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Democracy is on the line. 

I have heard a lot about the apathy and fatigue from hearing about
"Democracy being on the line." People want to focus more on day-to-day
issues like inflation and crime.
Folks, I get it, believe me; "Democracy" seems like this arbitrary notion,
one that we as Americans take for granted.  Here's the thing: Billions of
people across the world would literally die to have a chance at living in
a Democracy.

I was born in Syria. I was fortunate enough to be raised here, and before
the war, I spent summers there as a child. There were a lot of strange
things I encountered that I never understood. Looking back now...it makes
sense.

In a dictatorship or fascist country you do not get to speak your mind or
criticize your government no matter how corrupt or unjust. If you are born
into a specific family or lineage, you will be given everything and be fed
with a golden spoon for your entire life. If you are not, you don't tend
to get the opportunity to succeed regardless of how much intelligence or
ambition you present. 

MAGA Republicans here in America are clamoring to join forces with the
likes of Syria's Assad, Vladimir Putin, or President Xi of China. Think
about it for a moment: this is who they want to be aligned with, who they
look up to, and the styles of government they wish to emulate. In the
Ukraine-Russia War, China has now jumped in, and they have made it known
that they will not be backing down. China is providing arms as well as
logistical support to the Russians to send a message to NATO (read:
America.) Russia's army vastly outnumbers the Ukrainians, yet here we are
one year in and the Ukrainians have shocked the world. They did not roll
over to the mighty Russian army, in fact, they have won their fair share
of battles and have taken back many cities.

I am not in favor of an endless war, nor is President Biden, nor any sane
person. The difference between our side and theirs is we speak candidly,
lay out the facts, and base our decisions on the information. That
information can change, evolve, and fluctuate. DeSantis, Trump, and
McCarthy - they have no problem lying to you, lying to their base, and
relinquishing democracy in favor of authoritarianism as long as it is them
who remain in power.

The irony has not gone unnoticed that the speaker of the House Kevin
McCarthy shares the name of the Late Senator McCarthy. A man who spent the
1950s accusing people of being communists and ruining their lives.
Meanwhile, this McCarthy is openly advocating for a dictatorial form of
government right here in America. They want to control women's bodies,
they want to control what books are read in our schools, and they want to
rewrite history to fit their narrative. 

So, yes, I know we are all sick of this fight, but this is one fight we
cannot afford to lose. The very soul of our nation, as well as global
democracy, is at stake, and we must prevail. That is why we fight. That is
why we do the work that we do. And that is why we need your support so
that we can keep on fighting. 

[ [link removed] ]Chip in my support!

- Hassan Martini
Executive Director,
No Dem Left Behind




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