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MoJo Reader, My father was a toddler when Adolf Hitler was elected chancellor in a democratic German
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MoJo Reader,
My father was a toddler when Adolf Hitler was elected chancellor in a democratic Germany.
I'm not going into that history here because people far more qualified than I am have argued that America is, or isn't, going down the path of Weimar. But no matter where you are on that question, what seems clear is that we are, as Germans were then, at a precipice.
My dad was fortunate, and he became a journalist after the war because he saw what lies and propaganda can do. And I've been thinking about all of this as we face the most consequential election of our lifetimes, a president unencumbered by either reality or democratic norms, what Mother Jones ought to do at a moment like this, and why your support of our nonprofit journalism matters so much right now.
Yes, we're launching our fall fundraising drive and if you're able to, I hope you'll [join your fellow MoJo readers with a donation to support our unique style of fearless journalism today](: We're aiming to raise $350,000 by October 31.
But our budget is small beans when democracy, truth, and decency are in the balance: So I spent the last few weeks reporting it all out the way we report all of our storiesâchecking the facts, connecting the dots, and identifying some of the patterns behind the daily swirlâbecause you're a Mother Jones reader: You want the big picture, and you deserve it whether it's our reporting that goes beyond the headlines or asking you to [support it]( from time to time.
There's a lot to unpack. In "[This Is How Authoritarians Get Defeated](," I cover the war on democracy, a small slice of how we got here, how we can push back, and how, with each punch to the gut, 2020 has shown us the wrenching impact of runaway powerâpolitical and economicâin all our lives.
Reclaiming power from those who abuse it often starts with telling the truth, so I'm [focused]( on six truths we'll need to remember in the challenging weeks and months ahead while we're bombarded with disinformation and skullduggery:
Truth #1: The chaos is the point.
Truth #2: Team Reality is bigger than it seems.
Truth #3: Facebook owns this.
Truth #4: When we go to work, we're in the fight.
Truth #5: It's about minority rule.
Truth #6: The only thing that can save us isâ¦us.
I sincerely hope you'll take the time to see how all these truths [add up]( in my full post, because what happens between now and January 20 will reverberate for at least a generation and we better be prepared. The president has made clear that no election result except a landslide can guarantee he accepts a loss.
As overwhelming as it can all feel, there is a way that societies have beaten back authoritarians before. A senior Pentagon analyst made that point when he announced that he had resigned because "my own leaders began to act like the autocrats I analyzed":
"I have seen several authoritarian leaders attempt but ultimately fail to subdue populations deeply committed to advancing democratic values â including Yahya Jammeh in The Gambia and Blaise Compaore in Burkina Faso.
In these cases, massive turnout for elections and non-violent protest as part of disciplined and enduring social movements were vital to resetting the course of countries on our current trajectory. These basic acts of civic participation, undertaken by millions, help rebuild the foundations of democracy and bolster governing institutions against efforts to tear them apart. It is up to all of us to ensure historic and safe participation in this election, and to be prepared to peacefully reject any efforts to subvert the will of the people."
Basic acts of civic participation, undertaken by millions. That's how we get out of this miasma of fear and chaos.
It won't be easy, and we've already seen how far those determined to suppress the will of the majority will go to hold onto power (you've really got to read the whole "[it's about minority rule](" section). This is what corrupt and autocratic leaders fear the most: Collective action for a civic purpose. It's not all that complicated.
And in a very messy year, I'm glad the argument to [support our nonprofit journalism]( boils down to something very simple. There's nothing more fundamental to our democracy than free and fair elections and a free and vibrant press. They're both at risk right now because a determined and informed public is a powerful force, and we grow more powerful with each revelation of just how broken things are.
Mother Jones was born of and made for a moment like this. You, our community of readers, are inâand leadingâthis fight (especially if you're still reading this). You are caring for those in need, teaching children, marching, working to make sure that votes are cast and counted. You are teachers, librarians, scientists, farmers, veterans, organizers.
And since our founding as a nonprofit in 1976, you have seen a scrappy publication that punches hardâand above its weight classâas part of your fight, and enough of our readers have [pitched in]( to let us do the type of reporting that democracy demands no matter who occupies the halls of power. Collective action for a civic purpose, yet again.
If you think journalism like Mother Jones'âthat calls it like it is, that will never acquiesce to power, that looks where others don'tâis needed for all that's ahead, and you're able to right now, [please consider helping us reach our $350,000 goal by October 31 with a donation today](.
It will be a long road to build a more fair and just system. But independent truth-telling journalism thatâs part of and supported by its community of readers can help guide us down that road, and it's important to remember that there are a lot of us together on that journey.
Thanks for reading, and for everything you do to make Mother Jones what it is. And please, please, take care of yourselves during these chaotic next several weeks.
[Alternate text]
Monika Bauerlein, CEO
Mother Jones
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