Gary Hart, Retired Democrat Senator, Presents The American Republic Can Save American Democracy - Getting Back to the Basics!

 

An Interesting Article Related to Joe Biden

This particular publisher, perhaps because of its being an essay and shorter than most books, does not permit sharing an excerpt even in reviews. I hope you will take the opportunity to listen to the videos I found related to Gary Hart's latest book. What I do in my excerpts is try to share one or more of the most important parts of nonfiction writings--sometimes, I know, it may be the only opportunity for my readers to know what so many writers are saying during this chaotic and, I have to agree with many, dangerous time in America.

Hart concludes his book by spotlighting what happened on January 6th! How many of you remember that time--to me it was worse than 9-11 since those on 9-11 were from another country, while it was homeland terrorists incited by a former president on January 6th.

Hart stated that after 12 years within Congress, he watched the "barbarians" who invaded the Capitol. He wept... Going on to clarify, "it was worse than a bad movie!" He then talked about the "barbarians" sitting at his, or a very near desk of his, rifling into papers, throwing them around, reading and screaming... Further, they demeaned the desk of the presiding officer... and then finished that "vulgar" acts were also committed there... I can see why he cried... It was his life being destroyed by "barbarians" Me, I just got angrier and angrier... Especially, knowing that the VP at that time had refused to do one last thing for his president...overthrow the election... We all know that there were fake electors named and attempted to get to the VP...

I thought it was quite ironic when Hart went on to describe the US Capitol as the "temple of democracy." Why? Because as Christians, we are told that God's Holy Spirit abides in each of us if we accept His love. Now we watched as many carrying or wearing shirts supporting the Nazis and other white supremacists garb, using the American flag to maim or kill... As Hart talked about it being a temple not only for Americans, but also for many world-wide citizens who look to the United States as a country they wanted to be like... Now, as recently as within the last month, three countries--Iran, U.K. and France have voted to remove those far-right extremists from holding office... Will they now be succeeding in working toward a stronger or firm democracy? While some Americans strive to destroy our democracy? What a catastrophe for all of us!

Hart begins his book with what many writers are talking about--retaining our republic as a democracy! And why shouldn't more be talking? Indeed I did have a civics class when I was young. For whatever reason, surely a political reason, that class has been removed from our educational system? Why? Now we are in a mess when our young people don't even know what the Bill of Rights are... Our Constitution? Doubtful... It had never been important, it seems, because all of our past presidents, prior to 2015, was dedicated to the Constitution. 

What occurred during the past administration was bad enough as many of our regulations for safety of our citizens who work in dangerous environments, for instance, was eliminated... Anything that could affect the bottom line of major corporations was stopped, apparently. Nobody could do anything about it, especially when it was instigated by the president, and supported by one political party, and then later, after having added 3 Supreme Court Justices, was able to even remove laws! Hart knew what would happen if America was controlled by an authoritarian president. In essence it would result in no government other than as controlled by that office. Think Putin's presidency which is a controlled election in which he always wins... And if, the last opponent who tried, he was imprisoned and "died" there... Hart is specific, authoritarian leaders undermine and subvert the principles of government. And that the best ways to avert that is to be found in the republican principles and ideals as expressed in our Constitution. So, as a reminder, here's a quick or full presentation of our Constitution...

If you do listen to the original you will learn that, at that time, some people living in America were not even considered a "whole person..." Many changes have been made to improve individual citizens standings since then. Thank God! But at least you will learn how things began...

Hart does a great analysis starting with Civics 101, you might say... "We The People..." and all that... In my opinion, he was so upset (as most Americans were) that when he saw January 6th incited by a president, that he quickly began to germinate just how he was going to write another book...  You might say, that when a former Senator sees that overthrowing an election had been planned, implemented and resulted in an insurrection, he felt that he'd have to start from the beginning...for these "Barbarians." (Again, his word not mine, but you don't see me disagreeing, do you?)

Then Hart starts talking about the threats to our democracy. Wait for it... we all know that it would be "Equal Rights! Or at least the majority of our citizens, especially those that had to fight for rights (and are still fighting--you know, women who have just lost control of our own bodies; Indigenous citizens and All Non-White citizens who are still harassed, hated and often killed just for being the color they are! Or having a different religion than some people...) And, People, Citizens, Let me Tell You It Can Get Worse! Have you heard of Project 2025? I recommend you do some research on this 900-page plan of action if the past president gets to be our next president!

Hart goes over a little history, such as the McCarthy period--no, not the first leader of the house, who was quickly removed, etc as well as the second... Anyway, the first political McCarthy who made a name for himself was calling everybody communists...and the government spent a lot of time and money "policing" who was accused... He points out that both parties have had some problems, but it was most the far right who really got into who had/did support Hitler and a Fascist government... Funny thing is this seems to have reversed this time... That last big chaotic shakeup didn't work, so this time they'll try something else... like, White Supremacy/Hitler's dreams... Then Hart gets specific pointing out that Donald Trump was doing exactly what had already been tried, but in the opposite game... His closure is simply, An authoritarian, strong leader's solutions are always simple, draconian--of great severity), and wrong... And, that they are wrong, simply because they are outside the bounds of democracy, where we the people are guaranteed certain inalienable rights--life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!

Hart's ending is also expected... We MUST save our democracy! He notes that he is writing this book simply because many have not been involved (like me, pre-2015) and are not aware of the very real loss of all of our promised rights under our constitution if an authoritarian--a dictator is elected... I, for one value my freedom for myself and for all other citizens. For me, that means all of God's children--red and yellow, black and white they are precious in his sight!

Hart joined Keep Our Republic. I just checked and they have general info but also for the 3 swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin... I've asked for more information to share here if possible... 

Hart's book may not be new in content. What I found most important was that a retired Senator openly admitted that he cried as he watched January 6th...  I was in shock during the actual activities, but had been so involved in news and books related to what was happening, I, just like Gary Hart, turned to activism... I hope that each person who stops by Book Readers Heaven will talk about what is happening. Perhaps referring to something you have learned here. No, I refuse to read books sharing the opposite viewpoint. I no longer am a reviewer that accepts books for review, so have no limitations on what I read--only on what impacts my life, my friends and family's lives and the country that has been good to all of our citizens, even if we had/have to keep fighting those who have different viewpoints... For me, I've read books by people of many races and/or religion. I think I have a good handle on the way the majority feel about their lives and how they feel about what is happening. I believe in the Democratic party now in Office. There may be issues that could be of concern, as I read in my last book about Identity Politics. But, having learned that, I took time to listen and include, for instance, Biden's speech at the NAACP... As Biden says, I believe he has become wiser as a result of his last eight years with President Obama and in our present Administration with Kamala Harris. Specifically, I believe he is so adamant about continuing because he knows that we are already going backward as a result of Trump's court changes and does not want to see more of the America he has supported all his life be destroyed...

A final note, when a comedian's monologue as he begins his show is not funny, you know he and many others are concerned... I've included some of my favorite and most relevant videos for me, in my life... What do you think? Want to share about your concerns? Let's talk via Comments below...

GABixlerReviews

Thoughts and Highlights from Former Senator Hart's Essay, The American Republic Can Save American Democracy! His Truth is Marching On!

 

United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland 

10-21-2014 to 1-20-2017 

Vice Chair of Homeland Security Advisory Council 

6-5-2009 to 2-8-2011

United States Senator from Colorado

1-3-1975 to 1-3-1987

Hart's Essay gets to the heart of what has and is happening in America today. He admits he cried when he saw the insurrectionists moving through the Capitol, going into an office where he might have once worked long and hard hours...and then desecrating the Senate Room where all senators have gathered for so many years to discuss and act on issues that face America...

He, like so many of us, including President Biden knows that something is happening that has never happened before in America. There are those, incited by the former president, but, perhaps, led by many behind the scenes who want America to become a country led by an authoritarian... any man would do? And, perhaps, they even made the wrong choice...

Like Putin who is now attempting to take over Ukraine to merge under his presidency of Russia...

Like Italy whose new prime minister hearkens back to former Mussolini, a fascist regime. Will Italy soon start moving backward based on what seems to be happening around the world today...

Like Iran where women have taken to the streets, burning her hijab and cutting their hair... after the death of a journalist by a supposed group of "morality police..." who monitors dress code!

Will any chance of democracy 

soon be gone? Everywhere?

Certainly just one of the writers watching what is happening in America is Former Senator Gary Hart, in his short, but powerful essay, The American Republic Can Save American Democracy.

Can you recite the Preamble to the Constitution? If you can, you might be around my age--a time when Civics Class in junior high, if I remember right, was a required course, so that we could learn all about the Constitution of our United States...

Here is the current state of high school civics education:* Only nine states and the District of Columbia require one year of U.S. government or civics, while 30 states require a half year and the other 11 states have no civics requirement. Care to Know More?

Hart first hones in on the very important fact, which I agree with, that we have greatly decreased the teaching of Children About Our Government! Why? The referenced article closes with:

Moreover, low rates of millennial voter participation and volunteerism indicate that schools have the opportunity to better prepare students to fulfill the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. While this article calls for increasing opportunities for U.S. government, civics, or service-learning education, these requirements are only as good as how they are taught. Service learning must go beyond an act of service to teach students to systemically address issues in their communities; civics exams must address critical thinking, in addition to comprehension of materials; and civics and government courses should prepare every student with the tools to become engaged and effective citizens.

I have to ask, when was the last time that concern for public education was raised in America at the national level... Hart brings up education as the first issue related to democracy...our republic as a democracy...

Yet, "suddenly" the republican party has approached the issue from the opposite direction, in my opinion, than Hart does. There are rampant concerns for banning books, for instance, that teach something that a small percentage of Americans do not want to have available for children, in particular. Sure, there should be a concern, but when we were more able to trust our leaders, we placed that duty to educated teachers and administrators and School Boards choosing appropriate age-related books. Additionally, history, itself, has become something that many don't want to have taught--if it contains the truth!

Consider the slaves kidnapped from foreign lands to be sold to white land owners, the wars and loss of life of the indigenous peoples who were living across the national lands--prior to any immigrants even thinking about coming to this land... those were never mentioned or, if they were, it was not as a negative period of time for those humans involved! Indeed those individuals who were treated badly in history, are the same people who, today, are still being treated unfairly, or worse...

And most importantly, remember that under the former president's administration, there was little if any emphasis on public schools, but, rather, on private schools... I recall that, it seems at least a year into the new administration, the Secretary of Education acknowledged that she had never visited any of our public schools...

Now let's consider this from a political standpoint, for, in my opinion, that has to be behind what was started years ago, Deliberate Dumning Down of Americans... I've picked up just one of the books on the topic so will be sharing on that later... It is clear from the blurb for these books that somebody higher than local schools just might have been forcing decisions to be changed... Who was responsible? Who IS responsible, for sure this has only gained visibility of what was an ongoing plan of action...

Certainly, if the plan is to move toward fascism, disguised under the name conservativeness which seems to be happening across the world...then keeping citizens of those countries "dumb" is the best idea, right? If they don't know their rights under the constitution, then they will have no interest in getting those rights fulfilled... Further, if they have no knowledge of just how America was founded--that all men and women are considered equal--then the inclusion of discrimination against all non-white peoples can proceed...then they will have no reason to consider who and how the government is actually working...

Let's consider how the family is involved in relation to living in a democracy... Well, there really should be no difference for anybody, right? Yet, it is ONLY since President Biden took office that citizens from all groups of Americans have representation in the Cabinet of the President! Remember the old phrase as America was being formed... No Taxation Without Representation! And, indeed, that is how it should be... and had been...for many years. Yet, in MY lifetime so very much has changed!

AND, The Culmination, it seems, was to have a president elected that would do what needed to be done--the move toward White Nationalism, the rule of an authoritarian leader, and the loss of individual rights that were granted under a constitution which no longer is...relevant...

Slowly, insidiously, conservatives/fascists have invaded American politics... To Wreat Havoc through violence against any who oppose the conservative/ fascist white nationalism agenda.

And it might have begun in my lifetime, as teaching our young--all of those children who attended public schools during the last 60 years, we allowed to go without significant introduction to how to actually living and participate as a voting citizen in America... and learning sufficient information to ensure that they, with the rights that came to them as those who VOTED and placed our leaders into power, actually acted to on behalf of the entire nation, regardless of differences in those citizens...

The Preamble The U. S. Constitution

The Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Purpose of the Preamble • The Preamble of the Constitution establishes what the founding fathers wanted to do with our new government • It is like an introduction paragraph (states the purpose) • There are six goals established in the Preamble

“We the People…” • Popular Sovereignty – the people are in charge of the government • In 1787, there were 3,894, 000 people in the country • Currently, there are 308,794,894 people in the country

Goal #1 • “In order to form a more perfect union…” • This is the writers of the Constitution stating that the original government, the Articles of the Confederation, did not work.

Goal #2 • “Establish justice…” • All of the laws that are created under the new constitution must be fair and reasonable for all citizens to follow.

Goal #3 • “Insure domestic tranquility…” • Under the Articles of Confederation, the states were often in arguments with each other • With the creation of the new constitution, the founding fathers wanted to create peace within the new nation

Goal #4 • “Provide for the common defense…” • The new nation realized that to be able to defend themselves, they needed to create a strong army and navy.

Goal #5 • “Promote the general welfare…” • The individual governments of the states needed to come together for the well-being of the country as a whole

Goal #6 • “And secure the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity… do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America” • Posterity – descendants… children or future family members • Establish – set up or create

Gary Hart, I, and Millions of America Lament how America has been taken over by domestic terrorists who are using military style weapons to murder our children... This is NOT America. Yet, part of its citizens has been lied to, have been molded into a cult where they are willing, just on the word of one man, to attack our Capitol and scream out death messags to the vice-president, and those who were there in their "normal" duty of confirming the election of a new president. 

Now those same people are diligently working to attempt to overturn any future elections through one way or another... At the same time, hundreds are being arrested for their acts of insurrection.  How can those who now act in violence against their fellow countrymen, while claiming they are the only true patriots, ever be trusted to continue FREE and outside of confinement for their acts of treason against the nation. Surely the tide has turned...but how do we proceed...

Next Issue: Follow the Money Coming Next...

Still we can take heart...just as the Ukrainians fight for their freedom...Just as the women of both Iran and America now fight against the men who want to have them forever in subservience white supremacists now coalesced into a cult who follows a criminal, not being charged for all the crimes that have accumulated to his based upon past actions...

 

Reading THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC CAN SAVE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY - By Gary Hart Hashtag: Open Memoir

 I have a Question for you to consider as I begin...

Have Americans been played--

being puppets With Others Pulling our Strings?

I graduated from the Albert Gallatin Senior High School, of course, named in honor of Albert Gallatin, which is located close to the original home of Albert Gallatin, in a small community called Friendship Hill... (Close to Point Marion, Pennsylvania) I graduated in 1963, probably before many of you reading this will have been born...

I lived in a small town right below the Albert Gallatin Home and Schools. In case you didn't know, Albert Gallatin was the Secretary of Treasury under Thomas
Jefferson and his home has within recent years been added to the National Register for Historic Buildings.

Before being placed on the National Register, it was privately owned... During some part of that period, my aunt was a caretaker and for most of my life, when we wanted to take walks, we would head up to the Mansion,  as it was called...

The home was completely renovated and some period furniture has been added, although much of the building is not opened for viewing, at least the last time I visited...

These dreams go on when I close
my eyes. Every second of the
night, I live another life. Every
moment I'm awake, the further
I'm away.
Dayla Maylen listened to the
words of the song playing softly
on the clock radio...To her it seemed
like only yesterday that her life had
changed dramatically...but Brady
had passed away 3 months ago...

That was a, to be later remembered visit, sadly. Ruby Moon-Houldson. came to visit me and I took her for a tour. It was the last time I ever talked to her. She was an avid writer with whom I first became acquainted through her first book I read... I recognized the general theme behind the book and wrote to ask her about it. She said I was the first and only individual who had noticed... Ruby had written many books, many, I believe, I also reviewed... She was murdered by her son who was out of it through drugs... When he discovered what he had done, he committed suicide.  Such a sad ending to a true artist and friend...Do type in her name under blog search in the right column if you are interested in reviewing or reading what she had written...She is stilled missed after many years. You see, her first book was based upon a true accounting of her life, as an abused child.  Her escape was into a fantasy life with one of the characters of the original Star Trek... Her story showed how it had actually saved her life.  I was and always will be a Trekkie, although I was surprised at which character she had felt "safe" with. I was proud to know her and have even just a few hours of sharing, as she traveled to her next book site destination...

 I attended Grade School, within walking distance from where I lived, both in New Geneva, a village along the Monongahela River. Later, I attended Junior High in Masontown, PA, where, thankfully, I was able to meet many more people and made good friends, one of which was the first Black person, Marian, I had ever met personally. More about school activities on another page...

All of the above is background for the main thrust of this article. In reading Gary Hart's book, The American Republic Can Save American Democracy, I had an epiphany and since I used the dictionary to make sure I was using the right word, here is the definition for easy reference:

An epiphany is an experience of a sudden and striking realization. Generally the term is used to describe a scientific breakthrough or a religious or philosophical discovery, but it can apply in any.

I'm not sure it was a God Incident...but here's what happened. As you know, I was planning on, originally, reviewing every chapter of Dr. Brown's book herein. Although I had already began to wonder, would I be spending my time most efficiently. Let me quickly point out that it is an excellent book--if you are interested in the background and events related to the interaction of the Evangelical Christian church with the Republican Party and, specifically, the former president. I read it because I was concerned and needed to know for my own edification. If you have that need, then I would highly recommend this book as a great literary and historical overview up through nearly the present time period. However, the book provides absolutely nothing related to what we are all asking.

What next? What can I do? What can we do...What should we do...

And as I started to read Hart's book, I was immediately receiving answers. And there was not one word about...religion...

I then had a flash of what had just occurred... DeSantis and other governors, using people as political tools, and sending them someplace else, lying to them, and not even telling anybody that a group of people would soon be arriving in their town... As we now know if you are watching the news... The people there took them in... lovingly, just as Jesus would do and asks us to do...

The outrageousness of these acts by the Republican Party made no sense to anybody who would cover the story as a commentator, and I was stunned as well as...angry at the cold-hearted actions of people who spent so much time talking about Christianity...but living a lie...

And then the next question came to my mind. Has the majority of Americans been played... Have we had the puppet master(s), just as he incited his own followers, also purposely using such extremes so that all of the rest of America would be upset enough to spend our time following all of these crazy things that made absolutely no sense from a political standpoint...while ensuring that the democratic party and women in particular would be thinking more about abortion, for instance, than about...voting...

You see, the reason I started the article with my schooling was because I WAS TAUGHT CIVICS IN HIGH SCHOOL! According to Hart's book, it is no longer taught... So I of course immediately went to YouTube and found some videos...one of a school and one of the League of Women teaching an adult education program...

Think about that...I'll try to confirm Hart's statement that Civics is no longer taught, but as a former Senator, I have to assume his credentials for writing this book are excellent... And, by the way, if you can afford it...GET this book right away! It is a MUST-READ, even if my epiphany is not relevant...

Because the very first answer that Hart states clearly and over and over...Civics is NOT being taught to our young people any more! There is no mandate for them to learn early in life about the government under which we live! Soooooo, you know what the next question I was asking... Just when was the decision to eliminate Civics as a separate class made--and who and why did it happen...

You know folks, about 10 years ago, I started hearing about "the dumbing of America..." Well, I ask you to also think about that...because, in my opinion, that is a true statement... Even in couched in humor... Dumber and Dumber...there has been no major effort to prepare students for living in America...Unless of course, they were white and heading for College and therefore took the Academic courses... Forgive me, a little sarcasm came out...

Personally, I took the secretarial course...I, like the rest of my siblings, wanted to get a job as quickly as possible to help our Mom and relieve her of the constant financial burden she bore. By the way, I was Salutarian--second highest grades in school and first in the commercial area. I later learned that my classes totally prepared me for a job and were the same as my older sister took in business college, after she changed her career choice from being a nurse. I got a job at the High School right after graduation for the summer and was working full-time in personnel in July of the same year I graduated...

If you are like me, you know for any crime one of the best ways to begin to solve the case, is to follow the money... If you don't know much about what the government actually does and who does it, I hope you'll take time to at least get acquainted via one or both of the above videos...or find many more available! 

For you see, part of my realization was that, as we are being torn apart by malicious and cruel antics by red state leaders and more, it could very well be possible, that, not only in those running in the next election, but many may have already been hired into positions that deal with the voting process in some way... For the first time in my life, I'm considering a conspiracy theory... What if, even if we vote at the polls, there are people there hired to destroy some or all of them that do not vote for republicans... It may sound wild, crazy...but then, again, the election is what has been attacked since 2016 when Trump were was "elected?" If I remember right, he did not win the popular vote...only through the electoral college... That is one of the investigations now underway! 

So even if you think I'm crazy, do take the time to learn how you can ensure that your vote counts! And, hopefully, it will be to ensure none of those supporters of Trump actually are elected. Either way... Be careful...given their continued relocation of people into places and leaving them, helpless and scared...? Hey, I wouldn't be surprised if a change of poll sites would be announced at the last minute..."Sorry folks, we tried to get the word out..." year, right...let's start considering that Trump is right for once...The election will be rigged! So make sure you plan for voting activity! 

More on Gary Hart's book coming!

God Bless

Gabbie

I Am About my Father's Business