The recent passing away of Bill Moyers brought tears to my eyes and then a long remembrance of his work in our culture and politics. One of his most important gifts to American Life was his curiosity and study of our people. Before he left us, Bill identified the corrupting influence of concentrated wealth in our politics. As usual, he put his finger on the most serious threat to democracy in our history: the corrupting power of greed on human character.
Month: June 2025
Caring for Yourself in Extreme Heat
Public Lands: The Latest Theft
Another steal from the American Public is the legislation in a massive reconciliation bill currently being debated in a Republican led Congress. Because it is a “reconciliation bill” it can pass with a simple majority which the MAGA Republicans currently enjoy. No Democrats are part of the discussion by design. Yesterday, it came to light that over the next decade, 258M acres (40% of all public lands) will be sold to the highest bidders in another twisted method (aka putting 14M people at risk of losing medical care) to save a buck. Why? All to give the richest Americans tax relief.
What are public lands? When the U.S. became a union, there were vast stretches of land and waters in each state or region that states agreed to give to the new government to manage. Few if any Euro-Americans knew much about these habitats and bioregions. Native American tribes lived on what became public lands, which their descendants stewarded over millennia on this continent.
Now these lands are not only at risk of being sold, some of them carry mandates for extraction of minerals and logging quotas.
See Wes Siler’s Substack: https://wessiler.substack.com/p/lee-daines-amendment-now-threatens
The MAGA Republicans have no moral compass.
Go here to learn what you can do now before this bill is voted into law.
Militarization Against Freedom Loving Americans
The Constitution of the United States of America was written and approved by a body of men representing people whose life experience had been lived in the shadow of monarchies and despots of Europe who had ruled for millennia.
These men created a form of government, a republic, that is democratic and representational. It’s organizing principle is the “separation of powers.”
The separation of powers distributes legal authority among three core function of governance: 1) legislative; 3) executive; 4) judicial. This is the backbone of our form of democracy that specifically addresses the experience and fear of our Founders that the executive could become vested with too much power.
In June of 2025 the American government has rested power from the legislature and challenges the Supreme Court for ever greater executive power under Donald J. Trump. He openly defies the laws set forth in the Constitution.
The MAGA movement, MAGA Republicans (a right-wing Christian Nationalism movement) masquerading as the Grand Old Republican Party, bows to Trump and follows his every wish. These then are enemies of democracy in power in Washington and across Republican states.
Since taking office in January of 2025, and through hundreds of Executive Orders, Trump and his administration are openly defying the Constitution. The American public, including many people who voted for this president, are waking up to the daily assaults on our freedoms and exercise of justice under the law. Our rights as citizens are being eroded by this steady chipping away at the principles of justice and fairness that have been the bulwark of our constitutional form of governance.
On top of this is a president who does not know history, law, or the long held democratic norms of behavior established through 250 years of democratic governance and public life. Democratic values are under assault under his autocratic behavior and intent.
So tomorrow on Flag Day, a celebration of the establishment of the U.S. Army and the hallowed flag of America, a massive military parade with tanks and guns will fill the streets of our capitol with the self- appointed king in tow.
Join millions of freedom loving Americans turning out across our nation to celebrate No Kings Day – a peaceful demonstration by Americans who love democracy and will stand strong to prevent its demise at the hands of a would-be emperor. Maybe then you’ll notice, his intent is naked before us.
Hans Christian Anderson Parable: https://medium.com/@mattimore/parable-the-emperor-has-no-clothes-ace63fef6eb8
Certain About Democracy
“In the final analysis, a democratic government represents the sum total of the courage and the integrity of its individuals. It cannot be better than they are.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
I love this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt for its wisdom and emphasis that our government, our democracy, is no better and no worse than each of us.
My parents, born during the Depression, taught their daughters that being in a democracy requires us to do our part in exercising the rights of citizens. They were always engaged in voting, reading history and political analysis. Wherever we lived (we moved frequently as a military family), my parents joined a church community, showed up at PTA and school functions, and loved engaging with neighbors. Of course there was a web of relationships because TV was just three major channels, and Americans on the whole shared similar beliefs about democracy no matter their declared political party.
True Story: My great grandfather on my Dad’s side of the family tree was Andrew Jackson Feathers. He was a small farmer in East Tennessee and, according to Dad, a real raconteur of his village (Watauga). My Dad as a young boy accompanied Andy Jackson on his horse drawn wagon filled with fresh produce from his farm. They would stop at small markets in the hollers and hills in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. At each stop, there would be an ongoing discussion among locals about politics, economics and news of the day. Dad was an active listener and adopted the habit of engagement in his time and government.
We need to think clearly about the elements of our current social structure on the family to federal levels. What was working in a time when we shared the basic beliefs about democratic governance sans party considerations?
It’s easy to grow sentimental about the “good old days” which of course were not good for many Americans. But, I think there was something very wholesome about America when we actually all agreed that democracy was a precious thing worthy of protection and the exercise of its basic principles.
National Constitution Center is a great source of civic education!
Abraham Verghese Address to Harvard Graduates
“Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” – Emma Lazarus, 1883
Abraham Verghese, Physician and world renowned author, gave a brilliant and timely graduation address at Harvard which will long ring with clarity about what the American people and government intended to create and preserve.
Verghese’s 334th Commencement Address at Harvard. Harvard Gazette Article
The gentle quiet voice of truth and wisdom reminds his audience what America is about and how immigrants are central to America’s strength and social compact for the betterment of all who come to these shores to make a life.
Susan Feathers 