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First, we have to continue to believe in the Union & our republican form of govt. Belief is vitally important.
“One person with a belief is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests.”
John Stuart Mill
BELIEVE in the Constitution & republican govt.
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First, we have to continue to believe in the Union & our republican form of govt. Belief is vitally important.
“One person with a belief is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests.”
John Stuart Mill
BELIEVE in the Constitution & republican govt.
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To get perspective on yesterday’s events, I suggest today’s podcasts from @dbongino & @CamEdwards. Both are sober but not defeatist assessments & like me condemn all political violence. Dan is longer; Cam shorter. If you can’t listen today, just fit them in this week. Links
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We need to rebuild & strengthen our shared American values: self-reliance, republicanism, free speech, tolerance, courage, due process, fairness, charity, patriotism, trustworthiness, dependability, generosity, cheerfulness, thrift, industry. We’re going to try to here./5
Today, we’re a bit bruised, so I’m starting w/belief & perspective. We need to believe in ourselves as Americans & in our values. To do that, we first need to remind ourselves of them. Re-read the list I just gave. Test your internal belief in each of them. How strong is it? /6
Ask yourself how strongly you are exhibiting them in your life, modeling them for others & teaching them. Ignore whether other people are living up to them for the moment. Your task is 1st to see that you are, then we can strengthen others & call out leaders who aren’t./7
The pattern is:
1. Live it yourself;
2. Help others weaker or behind you;
3. Encourage others alongside you;
4. Hold to account those stronger or ahead of you.
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1. Live it yourself;
2. Help others weaker or behind you;
3. Encourage others alongside you;
4. Hold to account those stronger or ahead of you.
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Today & the next few days: think about whether you believe in those values or not, & if you do, then make a commitment to deepen your belief in them & to living them, & start to think of ways to incorporate them more into your actual life. Values are beliefs put into practice./9
If we really believe in these values, we need to start living them more fully. This is the foundation our nation is built on - those values & others closely aligned w/them. They will support our nation still & support us as we work to right the ship. /10
These values & our liberty based philosophy/ideas are attractive to people - it’s why people want to be Americans. They will draw our own people as well. We have fallen away from this, however, so it’s time to double down on them. Civic virtues must be evident in our lives. /11
So do some personal soul searching & see if you’re willing to commit to the hard work ahead. It doesn’t have to take over your entire life at the same time; it can be incremental. For today/this week, you’re just choosing to get on board with it./12
At the same time, don’t let me hold you back if this sparks you to do things I’m not mentioning or gives you great ideas. Go for it. Everyone has their own pace, strengths, limitations, other responsibilities, etc. /13
I’m not going to tell you guys exactly what to do, although I’ll give specifics whenever appropriate. So implement what I’m saying however you want. Journal, spreadsheets, digital tools, whatever. Put the ideas into practice your own way. /14
Some perspective from me on yesterday: that was unequivocally bad. It was not apocalyptic level bad, however. One thing we cannot do is let the left & the MSM hypocritically leverage it. We must own our side’s shit, but they must be made to own theirs as well. /15
They won’t like that but I don’t care whether they like it or not. We must be strong & tough to do this, however, which is why we must strengthen our own foundation first & do it now. We must not crumble. They don’t realize it, but it’s imperative for all of us that we don’t. /16
For those who just “have to do something” concrete beyond what I’ve talked about today, (there’s always those folks & we love you), the link in the next tweet shows which Senators are up for re-election in 2022. Figure out which you can support or help defeat & start on it. /17
