Hey Sarah, I just finished your book last night and am recommending it to everyone I know! Thank you so much for your diligence, compassion, insight, laser focused evaluation of Democrats messaging/weaknesses and your inspirational message that we can do this if we work together in a positive, smart and communal way! Let’s bring it on!!
What stayed with me most was the reminder that ordinary people are not powerless.
Democracy cannot survive on autopilot. It depends on people who are willing to pay attention, speak honestly, defend the rights of others, and refuse to let fear drive them into silence. We may disagree about policies, parties, and plenty of other things, but peaceful participation and the courage to use our voices should never belong to only one side.
Maybe none of us can fix everything. But we can refuse indifference. We can keep showing up, asking questions, helping our neighbors, demanding accountability, and reminding the people who hold power that they work for the public.
“Be not afraid” is a powerful message because fear has a way of convincing people that their voice doesn't matter. It does.
Number 2 on the NYT nonfiction list and 12 places ahead of the drivel somebody ghost-wrote for Cancun Ted (which should be on the fiction list but I digress)!!! Congrats Sarah! I'm at Chapter 8 but love it so far. Thanks for all you do.
This is the truth. Thank you Sarah for reminding me that standing up and talking to strangers is a powerful tool and every time we speak out in a public forum we are putting out more than words. We have an energy that others can join when we show them what to do. The countless little things that add up to waking up.
Looking forward to seeing to you and David in Chicago in a few hours, G_ d willing. The “big and broad” ideological coalition that you wrote about here is the absolute most beautiful thing, IMHO, as long as people are acting in good faith.
Because, to quote from the Book of Proverbs, “Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We can formulate better public policy when be learn from each other and consider differing perspectives.
Hence, the only red lines for Americans to be on Team Democracy, AFAIC, should be not engaging in baseless hatred and/or not advocating for policies that are hostile to the ideals enshrined in the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution (both of which are obviously somewhat subjective).
And maybe the new vision that you wrote about here should be a new social and political paradigm, and transcendent national interest, centered exclusively around freedom, democracy human rights, social justice, economic equality, eco-sanity and sustainability, loving relationships with G_d almighty, other human beings, and animals; and love of natural beauty, and beautiful art and architecture (which are all also somewhat subjective partly because all of these things are sometimes in the eye of the beholder).
let's meet in The Big Middle, where most Americans are, and come to consensus on practical solutions to our common problems. join and add your voice today at 11 am on Substack LIVE
Oh Sarah. So beautifully said. Thank you. In northern farmland Montana, there’s a big farmer who has Trump signs all along the fence of his property. I wonder how he’s doing today under Trump. To paraphrase a famous quote “…..when they came for me, there was no one left to speak for me.”
They are all terrible and I knew long ago Sarah! I'm old but I am with you 100%! we need people like you Sarah! Thank you!
Hey Sarah, I just finished your book last night and am recommending it to everyone I know! Thank you so much for your diligence, compassion, insight, laser focused evaluation of Democrats messaging/weaknesses and your inspirational message that we can do this if we work together in a positive, smart and communal way! Let’s bring it on!!
We all need to be the Minnesotans who fought off ICE….we all need to be in DC on January 2nd demanding elected Democrats be seated into Congress
What stayed with me most was the reminder that ordinary people are not powerless.
Democracy cannot survive on autopilot. It depends on people who are willing to pay attention, speak honestly, defend the rights of others, and refuse to let fear drive them into silence. We may disagree about policies, parties, and plenty of other things, but peaceful participation and the courage to use our voices should never belong to only one side.
Maybe none of us can fix everything. But we can refuse indifference. We can keep showing up, asking questions, helping our neighbors, demanding accountability, and reminding the people who hold power that they work for the public.
“Be not afraid” is a powerful message because fear has a way of convincing people that their voice doesn't matter. It does.
Number 2 on the NYT nonfiction list and 12 places ahead of the drivel somebody ghost-wrote for Cancun Ted (which should be on the fiction list but I digress)!!! Congrats Sarah! I'm at Chapter 8 but love it so far. Thanks for all you do.
All that is necessary to understand Donnie Johnnie is to look into his eyes.
This is the truth. Thank you Sarah for reminding me that standing up and talking to strangers is a powerful tool and every time we speak out in a public forum we are putting out more than words. We have an energy that others can join when we show them what to do. The countless little things that add up to waking up.
Hi Sarah,
Looking forward to seeing to you and David in Chicago in a few hours, G_ d willing. The “big and broad” ideological coalition that you wrote about here is the absolute most beautiful thing, IMHO, as long as people are acting in good faith.
Because, to quote from the Book of Proverbs, “Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We can formulate better public policy when be learn from each other and consider differing perspectives.
Hence, the only red lines for Americans to be on Team Democracy, AFAIC, should be not engaging in baseless hatred and/or not advocating for policies that are hostile to the ideals enshrined in the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution (both of which are obviously somewhat subjective).
And maybe the new vision that you wrote about here should be a new social and political paradigm, and transcendent national interest, centered exclusively around freedom, democracy human rights, social justice, economic equality, eco-sanity and sustainability, loving relationships with G_d almighty, other human beings, and animals; and love of natural beauty, and beautiful art and architecture (which are all also somewhat subjective partly because all of these things are sometimes in the eye of the beholder).
Best,
David Hurwitz
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/09/united-states-must-protect-female-prisoners-sex-based-violence-privacy
⚖️ The Judges Who Held Up the Walls
In a land where the rights of the people stand tall,
Where justice must answer the loudest of calls,
There’s a team wearing robes in the courthouse halls—
The Article III judges who held up the walls. 🏛️
Appointed for life with responsibilities grand,
They serve “during good behavior” as the founders had planned.
No President’s pressure, no Senate’s sharp roar
Can bend how they judge or what truth they restore. 📜
In ninety-four districts from hillsides to docks,
They listen to evidence, gavels and clocks.
They keep every trial fair, steady, and clean—
The “front line” of justice that protects the unseen. ⚖️
Then upward it travels where Circuit Courts sit,
Thirteen courts of appeals with sharp legal wit.
In panels of three, they review every line—
“Was the law applied properly? Does reason align?” 📚
And when the Trump Admin pushed schemes out of range—
Orders unlawful, irregular, strange—
These judges stood firm, saying, “This cannot stand!
The Constitution guides us—not one single man!” 🛡️
They blocked cruel intentions, they halted misuse,
They stopped twisted power from turning law loose.
They steadied our freedoms through turbulence, fright—
A firewall of wisdom protecting our right. 🧱
From the highest of benches to the local domain,
They weathered the insults, the threats, and the strain.
A beacon of balance when democracy shook,
They ruled by the letter and held to the book. 📖
So here’s to the judges who anchored the ship,
Who wouldn’t let tyranny tighten its grip.
They honored the oath with integrity’s call—
The Article III judges who held up the walls. 🕯️
Defend Democracy —make your plan to Vote today. 🕯️
————————————
We are the Comment-Chain Crew and Resharing Brigade, boosting pro-democracy leadersand indie mediathrough fact-based PSAs so truth can grow!🌱
let's meet in The Big Middle, where most Americans are, and come to consensus on practical solutions to our common problems. join and add your voice today at 11 am on Substack LIVE
Oh Sarah. So beautifully said. Thank you. In northern farmland Montana, there’s a big farmer who has Trump signs all along the fence of his property. I wonder how he’s doing today under Trump. To paraphrase a famous quote “…..when they came for me, there was no one left to speak for me.”
I too am old! But I plan to be in DC on Jan 2nd!! I intend to use my big mouth for DEMOCRACY!!
Can’t wait to see you tonight, Sarah!! 🇺🇸
And ruthless👍