Welcome

I’m Bob Passi—writer, educator, public speaker, and lifelong advocate for democracy and personal empowerment.

This site, Perspectives, is the online home for my writing, reflections, and resources—a space where history, politics, human potential, and the future of democracy intersect. It is built on decades of personal experience and a belief in the basic goodness of people, the value of thoughtful dialogue, and the urgent need for sustainable, humane solutions.

Whether through books, newsletters, or workshops, my aim is simple: to help others think more clearly, act more courageously, and live more consciously.

Why “Perspectives”?

Over the course of more than eight decades, I’ve lived through moments that defined the American story: the death of FDR, the McCarthy era, Vietnam, Watergate, the assassinations of the 1960s, Iran-Contra, the 2008 crash, the 2016 election, the pandemic, and now an ongoing democratic crisis. I’ve seen our nation transform—and fracture.

From working construction to organizing national conferences, from teaching high school and college students to facilitating foreign policy forums and empowerment workshops—I’ve gathered perspectives that span generations, geographies, and sectors. Those perspectives now inform this site and my Substack newsletter.

The original meaning of journey was “the distance one can travel in a day.” Perspectives – Bob Passi is a record of that journey: where we’ve come from, where we are now, and where we might go next. It is guided by the view that democracy is worth saving, humanity is worth holding onto, and change begins when we dare to see differently.

About the Book: Saving Democracy

My book, Saving Democracy: From the Warnings of 2016 to the Urgency of 2025, explores how America arrived at a political and moral crossroads—and why the future still hangs in the balance.

It traces the rise of elite dominance, media manipulation, and creeping authoritarianism—but also offers a hopeful path forward. At its heart, the book is a call to action for engaged citizenship and democratic renewal, grounded in the belief that ordinary people can still shape extraordinary outcomes.

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The Newsletter: Perspectives – Bob Passi on Substack

I'm also launching a newsletter on Substack, where I publish regular essays, commentary, and excerpts under the same name as this site. The newsletter includes:

• Monthly insights on national and global developments

• Reflections on democracy, environmental challenges, and human development

• Articles on personal empowerment and practical alternatives to modern dilemmas

• Poetry, personal essays, and memories from life on the Mississippi

• Short book reviews and cultural reflections

• Selections from past work and my published writing

Subscriptions are available for free or for those who wish to support the work more directly.

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Who I Am

• Author and public commentator

• Civic educator and empowerment consultant

• Former facilitator with the Great Decisions program (Foreign Policy Association)

• Teacher at all levels—from high school to graduate school

• Former U.S. Public Health Service epidemiologist

• Event organizer and curriculum designer

• Lifelong advocate for democratic values, human dignity, and sustainable living

I’ve lived and worked across the country—in Minnesota, New York, Michigan, and California—and traveled in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. I’ve been married for 60 years, with two sons, two daughters-in-law, and three wonderful grandchildren. I now live on the banks of the Mississippi River in Minnesota—a place that offers space for reflection and the long view.

Guiding Principles

This work is rooted in a set of core beliefs:

• Democracy is the best system for supporting personal growth and community development.

• Humanity must never be sacrificed for convenience, speed, or technological advance.

• Sustainable change comes from cooperation, better alternatives, and community models—not conflict.

• Empowerment of ordinary people is the key to solving modern challenges.

• Perspective matters—because how we see the world shapes what we believe is possible.

Join the Journey

This is an invitation to be part of a thoughtful community of readers and citizens working to reclaim democracy and restore sanity in a time of disruption.
You can follow along here or on Substack, watch videos on YouTube, and stay in touch on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Let’s stay connected—and keep moving forward.