2026 is the year that will make or break America. MAGA is a sinking ship. The movement that once sold itself as strength has become a symbol of chaos, cruelty, and collapse. Christian nationalism, disinformation, and performative outrage have replaced actual governance.
But there’s still time to chart a different course. This year’s midterms aren’t just about party control; they’re about restoring checks and balances, ending the normalization of extremism, and rejecting the slow erosion of democracy. Hope for America is growing, and with it comes a clear path forward: truth, accountability, and a government that serves the people, not the powerful.
"This is the year we stop being shocked. This is the year we get serious. This is the year we show up like we mean it. No more waiting for someone else to fix it. Let’s use 2026 like everything depends on it, because it does." As always thank you. You are the only post I make a point to read. I have been yelling in all caps for months PROTECT THE MIDTERMS and felt like I was a 'voice crying out in the political wildeness'. Now I feel like I'm part of a righteous choir. We still have time to put the brakes on this runaway train. PROTECT THE MIDTERMS.
I am an optimist and Jack Smith gave me Hope for America. His testimony is a master class in Law and Order based on facts and evidence. I am with you and will upgrade the end of next week.
Yes, I made to the end, and you are right, I do feel the same way. I too want to be on the right side. I've followed as closely as I know how. The momentum isn't always obvious, but I know it's there and the shifts are real, and if I I need any inspiration I think of others like you, like the young people fighting in Ukraine, those in Georgia and the grey haired ones at the No Kings days. lt's a real war that must be fought, and like real wars, it's not a one-year tour, but for the duration. Slava Ukraini and allies.
Involvement and belonging should never be forgotten. Authoritarian regimes strive to divide and conquer…Unity and community is the life blood of democracy.
Heather. Thanks so much for articulating what so many of us are feeling but don’t have the platform to speak out. I am sharing your blog with many family and friends. Keep up the great work. Charlie
Thank you Heather. Hope is a powerful emotion. But that initial feeling you had, that realisation that were not alone in your anguish and despair sense of shared
Heather, your husband never contacted me, although I left my email address on Substack, in that place where "you forget that there are messages here". I just watched your video, and I have a suggestion for you, a recommendation that I'm actually willing to fund, but I don't want to expose it here. PLEASE contact me. Geoff Walker
I appreciate the glimpse of your personal life that you shared today. It gives depth to your committed writing. I read your posts everyday.
You stated:
"Every single night, I sit down and write about what’s happening, not just the headlines, but the undercurrents, the stories that slip through the cracks and still impact millions of us. I try to cover what matters most."
That careful parsing and sorting is greatly appreciated and is becoming one of your trademarks.
The other feature that sets you apart is your honest, heartfelt voice. Your craftsmanship is extraordinary and reflects your long experience as a writer. But then you overlay your words with an informal style that seems almost conversational.
Your essay today was the perfect message for me as I square up to the coming year. Thank you. It is comforting and reassuring to know that you and others will be out front providing information and guidance.
I just subscribed because like many others have said, this fight needs all of us. I recently wrote to my sisters, “Hope is our strength.” We will overcome thanks to you and others like you who inspire us all.
I’m with the Hope team!!
"This is the year we stop being shocked. This is the year we get serious. This is the year we show up like we mean it. No more waiting for someone else to fix it. Let’s use 2026 like everything depends on it, because it does." As always thank you. You are the only post I make a point to read. I have been yelling in all caps for months PROTECT THE MIDTERMS and felt like I was a 'voice crying out in the political wildeness'. Now I feel like I'm part of a righteous choir. We still have time to put the brakes on this runaway train. PROTECT THE MIDTERMS.
Just became a paid subscriber because I believe in you! For months, I’ve been reading your posts daily. Thank you for all that you do!
I am an optimist and Jack Smith gave me Hope for America. His testimony is a master class in Law and Order based on facts and evidence. I am with you and will upgrade the end of next week.
Yes, I made to the end, and you are right, I do feel the same way. I too want to be on the right side. I've followed as closely as I know how. The momentum isn't always obvious, but I know it's there and the shifts are real, and if I I need any inspiration I think of others like you, like the young people fighting in Ukraine, those in Georgia and the grey haired ones at the No Kings days. lt's a real war that must be fought, and like real wars, it's not a one-year tour, but for the duration. Slava Ukraini and allies.
‘This is the year we stop being shocked.’
‘Either they reject this movement (Maga) or they go down with it.’
Fighting talk, giving hope for America.
Good morning Heather. Just a brief note to thank you for your column. I can't wait to read it every morning. Keep going girl!!
Involvement and belonging should never be forgotten. Authoritarian regimes strive to divide and conquer…Unity and community is the life blood of democracy.
I’m with you Heather!!!! Hope!!!!
Heather. Thanks so much for articulating what so many of us are feeling but don’t have the platform to speak out. I am sharing your blog with many family and friends. Keep up the great work. Charlie
I'm with the Hope Team!!!
Thank you Heather. Hope is a powerful emotion. But that initial feeling you had, that realisation that were not alone in your anguish and despair sense of shared
Heather, your husband never contacted me, although I left my email address on Substack, in that place where "you forget that there are messages here". I just watched your video, and I have a suggestion for you, a recommendation that I'm actually willing to fund, but I don't want to expose it here. PLEASE contact me. Geoff Walker
Ms. Reese-
I appreciate the glimpse of your personal life that you shared today. It gives depth to your committed writing. I read your posts everyday.
You stated:
"Every single night, I sit down and write about what’s happening, not just the headlines, but the undercurrents, the stories that slip through the cracks and still impact millions of us. I try to cover what matters most."
That careful parsing and sorting is greatly appreciated and is becoming one of your trademarks.
The other feature that sets you apart is your honest, heartfelt voice. Your craftsmanship is extraordinary and reflects your long experience as a writer. But then you overlay your words with an informal style that seems almost conversational.
Your essay today was the perfect message for me as I square up to the coming year. Thank you. It is comforting and reassuring to know that you and others will be out front providing information and guidance.
You are valued more than you can know.
Best Regards,
Tim
I just subscribed because like many others have said, this fight needs all of us. I recently wrote to my sisters, “Hope is our strength.” We will overcome thanks to you and others like you who inspire us all.
Paragraph 14
2nd sentence “aren’t” or “are not”
Maybe?
Love, love, love your writing!