Savaging the Republic

The divine right of kings is a lie; monarchy runs against God’s plans. ~ Thomas Paine, Common Sense.

“We have an opportunity to remake America and make it an example of freedom for the world; we should seize it. I shall conclude these remarks, with the following timely and well-intended hints. We ought to reflect, that there are three different ways by which an independancy may hereafter be effected; and that one of those three, will, one day or other, be the fate of America, viz. By the legal voice of the people in Congress; by a military power; or by a mob: It may not always happen that our soldiers are citizens, and the multitude a body of reasonable men; virtue, as I have already remarked, is not hereditary, neither is it perpetual. Should an independancy be brought about by the first of those means, we have every opportunity and every encouragement before us, to form the noblest, purest constitution on the face of the earth. We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand, and a race of men, perhaps as numerous as all Europe contains, are to receive their portion of freedom from the events of a few months. The reflection is awful, and in this point of view, how trifling, how ridiculous, do the little paltry cavilings of a few weak or interested men appear, when weighed against the business of a world.

“Let’s unite on behalf of America and win our independence. ”

~ Common Sense, Thomas Paine.

The History of the Present King

Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.

Below is a link to Judge J. Michael Luttig reading of the rights and grievances in the Declaration of Independence. I urge you to listen to his reading.

https://substack.com/inbox/post/167275550

Link to section of the Declaration of Independence including the list of grievances which are present almost word for word for the present regime (not an administration because that would imply it is a democratic leadership).

Bill Moyers: An American for Our Times

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.

Public Lands: The Latest Theft

Back Bay Wildlife Refuge, Virginia Beach, VA – photo by Susan Feathers 2022

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

Learn more about “The Emperor’s New Clothes” original parable published in “The Little Mermaid” in 1837. It was a tale about a vain emperor exposed by his subjects.

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.

Gatherings were common in my family. We entertained ourselves with lively discussions.

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.

The Greatest Steal: American Liberty

“Sell not liberty to purchase power.” ~ Benjamin Franklin

Freedom loving Americans feel the crumbling foundation of what generations of Americans strove to create and preserve: a republic founded on principles of freedom and fairness. A governance structure that protects the rights of everyone and works for the betterment of its people and people everywhere.

We are not a naive people yet even the most politically active citizen and public servant is in a state of shock as we watch the brazen violation of our laws to achieve another kind of society with autocratic governance. A nation not conceived in liberty but rather for control of the individual by the powerful.

There are no words to describe how I feel at this moment. It is like watching someone you love being drawn and quartered. Our collective screams and sobs are everywhere now as the full impact of destruction becomes apparent.

To listen to Donald Trump rant and rave, burble and goo, to witness his making a travesty of our seats of government, throw off and denigrate our allies and alliances bought with the blood of Americans, is simply a horror.

Behind him are the men and women doing the hacking and imprisoning: Steven Miller, Kristy Noem, Pam Bondi, and the king of it all, Russell Vought. Like automatons with weapons they bow and scrape in front of the menace while checking off their list of targets. Vought is the man behind the Project 2025, their Playbook of Terribles. Developed with the Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 intends to create what it believes was the true America. But it has been corrupted with Christian Nationalism and white male supremacy and turns its blade to people it perceives as enemies and to the “other”.

There is only this now: rise and go forth and join the growing throngs of Americans willing to lay down their lives and livelihoods for Liberty. Rise and never rest until the whole lot of the MAGAs are removed. Then we must rebuild all that has been destroyed and with greater energy and purpose.

The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. We know that now.

History and Justice