age.
“What we cannot do is sit back and watch this great nation, for which our forefathers and many of our contemporaries willingly spilled their blood to defend and protect, slowly come apart at the seams. If it does, it will largely happen because of apathy and ignorance in American culture. Listen to what the writers are saying here on this site. Pick something you are passionate about. Set small, achievable goals, build routines that are oriented toward some aspect of resistance and, above all, focus on your values! Together, all of our small efforts will have impact and real meaning. Be part of the machine that stops this insanity!”
Robert Last, Venice, FL, Author of the Weekly Rant (robertlast.substack.com)
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“It is my belief that every citizen can contribute to the betterment of our country and has an obligation to protect it when it comes under attack. We do not need to pick up a gun to fight, however I believe we betray those who have fought and sacrificed in times of war if we simply turn our backs on the current assaults on our democracy and do nothing. If my dad and uncles could fight for four years in WWII, I can step up to serve when my turn comes – and that time is now. I can protest the attacks on our Constitution, the dismantling of services provided to the most vulnerable of our citizens, and the increase in racism. I can write letters to elected officials, boycott businesses that canceled DEI policies, write postcards to encourage people to vote, and contribute to organizations challenging the current administration’s orders in court and to those providing critical social services that are losing their federal funding. In short, I can push back on tyranny and cruelty wherever and whenever I see it and I invite you to do the same.”
–Kathy Frederick Louv
Registered Republican, Julian, CA
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“Everyone has a role to play in shaping the world around them. Whether it is volunteering in your community by assisting at an animal shelter or seeking public office, each of us can be a change agent. Think about something you did that made a difference. If you decided to do something else that day, that change might not have happened. Even small actions like signing petitions and sending letters to decision makers can be impactful.
“For example, we know that the new administration is going to reduce or curtail environmental protections. So, planting milkweed or pollinator-friendly gardens is something many of us can do and these actions can add to more habitat for butterflies and other pollinators.
“Whatever the change is that any of us would like to see, the important part is taking that first step.”
–Mitch Merry, Baltimore, MD
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“What is this “American democracy” thing, anyway? After nearly eight decades living within it, I’m still not sure, exactly. But while watching my immigrant father actively support democratic institutions—even those he didn’t agree with—all his life, and spending significant chunks of my own life in 25 countries—including monarchies, Communist regimes, oligarchies, democracies-in-name-only, kleptocracies, etc.—during careers in education, government and industry, I suppose I may have some fairly accurate assessments of what American democracy isn’t and, from my own experiences and those of my immigrant forebears, I believe I may know something about what it takes to keep American democracy healthy and vibrant.
“What a true democracy isn’t is when everything worth owning, including the government, belongs to the wealthy “citizens” who couldn’t care less about what’s going on for the majority population because they’ve bought an alternative reality unfettered by boundaries or laws, and that suits them just fine. For me, what democracy requires to remain healthy and vibrant are gardeners—those who are willing to perform the never-ending chores required to keep it healthy and productive—active participants in the mechanisms of a truly representative government.”
Jim Nunn, Seattle, WA
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“When Trump’s Project 2025 barrage of disturbing actions first started, I wanted to hide from it. I didn’t see how I could survive two years of this. But a few weeks ago, I was watching “My Generation,” a special from MSNBC. It is about what the boomers did in the ’60’s, including the protesting and helping to end the Vietnam war. That effort seemed impossible when it began. We had no power except as a mass of people. The police beat us and arrested us. The Nixon crew plotted against us using the FBI. But with MLK’s model fresh in our hearts and minds, we protested, marched and boycotted. It took years to end that war, but it happened. It took all types of resistance.
“That is what is needed from us today. We can’t hide from the current administration and its leader. And don’t pay so much attention that you suffer from it. Find a suitable “news diet.” Limit your information portions to what you can stand and don’t do more. Take care of your sanity BUT you must resist T’s tyranny. It will take EVERYTHING we can throw at him just as he and his cronies are throwing everything at us each day. We need boycotts of billionaire companies, phone calls, texts and emails to Congressional reps, financial support for resistance websites like Indivisible and Tesla Takedown, people in the streets with organized (and legal) protests and marches and anything else that might help. We need to support the fired government workers who were making a difference. We need to fight in court. Find your lane and serve in the resistance in some capacity. You may have to be uncomfortable in order to resist. But please don’t hide. If you believe that what is going on in the White House is illegal, immoral, unethical or un-American, please be of service. Your country needs all of us!”
Lon Bailey, Arroyo Grande, CA
Return to a Decent, Normal America 