by Rick Hubbard | Jul 7, 2024
Greetings, {{recipient.first_name_or_friend}} —
I’m now on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, some 5 days ahead of my scheduled arrival, so I’m
walking daily to “bank” miles to use in a wide variety of contingencies: #1 – When the route to my next destination is via an interstate where I’m not allowed to walk and there is no nearby parallel road. #2 – In the event of bad weather and I can’t get in my 50 miles per week; or #3 – In the event of a major issue with the RV, the tow-car, or me!
On a much broader and more important note, our U.S. Supreme Court majority’s decision on presidential immunity in Trump vs. United States is now before us. It’s devastating. I encourage you to read three short articles:
#1- Ruth Marcus, columnist and deputy editorial page editor of the Washington Post, Opinion | God save us from this dishonorable court Supreme Court reporter (Note: The recipient of a gift article can read it for free for up to 14 days, without having to subscribe to The Post. Gift article recipients will need to register for a Washington Post account.)
#2-Akhil Amar, Legal historian and Yale Law School Constitutional law professor’s responsive article in The Atlantic, “Something Has Gone Deeply Wrong at the Supreme Court.”
#3- Lawrence “Larry” Lessig, Roy L. Furman Professor of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School, wrote bout Trump’s immunity claims in Rolling Stone back in May, “A Legal Scholar Explains Why Trump’s Immunity Argument Is Bogus!'”
Please read these articles and be very concerned!
Early in our colonial history, King George was using his immunity from prosecution to burden his subjects in the American colonies unfairly while benefiting Great Britain financially. We broke from Great Britain and declared our independence for this very reason.
To counter this depressing development that erodes the very foundation of our Constitution, let me review many positive changes already made, or being made, in several states.
Making our primary and general election process more fair, equitable, inclusive and competitive clearly benefits citizens. Moreover, it’s the very job our elected representatives take a Constitutional oath to do. The stated purpose in the Constitution’s Peamble is to “promote the general welfare” of “We the People.” Several states repeat this exactly, and almost all establish their Constitutions with wording to promote the common good or to benefit its people.
Yet, despite the oath they’ve each taken, many establishment politicians of both parties OPPOSE improving the workings of our primary and general election systems! Those improvements would serve the common good, but embracing those improvements might make it harder for THEM to get re-elected and remain in power? It’s a glaring conflict of interest!
Thus, so far, these improvements are occurring only in states allowing change via citizen ballot initiatives,
Improving representation via Open Primaries with all candidates on a single ballot and electing general election winners by a majority via either Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) or Run-Off Elections.
In my next email, I’ll give you an update on which states are proposing or discussing open primaries and RCV, which is very exciting news, indeed! And again, I hope these three articles will be useful in helping you process July 1st’s corrosive decision by the U.S. Supreme Court’s majority.
Until later this week, onward!
Rick
Rick Hubbard
Walking To Fix Our Democracy
P.S. – We need volunteers to assist with the walk. Want to take a summer vacation for Democracy? Find out more here!
by Rick Hubbard | Jun 18, 2024
After our Lincoln, Nebraska parade and event on May 29th, I continued across Nebraska, and I can truly say that the corn is way taller than “knee high on the Forth of July!”
I’m so grateful to all those organizations and individuals in Nebraska for their passion and support for improving our democracy. Not only did they make me feel welcome, they give our country hope that we can implement the electoral reforms needed to focus representatives on the needs of citizens, not partisan power.
On to Omaha!
It was fitting that on June 6th, we established a beachhead for democracy in Omaha, meeting the League of Women Voters-NE, Better Ballots-NE, Represent US-NE, the See us Rise returning citizen program, plus serveral other non-profits and activist for a pre-arranged “Last Mile” parade.
Our parade ended at the University of Nebraska – Omaha for a “fix our democracy” forum. We discussed ranked choice voting, open primaries and other solutions to make Nebraska’s election process more fair, equitable, inclusive and competitive. Nebraska, if you adopt those reforms, elected representatives will be more responsible to the needs of citizens and the Common Good of all! A special thanks to the League of Women Voters NE for putting the events together, led by “organizer extraordinaire” Joanna Lindberg.
Book Recommendation: Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point
While walking, I try to be productive by listening to public radio, podcasts and audio books related to the state of our democracy and how to improve/fix it, among other things.
I’ve just finished listening (almost 9 hrs) to Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point, by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. Both are professors of government at Harvard, and the book examines the conditions under which other countries abandoned a democratic system, and points out vulnerabilities in America’s constitution which could make a collapse possible. The New York Times says it’s, “A call to reform our antiquated political institutions before it’s too late. If you are willing to invest a day, you’ll end up really understanding how, why, and the urgency of, fixing our democracy. I highly recommend it!
Since Omaha, I’ve walked across the mighty Missouri River to log 100+ more Iowa miles toward my Des Moines arrival on Monday, June 24th. I’m anxious to meet and cheer on the volunteers doing the work of democracy reform there.
I could not do this walk without the amazing work of my super-volunteer, fellow Vermonter Peter Hack. THANK YOU for all your miles and smiles along the way! If you’d like to help, sign up at our website, FixOurDemocracy.US. (Photo: Peter Hack, Joanna Lindberg and me in Omaha)
It might sound “corny,” but I mean it. Thank you for your all of your love and support.
Rick
Rick Hubbard
by Rick Hubbard | May 28, 2024
Great news! I’ll be arriving in Lincoln, NE on Wednesday, May 29th, and Walking to Fix Our Democracy has reached 1,800 miles — the halfway point! 
When I arrive tomorrow, I’ll be leading a symbolic one-mile walk into Lincoln, followed by an event hosted by Nebraska pro-democracy organizations, gathering to discuss ranked choice voting, open primaries and other solutions making sure all eligible Nebraskans can vote, and that when they do, they can elect representatives who are responsible to the needs of the citizens and work for the Common Good.
Civic Nebraska, Nebraskans for Better Governance, Common Cause – Nebraska and other organizations will help me lead the symbolic May 29th walk with supporters, beginning at the Hamann Rose Garden at 2:30 Central Time, and ending at Antelope Park at 3:15 pm, followed by democracy reform talk. Find the complete walking route and timeline here.
My thanks to Civic Nebraska and the other organizations and others for their warm welcome and amazing support in making this event happen!
Rick
Rick Hubbard
P.S. – Also THANK YOU to my new friend and volunteer, Peter Hack, who will be my support driver for the next 10 days.
I’m grateful, Peter, for your contribution to our mission for better representation! – RH
by Rick Hubbard | Apr 21, 2024
Just before leaving for Nebraska to resume the walk, I was interviewed by Matt Holderman, with the result broadcast on both ABC 22 and Fox 44 Vermont. I’ve had many interviews
over the past year, but this one encapsulates our mission of fixing our democracy to get proper representation that can then get some big issues solved for ALL Americans.
Would you please do me the favor of sharing this out to your friends?
Here’s some share copy:
I thought you’d be interested in this. My 82-year-old friend, Rick Hubbard, is walking across the U.S. to help fix our democracy. 🗳️ Listen to the interview, https://www.mychamplainvalley.com/news/local-news/south-burlington-man-walking-across-the-country-to-fix-our-democracy/ then check out his website FixOurDemocracy.US.
Share from our Facebook page
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Share this entire email by forwarding to your like-minded friends, and include the Share copy above.
THANK YOU for helping get out the word!
Rick
Rick Hubbard
by Rick Hubbard | Apr 4, 2024
I’ve been doing some warm-up walks, getting packed, and the RV is almost ready to
go!
My plan is to resume walking in mid April from northeastern Colorado, heading across the Great Plains to reach Washington, DC next January. I’ll need YOUR help to keep me on schedule while we support the “fix democracy” efforts by activists and organizations along the way.
Priority #1 – Driving support and “Advance” work. I learned last year that I’d benefit from more field support while I’m walking. If you’d like to come on the road with me for a block of time, I really need help with driving the RV and/or tow car, and doing “advance” work in towns ahead of where I’m walking. C’mon! It’ll be fun! Find more information on our Volunteer RV Driver Info page [Volunteer]
Priority #2 – Coordinate with local activist groups, and getting speaking venues. We had amazing help from state-based groups last year in setting up rallies and talks. But I need a volunteer to reach out to those groups and be a liaison. This can be done either on road or at home. [Volunteer]
Priority #3 – Advance planning of events in states I’m still months away from,
with the state chapters of Common Cause, Represent.Us, League of Women Voters and other groups. This can be done from home, by phone and email. [Volunteer]
Priority #4 – Plan a walk in your area! Whether or not I’m walking near you, host a walk and I’m happy to do a virtual talk with your walkers & supporters. Check out our instructions on how organize one! [Volunteer]
Just since December, the anti-democracy rhetoric from candidates has been frightening. It’s not a time to hide! It’s time to use your voice — and your feet — to bring a message of democracy reform and proper representation to America. Join me in doing just that!
With gratitude for your help, support, and action!
Rick
Rick Hubbard
by Rick Hubbard | Nov 27, 2023
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
After more Colorado stops in Denver and Fort Collins, I’m too far north to cross the Great Plains, facing
freeze-ups from winter blizzards, the support RV, and even me! And if the cold weren’t enough reason, I need to replace my pacemaker next month, so I don’t just sputter to a halt!
My Winter Strategy
So, until restarting the walk in mid April, it’s time to begin my winter strategy of traveling to east coast primary states to challenge Presidential candidates about how they’ll do their job after taking the Constitutional oath to . . .
“establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty”
. . . in ways that improve the lives of all 333+ million Americans on the biggest issues we face. I’ll then explain from a citizen’s viewpoint to the many media reporters and photographers covering these events, how each candidate answered.
Three of many important issues include:
- Making efficiencies of our capitalistic economy broadly benefit all of us
- Providing quality healthcare to us all at the least total cost
- Re-making the way we structure and finance our political process to be fair, equitable, inclusive and competitive for ALL of us, including about one-third of all American voters who consider themselves independents
All of these – and more – flow directly from our elected officials’ job to “promote the general Welfare.”
My Question to Governor DeSantis
As I left Fort Collins and headed home to Vermont, I tried out this strategy in Iowa at two events. In Davenport I got to ask a question to
Governor Ron DeSantis! I asked him (at 48:27) what policies he’d employ on those three issues, so that all Americans can have better lives. His answer? He dodged the question, talking instead about:
- Reducing inflation to fix the economy
- Ending vaccine mandates to fix healthcare
- And no answer on how to fix our political system
His answers didn’t even begin to address these issues broadly and comprehensively.
My Podcasts Answer What Gov. DeSantis Would Not
I have addressed these same issues and proposed specific improvements for each in my five (so far) podcasts. Check them out and see if you agree with my solutions!
Media Coverage from Denver & Fort Collins
Our events in Colorado helped to generate some press coverage, particularly a statewide piece on ranked choice voting on Colorado Public Radio News. My friends from Ranked Choice Voting for Colorado and Denver helped organize an event at the Colorado State House in Denver, which generated a short piece by popular CPR reporter Vic Vela which will help move RCV forward at the statewide level in Colorado. I’m not in it, but contributed some of the background information for it.
We had hoped to have an event in Fort Collins, but DID have an excellent interview with Nick Armstrong for
“Dear Fort Collins,” which has a significant local following. Rick talked small donor funded-elections, the role of the media in explaining reforms, and how important it is for elected officials to LISTEN to their constituents, the majority of whom want to see reforms which can make their lives better.
During my Colorado visit, I also had an excellent phone interview with Vermont Conversation’s David Goodman, a podcast available at statewide online news source, Vermont Digger. I used healthcare as an example of how something so critical to the American people would be transformed if the majority of our elected representatives worked for the people, not special interests like health conglomerates, big pharma and insurance companies.
Until my next post, please be safe and use your own voice to advocate about the ways to fix our democracy, and the stakes if we fail. Thanks for everything you do.
With Gratitude for Your Love and Support,
Rick 
Rick Hubbard
P.S. If you’re able to make a small donation on Giving Tuesday November 28th, I’d certainly appreciate it!
