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Celebrate America — Save Our Democracy!
How to Believe in America.
As the Fourth of July approaches, this year feels different. I’ve been wondering what patriotism means, and how we ought to celebrate, when our hold on democracy continues to be so tenuous.
But I have worked my way from weary to hopeful. Let me tell you how I got there.
As a woman, it’s been hard to come to terms with the grim reality of recent days. Donald Trump may not be president anymore, but his intensified corrupt influence continues to poison our country. The Supreme Court, dominated by politicized justices he appointed, are seeking to take basic human rights away from Americans, starting with half the population — preferring to hurtle our nation backward.
Trumpers — with contempt for the truth and disdain for the rule of law — want to grab power by suppressing as many votes as possible rather than actually representing us, their constituents. Mr. Trump’s coup attempt on January 6th, 2021 thankfully failed, but he and his hangers-on seem hell-bent on trying again. This is disheartening if not downright alarming.
Last week, Pastor John Pavlovitz wrote an open letter to his young daughter about his frustration and profound sadness that America has failed her:
I’ve lived all of my life believing in…