We Take on Challenge #1 - we protect and improve our democratic processes and institutions
Democracy is awkward and often inefficient. Making it work is deceptively difficult. Like any system over time, a democracy wears down and currently we need significant improvement in almost all areas because it is fraying and losing too much of the credibility on which it rests.
A decreasing bipartisan effort at governing, gerrymandering, dark money, disinformation, and an increasing personal sense that “I don’t have any power, influence or access” have combined to undermine the ability of our democracy to deliver as a democracy.
On a personal level our democracy is not meeting the needs of too many Americans, and too many Americans are acting out of fear and anger and seeing destruction as the only power they have. We need to offer a constructive alternative and renew our democracy.
As citizens we can sometimes ride on the momentum of our democracy. But – sometimes we have to step up and make a difference. This is one of those times.
The Forces Undermining Our Democracy
We currently face a daunting array of forces that are undermining our democracy and creating a very slippery slope to becoming subjects of authoritarian rule.
Political Polarization and Credibility
- Extreme partisanship – lack of required bipartisanship cooperation
- Gridlock – legislative inaction on critical issues
Election Integrity
- Gerrymandering
- Voter Suppression
- Denial of Election legitimacy
Threats to the Rule of Law
- Politicizing of Democratic Institutions
- Executive Overreach, Legislative Retreat and Inaction, Integrity of the Supreme Court
- Politicization of the Lower Federal Courts
Lack of a Common Truth and Media Fragmentation
- Echo Chambers Undercutting Common Ground and Reinforcing Polarization
- Online Propaganda Masquerading as “the Truth”
- Decline of Local Media
Political Extremism, Intimidation, and Violence
- Expansion and “Normalization” of Domestic Extremist Groups
- Threats and Violence Against Public Servants
- Intimidation of Organizations, Businesses, and Institutions
Foreign Interference
- Misinformation Campaigns in Elections
- Cyberattacks on American Institutions and Organizations
Saying “Yes” to the Challenge
Our challenge is to come together to act as citizens – even if we don’t feel ready or particularly powerful – for example:
- We ensure free and fair elections, countering gerrymandering, voter suppression, and misinformation
- We maintain and develop effective and credible branches of government – Executive, Congress, and the Supreme Court
- We ensure a fair and just “rule of law”
- We protect a free press and a common understanding of “the truth”
5. We manage a set of healthy “dynamic tensions” among political parties, between individual rights and community needs, between government and business, among differing values, and among different levels of government
6. We counter political and social polarization, the demonization of opponents, and the fear of “others”
7. We maintain a culture of confidence and responsibility – citizens confident in themselves and their government and feeling empowered to make a difference as citizens
8. AND – We hold elected officials, political appointees, and professionals in government agencies accountable for their performance and that of government