And Now For the Truth
It's about to hit the fan
Hello, friends. I’m just getting over what I think must have been RSV, but I wasn’t tested so I can’t be sure. All of the symptoms were there: fever, chills, coughing, coughing, coughing, coughing. For days and days and days. Now it’s once or twice an hour, so it’s manageable. But I’m here today because during all that time I’ve been thinking.
Because of the distractions that kind of sickness brings, and for other reasons I’ll get into, I’ve been spending a lot of time on Twitter instead of writing longer pieces. I’ve also been looking at all of the Twitter alternatives, in case Elon really does make it unbearable, because I’m a believer in the impact of social media. I need the give and take of it, and I’ve carefully managed my interactions to build a community of like-minded citizens.
Yes, citizens.
I’m living in a country now that seems to forget that every adult citizen has an obligation to the society we live in. The goal is to live together peacefully. We’re not savages. We thrive when everyone has an opportunity to thrive. Most of us practice this in our own homes, in our own neighborhoods, but when it comes to the entire country, we put blinders on. Not our problem.
We vote as if we’re voting in a celebrity contest. A contest without consequences. Some will actually say it out loud, even when the stakes are highest, “I just didn’t like him/her”. As if that’s reason enough.
Part of my frustration comes from having spent decades warning against exactly what has happened to us without ever once seeing it pay off. The payoff would be a major lean toward democratic rule. Instead, it’s shifting course before our very eyes.
Democracy is not perfect and never will be, but we’ve seen the alternative—we’re in the midst of it. I don’t know about you, but I still have a major stake in this fight. It’s not over until democracy wins.
The truth is, my kind of political activism isn’t popular here at Constant Commoner, and, as the owner, that’s not acceptable. I’m thrilled that I have 240 subscribers—not a huge number by Substack standards—and a dozen paid subscribers (my undying thanks), but I understand that most of you are here for my general interest stories.
That’s wonderful. I love the responses to those stories, and I don’t plan on stopping them, but I feel as if I’m hiding in my own space when I avoid posting my political views for fear of offending you. I know many of you are offended because I rarely get comments when I post political opinions, and, in fact, I lose subscribers.
But I can’t do it anymore. This is my space. I love that you’re here, but I can’t honestly keep it going by trying to please you so much I lose the essence of who I am and what I’m trying to do here. My opinions are a part of me and always have been. I make no bones about it on my “About” page, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise.
So here’s the deal:
Until we’re free of this mess we’re in, until the rogue elements threatening our government have been eradicated, until I see some progress on human rights and human dignity, I’ll be writing what my heart tells me I should be writing, and I’ll be doing it right here in this space.
If it’s political it may at times spill out everywhere, but the main features will be in the Politics section. You can opt out if you choose, but I hope you won’t. I hope you’re as committed to this fight as I am, and you’re willing to say so. We’re long past the point of wishing away the political turmoil or pretending it’s not happening.
It’s happening and I’ll never believe there’s a person in this country who isn’t well aware of it. Choosing to stay out of it is like pretending the schoolyard bully isn’t hurting anyone because so far you’re safe. Except this isn’t a schoolyard, it’s our country. And nobody is safe. Not even those siding with the bullies, though they don’t know it yet.
If this sounds like I’m bullying you, you’ve got it all wrong. This isn’t a threat, it’s a promise. I’m going there and I hope you’ll come with me. If not, it’s your choice. Not an ultimatum, a choice.
Again, thanks for being here. Thanks for reading this. Thanks for everything.
(You can follow me here on Twitter. It’s my war room at the moment and will be until it’s no longer there.)
Preach, sister!
Back in 2017, when tfg's first move was to ban Muslim immigrants, I decided to go public on Facebook as a descendant of despised immigrants and a liberal who believes immigrants have always been the backbone and beating heart of the United States. If imy politics cost me readers, so be it. In the first week, I went from 1700 to 30,000+ followers on Facebook. Speak up and speak truth. Be not afraid.