Indeed. I'm a songwriter of dark and melancholy tunes and while I've created characters to sing through (like the NumberMan, the Particle, Number 6 and others) I never thought to take it as far as X did. That is an exciting idea to try to try!
Make America America Again reminded me of the late great Langston Hughes poem "Let America Be America Again." Here's the some of the verses (below). The whole poem is remarkable to say the least. It's online and can be found by searching title.
" “All men are created equal” is a sentence that either means something or it means nothing. "
Damn right! Either EVERYONE counts or NO-ONE does! Simple as that. Your writing is most compelling which is why I subscribe (paid), like and restack your work continually. I will always do what I can, brotherman.
Sadly, most people don’t have the attention span to read an essay as long as this, but I want you to know how much I appreciate your work and insight. Keep writing and I especially enjoyed the links.
I will take the clear-headed hell of truth; for their promised heaven in the lie is built on lofty clouds that hold no weight.
Keep writing. This essay is one for the books. I could see the forefathers in the front row at SOTU. And for the first time, in a very long time, I had a sense of their hell in declaring a revolutionary truth. I’ll be thinking about it for awhile.
I love your writing. But my new medication for the illness that took away my career and put me on disability has a $120 monthly copay. Not sure how we are going to manage that. But maybe when the car we bought used is paid off in June, I'll be able to set aside $10 or $20 a month to support journalists like you.
Just as a snapshot into current America: I have a PhD but was forced into long-term disability/early retirement at 45. I'm now 60. I spend way too much time on the phone forcing insurance companies to honor their own goddamn contracted benefit packages. My husband is retired Air Force with two bachelor degrees and two masters. At 62, he works for the Comm of PA in human services, helping people make use of what social safety nets still exist. Combined income is $65k a year (military retirement pay hasn't kicked in yet), less than $5k of debt, but every month's budget has a razor thin margin. No cable tv, two basic streaming services, bargain basement home internet. Cheap phones, cheap cell plans. Our only saving grace is that our home is paid off. But we’re only a broken furnace or leaky roof away from a home improvement loan that will function like a new mortgage. One our budget has no room for. Every attempt at saving for big ticket home maintenance has gone to medical bills.
And yet politicians tell us the middle class is just fine and we're in a golden age.
X great piece. I look at it like. Two black men. Al Green had the sign. He got thrown out. He got into good trouble. You saw the white man grab and take it. It was a hostile grab. I noticed it. Tim Scott looking for his approval. And getting the cold shoulder. I would’ve liked to see Tim Scott walk out with Al green. Hand in hand. All the brothas should’ve walked out of there in Solidarity. Some things are bigger than politics. This might not be popular but when I saw Omar and Rashida yelling. I just thought we’ve seen this before. Do more. Yellings not gonna get us to Vote. Rashida has no right to yell. When she yelled free Palestine and sit out the election because she didn’t want to support Biden and the Democrats she put Michigan and Pennsylvania on a silver platter to Trump. He won with those swing states. That crushed Kamala. See I remember. So the man you are yelling at a Condemning you help put him in office and gave him power. You gave him power you gave him Power to put that policy in to have ICE agents Torment Americans and Kill Americans you scream about. Those elections have consequences. You allowed him to make it Democrats hate America see they aren’t standing We love America we’re standing. It’s the Trump playbook just like the Anthem and Kaepernick. The State of the union were Trumps greatest hits. We already knew the chorus. It’s stale. I think Democrats and Republicans are smarter now. Epstein is still out there. And so is the immigration Minnesota thing. Trump also went to the trans thing where he exploited a girl who clearly looked like she didn’t want to be a political pawn. This all broiles down to one thing. Are you going to Vote or not??? I hope yes. The midterms depend on it. They’ve already told you they’re showing up. Thank you X.
I do disagree with anyone not voting, but there were a lot more voters who stayed home for no freaking reason! Many many more!
Frankly, not voting because of the absolute slaughter in GAZA & BOTH parties not lifting a finger to stop it? AND Kamala not moving away from Biden's policy? Those are all mistakes - but Omar and Rashid's reasons for that - they were their own.
WHAT about all those lazy "citizens" who didnt even care enough to show up?
THOSE are the ones to blame! And they were not all MAGA voters!
I voted for Biden of course - certainly NOT because I agreed with the policies regarding GAZA - but it would be an icey cold day in hell before I would vote for this pedofile!
Listen, I know there isn’t one completely correct answer to this question so call it rhetorical if you want I guess. Does the blame lie completely with voters who didn’t bother to vote or a party that failed to pick a candidate and or message the inspired them to vote? Huuuuum
To be clear - I voted for Biden in 2020 - Kamala in 2024. Not because I was "inspired" to vote for her, but ANYONE other than trump. Actually that speaks for the reason so many didnt vote, I guess.
I read the other day that the DNC came up with a "report" as to why they lost the election - however, they refuse to make it public! Kind of telling, isnt it?
Here’s the deal. Look at Donald Trump. Look at every policy. Look at every decision he’s made in office. Look at what he’s said and done. The memes. The people he’s released and pardoned. Jeffrey Epstein. The files. Covering up stuff. The AG the DOJ.
That’s what you want in office??? Not you. But the people who didn’t vote. Talib Omar. If you say free Gaza. You’re gonna give your support to that guy??? That’s what I don’t understand. You say you’re making a statement and then you put this guy in power.
Policy is king. I don’t think Americans realize that. Trump puts in the policies. He allows Kristy Noem. He allows Miller to say send Bongineno to those cities.
So there’s a bigger picture. You mention Biden he had different policies.
I’m a campaign guy an did the candidate inspire me. Two time Obama voter and was moved by the yes we can campaign He was a community organizer.
I know Kamala didn’t move people. But I liked her policy. Experience AG in California San Francisco as a prosecutor. Tough on crime. That was Bidens boarder policy. She couldn’t get around being Boarder czar and that crushed her. There were issues. Not with me but people had issues being for Transgender. So you look at all of that. And we had a repeat of Hilary. No one’s voting for a woman.
This is what bugs me. All the protest from our side. Marches. All that. But I watched it and I heard people saying how great Trump was after January 6th. Politics got in the way. Being loud and In your face got in the way.
I got skin in the game. I was a huge guy for Talib. I supported Talib. Liked how her and AOC and Omar were new kids on the block. But after they took it too far.
Because the very things they were pushing for. We can’t get any of that done when you put a guy like this in office who says you come from shit hole countries.
Sometimes you have to put politics aside. Trump represents the old guard. Old white power establishment.
All we gained with Barrack Obama was bought back with Trump and now you have the elevation of Vance.
For the good. I thought Kamala was the pick. But like I’ve been saying. Elections have consequences.
Yes - I cant begin to comprehend how and why just not voting - period - would make any difference other than to put doofus in office! If GAZA was the reason to, shall we say, "abstain" from voting - WTF! WHY and how could any thinking human not understand what they were doing by not voting! I sure dont understand at all. And yeah, I completely agree regarding Obama - if he could have run for another term, I would have voted for him again. There were policys I disagreed with - as with any administration - but in my eyes, in my opinion, he sure as hell tried to do the right thing.
Because correcting him on a racist remark is not saying anything bad about him. He’s stood with him on every policy so I could see him wanting an approval.
Another outstanding essay, well-written, passionate and full of important ideas. I can relieve you of one question. You stated, "Maybe my writing sucks. Maybe the algorithm is playing games. Maybe Substack just isn’t the same as when I started." Your writing definitely, absolutely does not suck. It's excellent. Regarding the algorithm or Substack itself, I can't tell. I don't know about algorithms. I suspect there have been some changes in Substack. I've been here about 18 months now. The MSM is circling the drain while Substack is becoming more popular. People are taking notice of these trends. MSM may well be sponsoring attack bots to respond to Substack posts, and as more people view Substacks, we're starting to see a meaner crowd.
Now to the substance of the essay. Here are five ideas that stood out to me. To paraphrase Alexander Pope, true wit (or genius) is the ability to put something that everybody knows, feels, or can see for themselves into clear language that everybody can grasp.
'“All men are created equal” is a sentence that either means something or it means nothing. '
'Today’s elites want the benefits of freedom without the risk of truth. They want the flag, not the sacrifice. They want “America” as a brand, not as a burden.'
'Sitting in that chamber, watching people clap for kingly posture and call it patriotism.'
'A republic does not die when people stop saying the right words. It dies when they stop meaning them. '
'They’ve been trying to take America out of America. They want the flag without the promise. They want the anthem without the agreement. They want the language of freedom without the burden of equality. They want a country that looks like America but behaves like a kingdom.'
The last quote touches on something close to my own heart. For months on these sites I've been advocating for the opposition to this vile administration to frame their opposition in terms of the principles stated in our founding documents, and which Lincoln revivified in his Gettysburg Address. Speak those words to those in power. And to those whose votes you seek. And be sure you know what they mean when you do so. Link your appeal to those voters and the policies you propose directly to those principles. The duty of an opposition is to oppose, but to do so blindly and reflexively is pointless and tiresome. "We believe that ALL men are CREATED equal. For that reason, we propose....." "In order to establish justice, we propose...." "To promote the general welfare, we propose......" And so forth. These principles are not difficult to understand, even if the policies sometimes are, so the link between the policy and the principle needs to be made explicit. And restated, often, and loudly both to those in power and to the voters.
No Kings does that. Personally I liked the Hands Off theme of a year ago, because it added a human face to what was going on just a year ago. But I am very OK now with No KINGs.
Understand. And I'm looking forward to participating in the next NO KINGS demonstration. My comment was directed toward those who supposedly represent us in Congress.
Wow. I have to read again. And again Please keep writing. I don't always have the bandwidth to process completely, but I truly believe that we need your perspective. Thank you for putting it out there.
Beautiful writing! A joy to read in length, breadth, and depth. I look forward to your work in my inbox and reading, re-reading, and thinking deeply about it. Please keep writing great essays for as long as possible--they land more powerfully than any video and will endure longer. For as long as you write, I'm happy to amplify, share, and support your work financially. Thank you
The portrait of Frederick Douglass that you used was taken in Akron Ohio. He was friends with John Brown. Both were abolitionists. John wrote about their friendship and that Mr. Douglass believed in working through the system whereas Mr. Brown believed in using force to effect change.
I have deleted my previous comment about Brown, after reading more about him since I posted. My new take is that he was a major figure at the time but largely erased from history, due in part to the way Ken Burns maligned him.
You are brilliant and humble as a person along with your writing, Xavier! Thank you for your clarity and making feel very uncomfortable but not walking away while realizing the hell. And if you're that crazy uncle Making America America Again keep stopping by everyday, not just on Thanksgiving!👍🏼
Outstanding mind experiment! Please keep writing, I need to hear your voice. And I won't stop fighting for everyone's equality.
Indeed. I'm a songwriter of dark and melancholy tunes and while I've created characters to sing through (like the NumberMan, the Particle, Number 6 and others) I never thought to take it as far as X did. That is an exciting idea to try to try!
Hang in there. The truth is worth it. I appreciate your insights and candor. Your voice is important and needed. Thank you
I've read a lot of recaps of the SOTU , but yours is by far the best.!
Keep writing! I was up at 3:00 am last night too. What had me awake was my Anger!
I'm sometimes overcome by it.
I am doing what I can to stand up for and work for Equality for All.
We can not give up.
You're not alone, Kathy! There's lots of us!
Make America America Again reminded me of the late great Langston Hughes poem "Let America Be America Again." Here's the some of the verses (below). The whole poem is remarkable to say the least. It's online and can be found by searching title.
Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.
(America never was America to me.)
Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.
(It never was America to me.)
O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.
(There’s never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this “homeland of the free.”
Amazing. I will be processing this in my head at least for the next 24 hours.
" “All men are created equal” is a sentence that either means something or it means nothing. "
Damn right! Either EVERYONE counts or NO-ONE does! Simple as that. Your writing is most compelling which is why I subscribe (paid), like and restack your work continually. I will always do what I can, brotherman.
Sadly, most people don’t have the attention span to read an essay as long as this, but I want you to know how much I appreciate your work and insight. Keep writing and I especially enjoyed the links.
This was a breeze compared to a video! or podcast! Another excellent read.
I will take the clear-headed hell of truth; for their promised heaven in the lie is built on lofty clouds that hold no weight.
Keep writing. This essay is one for the books. I could see the forefathers in the front row at SOTU. And for the first time, in a very long time, I had a sense of their hell in declaring a revolutionary truth. I’ll be thinking about it for awhile.
I love your writing. But my new medication for the illness that took away my career and put me on disability has a $120 monthly copay. Not sure how we are going to manage that. But maybe when the car we bought used is paid off in June, I'll be able to set aside $10 or $20 a month to support journalists like you.
Just as a snapshot into current America: I have a PhD but was forced into long-term disability/early retirement at 45. I'm now 60. I spend way too much time on the phone forcing insurance companies to honor their own goddamn contracted benefit packages. My husband is retired Air Force with two bachelor degrees and two masters. At 62, he works for the Comm of PA in human services, helping people make use of what social safety nets still exist. Combined income is $65k a year (military retirement pay hasn't kicked in yet), less than $5k of debt, but every month's budget has a razor thin margin. No cable tv, two basic streaming services, bargain basement home internet. Cheap phones, cheap cell plans. Our only saving grace is that our home is paid off. But we’re only a broken furnace or leaky roof away from a home improvement loan that will function like a new mortgage. One our budget has no room for. Every attempt at saving for big ticket home maintenance has gone to medical bills.
And yet politicians tell us the middle class is just fine and we're in a golden age.
Sorry for the rant. It's been a frustrating day.
I think for most of us these days - frustrating is a pretty mild description, isnt it?
No apologies necessary for a rant - all of us really need one (or two) more often these days.
X great piece. I look at it like. Two black men. Al Green had the sign. He got thrown out. He got into good trouble. You saw the white man grab and take it. It was a hostile grab. I noticed it. Tim Scott looking for his approval. And getting the cold shoulder. I would’ve liked to see Tim Scott walk out with Al green. Hand in hand. All the brothas should’ve walked out of there in Solidarity. Some things are bigger than politics. This might not be popular but when I saw Omar and Rashida yelling. I just thought we’ve seen this before. Do more. Yellings not gonna get us to Vote. Rashida has no right to yell. When she yelled free Palestine and sit out the election because she didn’t want to support Biden and the Democrats she put Michigan and Pennsylvania on a silver platter to Trump. He won with those swing states. That crushed Kamala. See I remember. So the man you are yelling at a Condemning you help put him in office and gave him power. You gave him power you gave him Power to put that policy in to have ICE agents Torment Americans and Kill Americans you scream about. Those elections have consequences. You allowed him to make it Democrats hate America see they aren’t standing We love America we’re standing. It’s the Trump playbook just like the Anthem and Kaepernick. The State of the union were Trumps greatest hits. We already knew the chorus. It’s stale. I think Democrats and Republicans are smarter now. Epstein is still out there. And so is the immigration Minnesota thing. Trump also went to the trans thing where he exploited a girl who clearly looked like she didn’t want to be a political pawn. This all broiles down to one thing. Are you going to Vote or not??? I hope yes. The midterms depend on it. They’ve already told you they’re showing up. Thank you X.
I do disagree with anyone not voting, but there were a lot more voters who stayed home for no freaking reason! Many many more!
Frankly, not voting because of the absolute slaughter in GAZA & BOTH parties not lifting a finger to stop it? AND Kamala not moving away from Biden's policy? Those are all mistakes - but Omar and Rashid's reasons for that - they were their own.
WHAT about all those lazy "citizens" who didnt even care enough to show up?
THOSE are the ones to blame! And they were not all MAGA voters!
I voted for Biden of course - certainly NOT because I agreed with the policies regarding GAZA - but it would be an icey cold day in hell before I would vote for this pedofile!
Listen, I know there isn’t one completely correct answer to this question so call it rhetorical if you want I guess. Does the blame lie completely with voters who didn’t bother to vote or a party that failed to pick a candidate and or message the inspired them to vote? Huuuuum
Yes, absolutely - BOTH. I should have said that.
To be clear - I voted for Biden in 2020 - Kamala in 2024. Not because I was "inspired" to vote for her, but ANYONE other than trump. Actually that speaks for the reason so many didnt vote, I guess.
I read the other day that the DNC came up with a "report" as to why they lost the election - however, they refuse to make it public! Kind of telling, isnt it?
Voting seems a baseline expectation to me.
Here’s the deal. Look at Donald Trump. Look at every policy. Look at every decision he’s made in office. Look at what he’s said and done. The memes. The people he’s released and pardoned. Jeffrey Epstein. The files. Covering up stuff. The AG the DOJ.
That’s what you want in office??? Not you. But the people who didn’t vote. Talib Omar. If you say free Gaza. You’re gonna give your support to that guy??? That’s what I don’t understand. You say you’re making a statement and then you put this guy in power.
Policy is king. I don’t think Americans realize that. Trump puts in the policies. He allows Kristy Noem. He allows Miller to say send Bongineno to those cities.
So there’s a bigger picture. You mention Biden he had different policies.
I’m a campaign guy an did the candidate inspire me. Two time Obama voter and was moved by the yes we can campaign He was a community organizer.
I know Kamala didn’t move people. But I liked her policy. Experience AG in California San Francisco as a prosecutor. Tough on crime. That was Bidens boarder policy. She couldn’t get around being Boarder czar and that crushed her. There were issues. Not with me but people had issues being for Transgender. So you look at all of that. And we had a repeat of Hilary. No one’s voting for a woman.
This is what bugs me. All the protest from our side. Marches. All that. But I watched it and I heard people saying how great Trump was after January 6th. Politics got in the way. Being loud and In your face got in the way.
I got skin in the game. I was a huge guy for Talib. I supported Talib. Liked how her and AOC and Omar were new kids on the block. But after they took it too far.
Because the very things they were pushing for. We can’t get any of that done when you put a guy like this in office who says you come from shit hole countries.
Sometimes you have to put politics aside. Trump represents the old guard. Old white power establishment.
All we gained with Barrack Obama was bought back with Trump and now you have the elevation of Vance.
For the good. I thought Kamala was the pick. But like I’ve been saying. Elections have consequences.
Yes - I cant begin to comprehend how and why just not voting - period - would make any difference other than to put doofus in office! If GAZA was the reason to, shall we say, "abstain" from voting - WTF! WHY and how could any thinking human not understand what they were doing by not voting! I sure dont understand at all. And yeah, I completely agree regarding Obama - if he could have run for another term, I would have voted for him again. There were policys I disagreed with - as with any administration - but in my eyes, in my opinion, he sure as hell tried to do the right thing.
Maggie. I couldn’t agree with you more. Well said.
Why would Scott expect approval when he had dissed trump about his apes remark?
Because correcting him on a racist remark is not saying anything bad about him. He’s stood with him on every policy so I could see him wanting an approval.
My thinking is trump does NOT like to be "corrected" in public. I think Scott was naive to expect approval.
Absolutely agreed. Tim Scott should’ve woke up along time ago. And should’ve realized that when he didn’t select him to be his Vice President.
Another outstanding essay, well-written, passionate and full of important ideas. I can relieve you of one question. You stated, "Maybe my writing sucks. Maybe the algorithm is playing games. Maybe Substack just isn’t the same as when I started." Your writing definitely, absolutely does not suck. It's excellent. Regarding the algorithm or Substack itself, I can't tell. I don't know about algorithms. I suspect there have been some changes in Substack. I've been here about 18 months now. The MSM is circling the drain while Substack is becoming more popular. People are taking notice of these trends. MSM may well be sponsoring attack bots to respond to Substack posts, and as more people view Substacks, we're starting to see a meaner crowd.
Now to the substance of the essay. Here are five ideas that stood out to me. To paraphrase Alexander Pope, true wit (or genius) is the ability to put something that everybody knows, feels, or can see for themselves into clear language that everybody can grasp.
'“All men are created equal” is a sentence that either means something or it means nothing. '
'Today’s elites want the benefits of freedom without the risk of truth. They want the flag, not the sacrifice. They want “America” as a brand, not as a burden.'
'Sitting in that chamber, watching people clap for kingly posture and call it patriotism.'
'A republic does not die when people stop saying the right words. It dies when they stop meaning them. '
'They’ve been trying to take America out of America. They want the flag without the promise. They want the anthem without the agreement. They want the language of freedom without the burden of equality. They want a country that looks like America but behaves like a kingdom.'
The last quote touches on something close to my own heart. For months on these sites I've been advocating for the opposition to this vile administration to frame their opposition in terms of the principles stated in our founding documents, and which Lincoln revivified in his Gettysburg Address. Speak those words to those in power. And to those whose votes you seek. And be sure you know what they mean when you do so. Link your appeal to those voters and the policies you propose directly to those principles. The duty of an opposition is to oppose, but to do so blindly and reflexively is pointless and tiresome. "We believe that ALL men are CREATED equal. For that reason, we propose....." "In order to establish justice, we propose...." "To promote the general welfare, we propose......" And so forth. These principles are not difficult to understand, even if the policies sometimes are, so the link between the policy and the principle needs to be made explicit. And restated, often, and loudly both to those in power and to the voters.
No Kings does that. Personally I liked the Hands Off theme of a year ago, because it added a human face to what was going on just a year ago. But I am very OK now with No KINGs.
Understand. And I'm looking forward to participating in the next NO KINGS demonstration. My comment was directed toward those who supposedly represent us in Congress.
Point taken. I was thinking of broad messaging.
Wow. Powerful! Thank you for your writing.
Wow. I have to read again. And again Please keep writing. I don't always have the bandwidth to process completely, but I truly believe that we need your perspective. Thank you for putting it out there.
Beautiful writing! A joy to read in length, breadth, and depth. I look forward to your work in my inbox and reading, re-reading, and thinking deeply about it. Please keep writing great essays for as long as possible--they land more powerfully than any video and will endure longer. For as long as you write, I'm happy to amplify, share, and support your work financially. Thank you
The portrait of Frederick Douglass that you used was taken in Akron Ohio. He was friends with John Brown. Both were abolitionists. John wrote about their friendship and that Mr. Douglass believed in working through the system whereas Mr. Brown believed in using force to effect change.
He used force. Not sure it was a longstanding belief. I'll keep reading.
I have deleted my previous comment about Brown, after reading more about him since I posted. My new take is that he was a major figure at the time but largely erased from history, due in part to the way Ken Burns maligned him.
You are brilliant and humble as a person along with your writing, Xavier! Thank you for your clarity and making feel very uncomfortable but not walking away while realizing the hell. And if you're that crazy uncle Making America America Again keep stopping by everyday, not just on Thanksgiving!👍🏼
"Tell the truth and run." George Seldes