I recall even Ronald Reagan noted that when we come to these shores, we become American by virtue of shared ideals. You can arrive in New York, plunk yourself down among thousands who can't speak English very well (some barely at all) but still find yourself at home with others in exactly the same boat. Not so with so many other countries where identity is determined by blood, by lineage, language or ancient ties. In America, you're American because you want to be one.
It would be useful to hone in on any element of our creed that a MAGA really cares about. I think that is "not to be dominated." We don't quite get to that visceral reaction that we need with phrases about rule of law, due process, and even rights which are too often associated with the weak under the assumption that the strong have no worries. But when you tell stories of unjust domination, then a Maga might twinge and think, "back off, leave him alone." The raid of the family in OK has that quality. Thugs tearing your place apart and stealing your money. That's un-American for all.
I might revise the idea to be that America exists, when it exists, as a good faith engagement with the question of what it means to realize those ideals.
Who amongst us is striving towards realizing these ideals.? Do we have leaders? Thank you and your associates for your role in pointing out our shared responsibilities.
Thank you for this, and for your ongoing research. During this tumultuous time, the elephant in the room is not a person or a party, but what is happening to our country. Where this is leading us. It is assuring to know that is being addressed. Again - thank you.
I have followed Colin Woodard's research for awhile. It is extremely interesting. I like that his research highlights the incredible regional diversity of this country. It is a fact that these diverse cultural perspectives can lead to personal antipathy between regions and groups. But, as pointed out in the article we have a way to bridge all those gaps.
People will respond to a call for universal values. Economic messaging is important because it imparts our empathy with people's struggles. However, if economic messaging is not also paired with a demand that the law apply equally and that it not be used to persecute and oppress, then people can become antagonistic toward those who seem to be coming to take their stuff.
Trump implies this at every turn. It is his ace in the hole. He gestures at an economic message, but it is not. It is really setting one group off against each other based on a false zero-sum game. We must emphasize that Americans can have economic justice for everyone, not just the chosen few.
If it's anything to go by, when NPR posted excerpts of the Declaration of Independence on what was then Twitter, MAGAlomaniacs immediately mistook it for "socialist propaganda" targeted at Trump.
Thank you for these thoughts. Here are two another nice references for founding values that are lesser known but worth reminding ourselves of in these times.
Letter from George Washington to Touro Synagogue re: establishment of a new liberal nation dedicated to progressing beyond tolerance to achieve a fully integrated citizenry.
BE PREPARED and EDUCATE Democrats: 2026 Midterm Elections DISENFRANCHISING VOTERS
Don’t be distracted PEOPLE There won’t be any more free and fair elections after 2024 according to Trump https://bit.ly/3FqVCYa July 27, 2024
This bit.ly/41UelTx will open your eyes as to a RIGGED ELECTION by Republican power brokers Since they were successful in 2024 they now have a plan for all future elections And Trump has removed all agencies that would protect future elections CISA(Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency), EI-ISAC (Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center), EAC(Elections Assistance Agency), FEC(Federal Election Commission)
Vigilante Inc America’s New Voter Suppression Hitmen https://bit.ly/3DM7d3F outlines a voter stealing project originating out of the Georgia Republican party but now spreading to many states and by state legislative actions that led up to the rigged 2024 election(in 2024 9 states had laws allowing vigilante voter rejection….4 of them swing states) The vigilante movement’s sole purpose was to deny voters particularly Black voters their right to vote It’s out of the 1946 KKK violent Black voter suppression playbook with a contemporary 21st century twist that evolved out of the Big Lie movement after 2020 In the 2024 election the removal of 3.5million with voting rights by an estimated 40,000 vigilantes worked to knowingly eliminate voters This 3.5m votes would have been enough for Harris/Waltz to be elected
Voter intimidation by creating fear amongst the electorate particularly among the Black leads to voter suppression It would not be surprising that part of Trump’s pardoning of the J6 insurrectionists among many others is to use them as vigilantes or an armed militia to suppress not only the Black vote but the white Democrat vote This is probably in full swing as you read this
Don’t be naïve Don’t vote provisionally because it won’t be counted Vote early to be sure that the voter registration is secure and be wide awake We are reliving the beginnings of Hitler's Nazi Germany
I think this is important research that should be messaged
let's meet in The Big Middle, where most Americans are, and come to consensus on solutions to our common problems
I recall even Ronald Reagan noted that when we come to these shores, we become American by virtue of shared ideals. You can arrive in New York, plunk yourself down among thousands who can't speak English very well (some barely at all) but still find yourself at home with others in exactly the same boat. Not so with so many other countries where identity is determined by blood, by lineage, language or ancient ties. In America, you're American because you want to be one.
It would be useful to hone in on any element of our creed that a MAGA really cares about. I think that is "not to be dominated." We don't quite get to that visceral reaction that we need with phrases about rule of law, due process, and even rights which are too often associated with the weak under the assumption that the strong have no worries. But when you tell stories of unjust domination, then a Maga might twinge and think, "back off, leave him alone." The raid of the family in OK has that quality. Thugs tearing your place apart and stealing your money. That's un-American for all.
I might revise the idea to be that America exists, when it exists, as a good faith engagement with the question of what it means to realize those ideals.
Critics of Democratic messaging would do well to share this research with their Reps. imo.
Even more importantly, we should all use this as a starting point in our face to face conversations irl.
Who amongst us is striving towards realizing these ideals.? Do we have leaders? Thank you and your associates for your role in pointing out our shared responsibilities.
Thank you for this, and for your ongoing research. During this tumultuous time, the elephant in the room is not a person or a party, but what is happening to our country. Where this is leading us. It is assuring to know that is being addressed. Again - thank you.
I have followed Colin Woodard's research for awhile. It is extremely interesting. I like that his research highlights the incredible regional diversity of this country. It is a fact that these diverse cultural perspectives can lead to personal antipathy between regions and groups. But, as pointed out in the article we have a way to bridge all those gaps.
People will respond to a call for universal values. Economic messaging is important because it imparts our empathy with people's struggles. However, if economic messaging is not also paired with a demand that the law apply equally and that it not be used to persecute and oppress, then people can become antagonistic toward those who seem to be coming to take their stuff.
Trump implies this at every turn. It is his ace in the hole. He gestures at an economic message, but it is not. It is really setting one group off against each other based on a false zero-sum game. We must emphasize that Americans can have economic justice for everyone, not just the chosen few.
Beautifully written and it needs to be shared widely. I'll do my part.
If it's anything to go by, when NPR posted excerpts of the Declaration of Independence on what was then Twitter, MAGAlomaniacs immediately mistook it for "socialist propaganda" targeted at Trump.
https://www.snopes.com/news/2017/07/06/nprs-declaration-independence-tweets/
Thank you for these thoughts. Here are two another nice references for founding values that are lesser known but worth reminding ourselves of in these times.
Monument to Forefathers
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Monument_to_the_Forefathers
Letter from George Washington to Touro Synagogue re: establishment of a new liberal nation dedicated to progressing beyond tolerance to achieve a fully integrated citizenry.
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-06-02-0135
BE PREPARED and EDUCATE Democrats: 2026 Midterm Elections DISENFRANCHISING VOTERS
Don’t be distracted PEOPLE There won’t be any more free and fair elections after 2024 according to Trump https://bit.ly/3FqVCYa July 27, 2024
This bit.ly/41UelTx will open your eyes as to a RIGGED ELECTION by Republican power brokers Since they were successful in 2024 they now have a plan for all future elections And Trump has removed all agencies that would protect future elections CISA(Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency), EI-ISAC (Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center), EAC(Elections Assistance Agency), FEC(Federal Election Commission)
Vigilante Inc America’s New Voter Suppression Hitmen https://bit.ly/3DM7d3F outlines a voter stealing project originating out of the Georgia Republican party but now spreading to many states and by state legislative actions that led up to the rigged 2024 election(in 2024 9 states had laws allowing vigilante voter rejection….4 of them swing states) The vigilante movement’s sole purpose was to deny voters particularly Black voters their right to vote It’s out of the 1946 KKK violent Black voter suppression playbook with a contemporary 21st century twist that evolved out of the Big Lie movement after 2020 In the 2024 election the removal of 3.5million with voting rights by an estimated 40,000 vigilantes worked to knowingly eliminate voters This 3.5m votes would have been enough for Harris/Waltz to be elected
Voter intimidation by creating fear amongst the electorate particularly among the Black leads to voter suppression It would not be surprising that part of Trump’s pardoning of the J6 insurrectionists among many others is to use them as vigilantes or an armed militia to suppress not only the Black vote but the white Democrat vote This is probably in full swing as you read this
Don’t be naïve Don’t vote provisionally because it won’t be counted Vote early to be sure that the voter registration is secure and be wide awake We are reliving the beginnings of Hitler's Nazi Germany
STOP NAZI ELECTION SUBVERSION