The Power of the People is Stronger Than the People in Power

Screenshot from American Obituary by U2.

U2 has released a new song and video, “American Obituary.” It is a song of protest and lament in response to the rise of authoritarianism in America and the violence of ICE. But it is also a song of hope for America. It says that love is stronger than hate. And that the power of ordinary people is stronger than the power of those who abuse authority.

I had the opportunity to work with Bono during and after the Jubilee debt relief campaign around the year 2000. Although Bono is Irish, he spent a lot of time in Washington, DC, because he understood that international debt relief wouldn’t happen without support from the United States. He generously used his celebrity to connect with people in high places and make aid to Africa a popular cause. Bono is a religious poet and a Jesus follower, and his ongoing advocacy is grounded in faith.

The Jubilee of debt relief allowed relatively well-governed poor countries to increase their annual funding for basic health and education by $3 billion. Debt relief launched a dramatic expansion of school enrollment in Africa, especially among girls. It also launched a long period of bipartisan increases and quality improvements in US international aid.

Very early in the Trump administration, President Trump stopped virtually all US international aid and empowered Elon Musk to destroy USAID. Those actions have caused roughly a million deaths over the last year, most obviously by cutting off help for hungry people and people needing medical care.

In my forthcoming book, Poverty Abolitionists, I argue that we need to push back against MAGA to restore progress against poverty. I’m delighted that Bono and U2 are focusing on the United States again. We need all the help we can get.

Listen to the song below. I think it is wonderful.

Lyrics:

You have the right to remain silent 

or not… 

God above a mother's love

A guiding hand to pick you up

To crush her like a coffee cup

Why?

Crossing guard or yellow bus 

Our children teach us who to trust 

The worst can’t kill what’s best in us 

But they can try 

America will rise 

Against the people of the lie 

I love you more 

Than hate loves war 

I love you more 

Than hate loves war

(War, war) 

We love you more than hate loves war 

Renee Good born to die free

American mother of three

Seventh day January

A bullet for each child, you see

The color of her eye

930 Minneapolis 

To desecrate domestic bliss

Three bullets blast, three babies kissed

Renee the domestic terrorist???

What you can’t kill can't die

America will rise 

Against the people of the lie 

I love you more 

Than hate loves war 

I love you more 

Than hate loves war 

(War, war)

We love you more than hate loves war 

I am not mad at you, Lord 

You’re the reason I was there 

Could you stop a heart from breaking

By having it not care?

Could you stop a bullet in midair?

She says…

The power of the people is so much stronger than the people in power

The power of the people is so much stronger than the people in power

The power of the people is so much stronger than the people in power

In the streets with children playing 

In the churches where they’re praying 

School teachers are explaining 

America, America 

The power of the people! 

We love you more (we say, we say) than hate loves war 

I love you more (I say, I say) than hate loves war

A Call to Christians in a Time of Crisis for Faith and Democracy

\

As we enter Lent, hundreds of the nation’s Christian leaders are calling on Christians across the country to speak out and take action at this time of crisis for democracy and faith. We are living under a violent, increasingly authoritarian government, and it claims to be acting in the name of Jesus.

In their open letter, these leaders commit to concrete actions, including standing with immigrants targeted by unjust policies, rejecting political violence in all forms, defending the country’s voting rights and democratic norms, and pursuing peace, truth, and justice. Citing scripture, the letter highlights Jesus’ teachings on love and peace, and rejects the use of religion to justify exclusion, racism, or domination—calling on Christians to resist the manipulation of faith for political gain.

I went to the White House on Ash Wednesday for the release of this letter. We hope that Christian leaders, clergy and lay people, will sign the letter and encourage others to do so. Two thousand people signed it in the first 24 hours. Together, we can make this Lent a time of repentance—turning around —for ourselves individually and for our nation.

Rick Steves and the Defense of American Democracy

Screenshot from The Traveler & American Democracy with Rick Steves

Rick Steves recently delivered a powerful address in defense of American democracy in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington.  We’ve all been thinking and reading about this topic a lot, but I think Rick’s speech was the strongest call to defend our democracy against MAGA that I've heard.  Part of what makes it powerful is that Rick’s life and business are focused on European travel, but he has been moved as a concerned citizen to action in defense of democracy.

My forthcoming book, Poverty Abolitionists, is about restoring progress against poverty, but that depends in part on pushing back effectively against MAGA. The second Trump administration has slashed international aid and also both health and food assistance to Americans. They have also ended government promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as the federal protection of the civil rights of groups who have long suffered from discrimination. The mass deportation of immigrants has disrupted the lives of many people who came to this country to make a better life and are contributing to our communities. 

After dramatic progress against poverty in recent decades, poverty in our country and worldwide has been thrown into reverse. When Rick spoke in Edmonds, he took extra time to talk about the destruction of U.S. international aid in 2025.

Rick’s speech was paired with a speech by Shelly Bryan Wee, the Lutheran bishop of Washington. She explains that MAGA is not only an attack on our democracy, it is also a corruption of Christian faith. Bishop Bryan Wee ended her remarks with a confession of faith that our loving God will rescue us from the current attack on both faith and democracy.

The Traveler and American Democracy with Rick Steves

Understanding Christian Nationalism with Shelley Bryan Wee