Welcome To My Substack! Let's Make A Difference Together.
My contribution to the Great American Experiment in America's 250th year and beyond
“Oh great, just what the progressive political world needs – another Substack!”
If that’s what you thought when you first learned I was launching a Substack, I totally understand!
For much of the past 14 months, the Democratic Party and the larger progressive movement have been in some heated discussions about our future. Some have chosen Substack as a vehicle for their thoughts on where we go from here. But for a while, I was reluctant to do so.
See, after nearly 20 years of involvement in politics - from the precinct level to the DNC Youth Council - several things happened between the 2022 and 2024 elections that caused me to rethink my involvement. About a week after the 2024 election, I decided that, while I’d still vote in every election (as everyone should!), I was done giving so much time and talent to candidates and a Party that weren’t rewarding me like they often reward those with treasure (of which I have little). Instead, I would do things that made a difference in my wellbeing, my checking account, or our community.
But in recent months, I’ve had an epiphany of sorts. I realized I have a unique perspective. And for the sake of our communities and this nation - and for the memories of my grandfathers, who put their lives on the line for this country more than 80 years ago – I better use my voice to help protect the freedoms they and their brothers in arms fought to defend.
Our nation’s 250th birthday year begins in crisis. National Republicans are either gushing over or too scared to stand up to one of the weakest men ever to occupy the Oval Office. Democrats at all levels are failing to communicate. Michigan Democrats continue to underperform the national environment (the 2025 “Blue Wave” missed the Great Lakes State). Local Democrats are surrendering winnable races, as I can personally attest. Local journalism has dwindled - and with it, coverage of local government. Trust in many institutions is at historic lows - for reasons both deserved and undeserved. Few people in decision-making capacities understand the realities of those of us struggling to make ends meet. People over a certain age (which seems to be 30 or 35) are rarely hired into political or governmental roles that would utilize our experience - despite the value we bring.
These are all serious issues, and many are related to each other. For instance, I still hold that national Democrats’ terrible messaging is responsible for 2024, and I believe it factored into Michigan Democrats’ continued underperformance in 2025. And we can’t expect folks facing hardship to trust the Democratic Party or our government when those in charge of each haven’t faced that hardship themselves.
These problems have wide-reaching consequences for so many people around the world. And I’m under no illusions that my Substack alone will cure all of these things. But as one of my role models, President Barack Obama, said:
“One voice can change a room, and if one voice can change a room, then it can change a city, and if it can change a city, it can change a state, and if it change a state, it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation, it can change the world.”
So here I am, with my unique voice, hoping to change the Democratic Party, West Michigan, Michigan, the United States, and the world for the better.
This is far from my first blogging rodeo. I blogged for the better part of a decade during the Bush and Obama years. The last week of my freshman year in college, a friend of mine introduced me to Michigan Liberal, a community blog for progressives in the Great Lakes State. Just a year and a half later, they made me an editor with “front page” powers. I also started my own personal blog as well as one for the College Democrats at Central Michigan University - which we creatively named Blue Chips. (Get it? Democratic blue? Chippewas? I can’t take credit for that one!) I also blogged on sites like Daily Kos and Street Prophets. I even wrote something which appeared on the front page of barackobama.com!
For various reasons, I haven’t blogged much in recent years. I’ve been less outspoken about my opinions in recent years, and what opinions I’ve shared could fit on social media. But social media has its limits. And there’s also a limit to how much of our current political circumstances I can take without trying to do my small part to change things.
I hope that because of this Substack, you and other readers will know all you need to know about:
Elections, elected offices, and the people who fill or want to fill these offices.
Issues that matter to you, whether or not they get coverage in campaigns or other media.
Michigan’s Constitution – its peculiarities and all – especially since we’re voting later this year on whether to overhaul it.
How the Democratic Party really works - both the formal structures and the political realities in which it operates.
Most of all, I hope my work inspires you to become involved (or more involved) in saving this great American experiment. And I hope to count on your support for my work with a few dollars or social media shares.
Happy New Year!