John --

I'm going to make this email quick, because it already asks for a bit of a time commitment.

As you may know, I've been hosting a podcast called Country First Conversations, and in each episode I've interviewed someone of interest to our movement.

But this week, I did something I've never done before: It's just me speaking to you.  I provide an update on our movement, what we've accomplished, where we're headed, and respond to some mail from folks like yourself.

If you don't have a chance to listen in, here's the high level:

• Only a movement of reasonable people, from both parties, can stop the pendulum from swinging from one existential crisis to another with each election.
• BOTH political parties have failed us. For decades they have cared more about winning at all costs than legislating in a reasonable and durable way.
• The fringe of both parties are disproportionately represented in Congress, which is why so little can get done.
• We won't be able to durably address important issues like opportunity, inequality, our climate, our freedoms, or anything else until reasonable people of goodwill rise up and say "Enough!"
• Our system -- including our leaders, parties, and media -- have let us down. There's plenty of room for righteous anger -- but let's aim it at those who took advantage of us and our fellow citizens, not those who fell victim to a con-job.

That's what Country First is all about.  And we need Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and anyone else to jump on board.  You don't have to ditch your party, your identity, or any of your beliefs.  Think of "Country First" as an adjective you can put before anything.  It simply means you're a reasonable person who realizes the only way our nation can win is for good people to come together, whether we agree on everything or not.  There's plenty of time to argue over policy later, but first we've got to keep the Republic alive and make it healthy again.

That's it for now.  Thank you, as always, for supporting our critical mission!  Of course, we are always grateful for financial support, but moral support counts for just as much in my book. And spreading the word to your friends, family, and colleagues might as well be priceless.

Country First,

Adam