What a time for my 20,000th post.
The times are truly momentous, and historic with a capital "H". Nancy Pelosi was astute and profound to directly reference Thomas Paine. His literal words, which she evoked, are contained in his seminal political treatise "Common Sense":
But we need not go far, the inquiry ceases at once, for the time hath found us. The general concurrence, the glorious union of all things prove the fact. It is not in numbers but in unity, that our great strength lies; yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world.
My first post on Democratic Underground was in the fall of 2003. That now feels half a century removed. History flows in a mighty stream, the waters change but the river remains. For those of us roughly in my age group (I'm now 70) it is sobering, even staggering to realize that our individual life spans comprise over one fourth of the history of our nation, since the actual time that Thomas Paine spoke of.
And always it is a struggle to preserve and then expand upon the gains that collectively we, over generations, have won; for freedom against autocracy, and for justice against oppression in every form. I watched Richard Nixon consolidate his hold on power in 1972, winning the electoral votes of 49 states in his run for reelection. Then I watched as his growing autocratic tendencies were exposed and finally rebuffed by the Republic Benjamin Franklin said was ours to live in, but only if we could keep it.
I am so grateful for the community of activists who I tap into daily when I log into Democratic Underground. We fight together constantly to keep the Republic that all of us, as Americans, proudly inherited. The Democratic Underground was here for me in 2003, it is here for me today. When Thomas Paine said "It is not in numbers but in unity, that our great strength lies; yet our present numbers are sufficient to repel the force of all the world" our community here comes to mind for me.
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Congratulations on your milestone! Onward Dems!! 
You must now refrain from post 20,001 to preserve the posterity of this moment for all who visit this thread!
I feel like such a heel!
I remember when you first joined. I wasn't a member yet, but had been lurking for several months.
Your eloquence and thoughtfulness immediately stood out to me.
Let me know if you want to spend a little time in the Catskills, we would love to see you again. 
I'd love to visit the Catskills again. Would you be okay with a couple of 11 year old boys? (It's okay if you're not.) We could probably make it down there next summer sometime.
Thanks.
I've only been on here since 2016. However I have read and enjoyed your posts many times since joining DU. Congratulations on reaching such a venerable milepost!
