Welcome to Fighting Autocracy
This project is my way of making sense of a country I still believe in, even as it struggles to recognize itself.
Fighting Autocracy began as a personal response to a country I no longer recognized — a country drifting toward something smaller, meaner, and less honest than the one I grew up believing in. This space is my effort to push back. Through clear analysis and a commitment to democratic values, I explore issues like judicial independence, freedom of the press, civil liberties, and electoral integrity. I also offer practical ways for readers to stay engaged and defend the institutions that protect us all. In a time when democratic norms are under strain, this blog serves as a place for clarity, courage, and action.
The Mission
Democracy doesn’t sustain itself. It requires vigilance, truth, and a willingness to confront abuses of power wherever they appear. Fighting Autocracy exists to illuminate the erosion of democratic institutions, challenge authoritarian tendencies, and defend the principles of liberty, justice, and electoral integrity.
Through critiques, analysis, and advocacy, this project examines the pressures facing our democracy — from weakened checks and balances to attacks on the free press and the expansion of executive power. I believe informed citizens are the strongest defense against democratic backsliding, and that silence in the face of wrongdoing only accelerates the decline.
Autocracy thrives on silence. None of us can afford to look away.
Why I Started “Fighting Autocracy“
My commitment to democracy began long before this blog. I grew up in the 1950s and 60s, a period defined by movements that reshaped the nation — Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, Free Speech, and the broader push for social justice. Those years taught me that ordinary people can change the direction of a country when they refuse to accept injustice as inevitable.
In 1972, I worked on the McGovern presidential campaign, doing whatever I could to support a vision of America rooted in fairness and constitutional principle. I later earned a degree in Political Science and spent several years teaching Social Studies, sharing my belief in civic responsibility with the next generation.
This blog is the continuation of that lifelong commitment. It’s a place to examine the challenges facing our democracy, explore solutions, and champion the values that define a free society.
Closing Thoughts
Democracy is not a given — it’s a responsibility. As we confront rising autocratic pressures and the erosion of long‑standing norms, Fighting Autocracy stands as a call to stay informed, stay engaged, and stay principled. Together, we can hold power accountable, protect the freedoms that define us, and ensure that the promise of democracy endures for generations to come.
Thank you for being part of this work. Your voice matters. Your actions count. And your commitment to democracy makes all the difference.