These are desperate times for America Never has democracy needed you more than it does now.

The takeover of corporate media should be ringing alarm bells across the nation

Some will find this a bit of an ‘off-the-wall post,’ and I would fully understand if you bailed out on it. Still, I feel it’s becoming increasingly critical for people to understand the existential threat posed by the castration of corporate media by a man obsessed with absolute control of the media narrative, as has been so clearly on display over the past week in particular. Regular readers will know that I subscribe to the rule that if you have nothing to say, then be quiet. Today, I decided to wear my heart on my sleeve to share a little more about myself and my vision for the Truth Matters brand, in light of the current direction of travel.

I don’t say this as often as I should, but.

I get up each morning these days with a sense of purpose and a fire in my belly to be part of a community that cares. That community is growing every day. It took me 6 months to reach 1 million 30-day views, and just two weeks on, I’m at 1.5 million. I know that in the big scheme of things, it’s a small step forward, which is even dwarfed by my weekly impressions on X. Still, Substack is a different animal that brings with it a broader demographic audience of largely critical thinkers for which I am most grateful.

I said from the outset that this was a new journey for me, and it would be true to say that I have learned a great deal, not just about the topics I write about, but also about a community that places trust in me to deliver fact-checked truth to them each day. Regular readers don’t come to Truth Matters for balance; they come for fairness on the understanding that my commentary and opinion are from an unashamedly liberal position. But delivered unvarnished and without fear or favour.

I know you see the footnote below every day on my posts, for which I make no apology:

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my thoughts and observations. I hope you feel it was worth the investment of your time. I deliver an article to my readers most days. If you appreciate my work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help offset some of the not insignificant research costs. Paid support really does make a big difference.

Never has it been more important to support independent media because, take it from me, fact-checked, deep analysis can’t be provided for free, no matter how much people want to believe it can. As each month passes, I come a little closer to breaking even on the cost of research resources, and rest assured, I will hold a party when that day arrives. I have worked hard throughout my life and have been blessed to have had jobs that I was passionate about and loved—from being a successful club DJ to remixing many dance records enjoyed on club dance floors around the world, all while working with artists such as Billy Ocean. After completing what was probably the most exciting chapter of my life, I then focused on music technology and took a position as a college lecturer training recording engineers. Finally, I transitioned to a career as a SQL Server database specialist and data analyst.

Until I stepped away last October, I had spent two years working at my own expense on AI integration for a web solution aimed at developing a messaging solution to help Democrats win the messaging war. I learned the hard way that the Democratic communications space is a closed shop. I couldn't get anyone to fund the project from development to production, even after I had developed the solution for free. That’s how screwed up Democratic messaging is. All this came on top of losing my business during the COVID-19 pandemic, when I was forced to sell my family home of 20 years, leaving me with just enough money at 63 to pay the rent where I am today. It’s no exaggeration to say I graduated from the University of Life and hard knocks with a PhD.

I have experienced unbelievable highs, from frequently travelling on Concorde to work in studios in New York, to devastating lows, at the loss of the business. The despair I felt in that moment led me to the darkest episode of my life, which I would not wish on my worst enemy. Had it not been for a good Samaritan on a train platform whom I had never met before, sensing something was wrong, and reaching out in that moment of darkness, you would not be reading this today. I have learned that when you have money, you have lots of friends, but when you lose everything, life can be a lonely path to walk. It then becomes a test of fortitude.

The reason I am able to write the way I do is that my lived experiences shape my writing and my worldview. When I handed over the keys to my home, I paid a year's rent upfront for my current residence. Aside from a small amount of cash I had left, I had a long wait until the final proceeds from my business were realised. This meant me and the love of my life had to apply for social welfare for the first time in our lives at almost retirement age. It was the middle of winter, and we had to decide whether to pay for heat or eat; we couldn’t do both, so we turned to the local Salvation Army food bank for help. Needless to say, I now donate to them now that we’re back on my feet.

It was a truly sobering moment that I never thought I would experience at such a late stage in my life. Fortunately for me, once things were settled and I was able to tap into my private pension, I could begin a new, far less comfortable existence than I had become accustomed to over the years. It has undoubtedly helped me and the love of my life focus on the important things in life.

I have been involved in politics for what seems like forever. I travelled to Westminster every week in the 2000s to provide support for a case management system I designed for Members of Parliament after leaving the music industry. I had clients ranging from backbenchers to senior government ministers; my system became a political tool for them to understand the problems experienced by their constituents. It’s these diverse experiences that have shaped me into who I am, giving me a profound understanding that hard times can visit any of us at any time. I have learned that the system must be able to provide a helping hand to people, helping them get back on their feet.

I had long been interested in American politics, thanks to my many visits to the US for both work and pleasure. I was drawn in further when I watched the Netflix film, “Knock Down The House," which documented the audacious campaign by AOC to challenge the Democratic establishment with a progressive platform that was an inspiration. Here was a young woman who had decided to attempt to serve her community in a male-dominated space where women were tolerated, not listened to, or taken seriously. I’m aware that Nancy Pelosi had broken the glass ceiling, but even she endorsed AOC's arrogant primary opponent, so-called rising star Joe Crowley.

I believed then, as I do now, that she is a phenomenal political talent. Someone who, from her own lived experience, understands the real challenges that everyday Americans face; she speaks with a rare level of clarity and honesty that is often found in politicians twice her age. She represents to me the very definition of what I have come to describe as a ‘people first’ Democrat.

I became more actively involved in American politics when George Floyd was murdered by law enforcement. I’m more than aware of the MAGA hate campaign that followed this incident and the propaganda they spread following social unrest, during which it was proven right-wing groups were agitators, encouraging the property damage that followed. Regardless of their feelings towards a black man, by their own measure, he did not deserve to die at the hands of law enforcement like so many young men and women of colour have before that day and since.

This moment inspired me to create my first short political film, followed by 230 more. It was rough around the edges, but it captured the nation's mood, and from that point on, I became involved in the fight for Democrats to defeat Trump in the 2020 election.

I have remained committed to this fight for the preservation of democracy and social justice in America as a global citizen. Rest assured, I have served a long internship during which I have come to know US politics and the law better than many Americans. I had a Twitter account with 10,000 followers that was suspended, and I had to start over to reach the 130k followers I have today. I’ve been attacked online, abused and had death threats, so I understand the political battlefield better than many digital activists.

I came to Substack because I wanted an opportunity to create long-form political content. In seven short months, I have grown in confidence and learned a great deal not just about writing, but about myself, to the point where I think I could hold my own in any political debate. I remain, as I have always said, a work in progress when it comes to my writing, but I am blessed to have kind souls who politely point out my errors in the knowledge that I am not precious when it comes to pointers. Writing is subjective, and I have always understood that. It is in that spirit that I am always open to criticism and debate with those who may disagree with me.

What I absolutely love about the Substack model is that, as a paid subscriber to Truth Matters, you get what I like to think is good value for your investment. I always strive to provide daily thought-provoking commentary that is thoroughly researched, yet presented in an engaging manner, with passion and, at times, a touch of good humour. When one retires, there is an initial sense of liberation from the demands of deadlines and projects that consume so much, but then you find yourself seeking a new purpose. This existential fight for the preservation of what’s right has become my new sense of purpose, one that sees me as Obama said, ‘All fired up and ready to go.’

Look on me as your literary plumber. It’s challenging to find a good plumber, so when you do, be sure to save their number in your phone. I am an evangelist for what MLK called the ‘beloved community’. As I have said many times, Americans deserve a better tomorrow where no child goes hungry and no family is left behind. Social Darwinism must be the enemy of us all, but only by our collective action can we find the promised land and deliver us from tyranny.

The model I have adopted, for my writing being free to all while offering an option to show support with the purchase of a subscription, makes no sense in the business world. I’m the guy saying contribute if you can to help keep it free for everyone who can’t afford to subscribe. For me, the truth should not be a business proposition; it should be a free community service supported by sponsors. My paid subscribers are my sponsors engaged in a collective effort to ensure that truth really does matter.

I have many free subscribers who reach out to me apologising for not being able to afford to subscribe, but thanking me for making articles available to everyone. An apology is never required. I know what it’s like to struggle, and I would never expect anyone to subscribe if they can’t afford to, EVER. That’s not who I am or why I’m here. If every paid subscriber were to walk away tomorrow, I would have to somehow find a way to make it work; however, thankfully, that does not appear to be the future, thanks to the generosity of those who help make this possible.

I know this has been a very different post than people have come to expect from me, but I now have a core readership familiar enough with my work to feel I can open up and let people in and get to know the person behind the words, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of who I am and what I believe. I can hand on heart say, I’m not here to make money. However twee that might sound, I’m here because I truly believe that truth matters, not just if you can afford to pay for it.

Having just sat through Donald Trump’s address to the UN General Assembly. It’s no secret that I think he is dangerous, but today I have witnessed a man so intoxicated with power that it has chilled me to my core. He is a man out of control, and NOBODY appears to be able to stop him. The world’s silence, if it’s not careful, will see its own destruction because he and his oligarch friends want to burn down the whole system and start again with them at the top. I am not often lost for words, but I do not know what to say. He’s out of control and in desperate need of an intervention in the form of the 25th Amendment.

With that, I’ll sign off for the day and thank you for your indulgence if you got this far, and regular service will resume tomorrow. Thank you all for your continued support; I truly appreciate it. You are the fuel that drives every article. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow and I won’t bend your ear again at least for a while.

Martin