I wrote about a 1945 War Department pamphlet on fascism. Months later, it became Heather Cox Richardson’s biggest overperformer of 2026. Here’s what happened in between.
To be honest, my goal isn't to create a rift between any of my readers and HCR. She is very knowledgeable and there is much that people can learn from her. I sincerely don't want folks to feel like they have to take sides in this situation. The really important thing is just for people to realize that stuff like this does happen, as unfortunate as it may be.
Surprising since HCR goes out of her way to credit reporter's names in her column Point well taken
Fascist Takeover: Taxation Without Representation
This is what independent journalism should look like https://bit.ly/4kCRkxy Yes there are daily news events that need to be covered but deep thought about what underlies our current national predicament is sorely required if WE the People are able to manage our way out of this historically created institutional hellscape that WE live in today
As intimated America is now engaged in a fascistic civil war created by the constitutional flaws of our institutions Judicial bandaids are not enough even though right now it is what is keeping the fascists from being completely successful But there needs to be some deep thinking by the DNC to make some major institutional demands to help restructure the country's guardrails and insist on taxation with representation This type of planning requires a long range strategy not just a 1y plan to win the next election but a 5, 10, and even a 20y plan as to how to rectify the current problems facing the country
The Solution: It's up to WE the People in the end as constitutionally mandated WE need to demand more of our elected federal officials because with slim majorities it leaves no conscious will to make radical changes WE are the ones to collectively demand the much needed structural changes cited But it appears the attempted fascist takeover has become the breaking point and possibly the beginning of the end ot taxation without representation
That’s disappointing. Jonathan Larsen, who has two Substacks, including The Fucking News, has talked about how he has done original reporting, which is then picked up by other news organizations with no attribution. I think that’s terrible!
I enjoy reading your perspective on the ongoing events taking place in this country on a daily basis, along with many others here in Substack. I share many posts where the author offers the ability to do that, I wish all would do that. This is my way of fighting the ongoing disaster we are going through. Where an author doesn't offer the ability to share their post, I will screenshot it but i will always include an attribute to that author. Carryon your great work.
Left a message on her YT video with a link to your article. Couldn't do it in her Substack because only paid subscribers can comment on her feed. Will email her if that's a possibility.
I couldn't comment on her Substack cuz I don't subscribe, so I did a restack & commented there. I don't think it's going to matter much cuz you have a LOT more subscribers than I do...but at least it's something.
Alas, as a woman academic I had work stolen from me on a number of occasions, so I know how galling the injustice feels. On another level, though, the point of your writing is to get the word out, to amplify the message however possible. When I think of the numbers, we really need millions to get the message, so it is discouraging to me that even HCR's readership isn't larger... Despite disappointments, please do keep up your good work. I was steered to you by Thom Hartmann. Kudos to him.
I too am disappointed in HCR for not crediting your work. And on top of that for nor replying to you. That was wrong. Maybe there's a plausible reason - your message got buried in the thousands of correspondences she receives? I don't know. At any rate, I do enjoy and respect your work Lukium. You're a very good journalist and I share your work on the socials many times. Keep it up, take care and be well sir. I'll always keep reading.
It’s hard to know where she got her sources and it’s possible there were others who sent her the same thing. Either way, I appreciate your work, and urge you to keep writing and sharing your unique perspective.
I get it. As I say I'm the article, I concede the possibility of it being the case,though the timing seemed a bit unusual. And yeah, I'm not going anywhere. I've only slown down a bit as I'm working on a couple of projects that I think will improve the AM further.
I was so disgusted by Heather Cox Richardson's slighting of you and your work, I immediately unsubscribed to her posts. I'd really wondered how she manages to write such long, detailed essays nearly every day. Now I know: she steals from others, which in itself would not be bad, but doing so without acknowledging where she got the material is bad. She is now on my shit list. I would gladly support your work with a paid subscription, but I am a barely surviving senior. But please do continue to keep us informed. Knowledge is power! Thank you so much!!
A request: don't put her on your shit list. We can't afford to keep siloing ourselves. We need as many amplification mechanisms as possible to counter MAGA and HCR is part of that. Put pressure on her to acknowledge Lukium's work instead. I'll do the same.
To be honest, my goal isn't to create a rift between any of my readers and HCR. She is very knowledgeable and there is much that people can learn from her. I sincerely don't want folks to feel like they have to take sides in this situation. The really important thing is just for people to realize that stuff like this does happen, as unfortunate as it may be.
Surprising since HCR goes out of her way to credit reporter's names in her column Point well taken
Fascist Takeover: Taxation Without Representation
This is what independent journalism should look like https://bit.ly/4kCRkxy Yes there are daily news events that need to be covered but deep thought about what underlies our current national predicament is sorely required if WE the People are able to manage our way out of this historically created institutional hellscape that WE live in today
As intimated America is now engaged in a fascistic civil war created by the constitutional flaws of our institutions Judicial bandaids are not enough even though right now it is what is keeping the fascists from being completely successful But there needs to be some deep thinking by the DNC to make some major institutional demands to help restructure the country's guardrails and insist on taxation with representation This type of planning requires a long range strategy not just a 1y plan to win the next election but a 5, 10, and even a 20y plan as to how to rectify the current problems facing the country
The Solution: It's up to WE the People in the end as constitutionally mandated WE need to demand more of our elected federal officials because with slim majorities it leaves no conscious will to make radical changes WE are the ones to collectively demand the much needed structural changes cited But it appears the attempted fascist takeover has become the breaking point and possibly the beginning of the end ot taxation without representation
For light heartedness see https://bit.ly/4rNmJiW
A good academic always cites their sources. Did she cite you in the References Cited section at the end of her article? If not, she should have.
Nope, no mentions at all. It is what it is. Not saying this about HCR specifically, but I imagine this is not too unusual.
That’s disappointing. Jonathan Larsen, who has two Substacks, including The Fucking News, has talked about how he has done original reporting, which is then picked up by other news organizations with no attribution. I think that’s terrible!
Well, you do good work, and it’s appreciated.
I enjoy reading your perspective on the ongoing events taking place in this country on a daily basis, along with many others here in Substack. I share many posts where the author offers the ability to do that, I wish all would do that. This is my way of fighting the ongoing disaster we are going through. Where an author doesn't offer the ability to share their post, I will screenshot it but i will always include an attribute to that author. Carryon your great work.
It is critical that credit is given where credit is due.
Writing informative pieces is time intensive and needed by activists and advocates who work to educate.
Left a message on her YT video with a link to your article. Couldn't do it in her Substack because only paid subscribers can comment on her feed. Will email her if that's a possibility.
I couldn't comment on her Substack cuz I don't subscribe, so I did a restack & commented there. I don't think it's going to matter much cuz you have a LOT more subscribers than I do...but at least it's something.
Alas, as a woman academic I had work stolen from me on a number of occasions, so I know how galling the injustice feels. On another level, though, the point of your writing is to get the word out, to amplify the message however possible. When I think of the numbers, we really need millions to get the message, so it is discouraging to me that even HCR's readership isn't larger... Despite disappointments, please do keep up your good work. I was steered to you by Thom Hartmann. Kudos to him.
I too am disappointed in HCR for not crediting your work. And on top of that for nor replying to you. That was wrong. Maybe there's a plausible reason - your message got buried in the thousands of correspondences she receives? I don't know. At any rate, I do enjoy and respect your work Lukium. You're a very good journalist and I share your work on the socials many times. Keep it up, take care and be well sir. I'll always keep reading.
Lukium I am sorry you that happened. I really enjoy your excellent work. Please keep up the amazing work.
It’s hard to know where she got her sources and it’s possible there were others who sent her the same thing. Either way, I appreciate your work, and urge you to keep writing and sharing your unique perspective.
I get it. As I say I'm the article, I concede the possibility of it being the case,though the timing seemed a bit unusual. And yeah, I'm not going anywhere. I've only slown down a bit as I'm working on a couple of projects that I think will improve the AM further.
I was so disgusted by Heather Cox Richardson's slighting of you and your work, I immediately unsubscribed to her posts. I'd really wondered how she manages to write such long, detailed essays nearly every day. Now I know: she steals from others, which in itself would not be bad, but doing so without acknowledging where she got the material is bad. She is now on my shit list. I would gladly support your work with a paid subscription, but I am a barely surviving senior. But please do continue to keep us informed. Knowledge is power! Thank you so much!!
A request: don't put her on your shit list. We can't afford to keep siloing ourselves. We need as many amplification mechanisms as possible to counter MAGA and HCR is part of that. Put pressure on her to acknowledge Lukium's work instead. I'll do the same.