Why This Site? - True American Greatness

Why This Website?

This site is designed to challenge and support a critical mass of Americans to come together, stand on our two foundation blocks, and carry “American Greatness” forward – by protecting and developing our democratic processes and institutions as well as taking on the big tough complex, and intimidating challenges we currently face. It is designed to speak to our “larger selves”, so that we can “play large” as the founders did and as Americans have from time to time when called upon.

#1 America is the grand experiment in democracy

– an extraordinarily complex and unwieldy form of government that asks a lot of its citizens at times. This is one of those times.

#2 It has worked for 250 years, but it is now in danger of being destroyed – from within – and in the short term.

Denial and doing nothing is an option. But it is an option that will tilt the scales to the replacement of our democracy with some form of authoritarian regime. That is not “crying wolf.” It is simply the natural outcome of our current path.

#3 The American experiment won’t survive “ordinary.” It has required “greatness” from time to time – and this is one of those times.

Our democracy has been resilient and there are times when we, as citizens can sit back and enjoy form of government without having to actively and intentionally support it. There are other times when we have to step up and act forcefully and relentlessly. This is one of those times.

#4 Protecting the American experiment requires a critical mass of Americans coming together to stop the destruction of our democratic processes and institutions (what holds America together) as well as to take on the big tough intimidating issues we currently face

– from climate change and racism to the health of rural America and the financial decline of all but the top 1%.

#5 We have two foundation blocks on which to stand - our extraordinary founding and our 250-year trajectory of trying to realize the original vision for all Americans.

Our founding wasn’t perfect, but it was an extraordinary shift from the norm of authoritarian rule to an experiment in self-overnment. Our trajectory has seen great gains and sometimes horrible reactions, but it has been an example of the perseverance required to maintain and develop a democracy.

#6 We must play large – from our larger selves vs. our smaller selves.

From a base of courage, commitment, responsibility, perseverance, and resilience – rather than from feeling small, weak, and overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and doubt. We must act from a sense that we can make a difference, even if we don’t know exactly how or what difference we make when we start. We just need to start.

#7 We must do it together – not ignoring our differences but going beyond them to do what we need to do now to protect the American experiment.

Americans have always had serious differences, and we have handled those differences well at times and not well at others. Now is a time when we need to acknowledge and honor our differences and find ways to transcend them to protect our democracy.