Patriotism [does not equal] Nationalism. Needless to say—but today, January 6th, it needs to be said—if our Patriotism manifests as Hate, it isn’t Love. Patriotism, in a democracy, *should* be about love—of our fellow citizens, our rights.

Saddened of the violence that has overtaken peaceful protests in our country? Disgusted by the insurrection of January 6th?

Whatever your partisan stance, this morning, support these Four Words: protect voting rights now.

Without voting rights, we cease to be a democracy.

I am afraid for this country. Egged on by social media “likes,” platformed by Big Tech’s allowance of fake news and misinformation, we roil in hate and voice support for aggression, which has never solved anything (we’ve tried it). Jimmy Carter’s op-ed outlines four keys to saving this democracy. Read it.

Overwhelming numbers of Americans of all partisan stripes support meaningful action on the problems of our day: climate crisis, gun violence, voting rights for all Americans.

And yet the loudest voices in the room, too often, cower even as they shout, giving cover to the hateful and selfish and anti-democratic (with a little “d”) forces in our great democracy.

Patriotism [does not equal] Nationalism. Needless to say—but today, January 6th, it needs to be said—if our Patriotism manifests as Hate, it isn’t Love. Patriotism, in a democracy, *should* be about love—of our fellow citizens, our rights.

So let us not take for granted what we have: a democracy, if we can keep it.

Protect Voting Rights Now.