By 2013, because of moral lunacy wrought in high places, it was clear that America was a Flawed Democracy. Americans had lost trust in political institutions, voting rates were low and erratic, and big money had overpowering control in politics. Moreover, an ominous portend for the future of Democracy was evinced — for the first time in American history, more than 50% of public school students were poor enough to qualify for free or reduced lunch.
The 2013 condition ought to have pressed us to participate in the transformation of every aspect of personal and organizational entities that are responsible for the development of the Democratic Principles adopted by the founders. Instead, in 2016 we elected Donald Trump. With a failure of this magnitude, one must look first among the leaders of the loyal opposition, those who claim to be James Madison’s “considerate and best friends of the Constitution,” to determine causes and solutions; the latter – solutions — immediately critical.
As with many concepts that were more effective in the past — marches, petitions, surveys, polls, demonstrations, boycotts, even going to jail – certainly before 2016, this one – Speaking Truth to Power — surely needs to be examined in view of current reality. America is enamored with “calling people out.”
Speaking Truth to America’s current rulers — Trump’s Power Base in DC – obviously has no impact on their mindset or actions. They are not moved by those who are speaking to them on behalf of the great majority of Americans. I am well aware that the needs of ordinary citizens, particularly the least among us, held little sway in decision-making discourse in years past. However, according to a recent study, their effect in recent years has been near ZERO.
Our flawed democratic condition says more about the leaders of the masses than it does about the current ruling autocrats. There have always been evil-doers ready to betray this country. But now, moneyed elites have become all-powerful in politics.
In 1941, President Roosevelt said: We must especially beware of that small group of selfish men who would clip the wings of the American eagle in order to feather their own nest. But, 2016 was the first time we knowingly selected such a person as America’s leader even though we had been forewarned.
A society whose citizens refuse to see and investigate the facts, who refuse to believe that their government (the ruling faction) and their media will routinely lie to them and fabricate a reality contrary to verifiable facts, is a society that chooses and deserves the Police State Dictatorship it’s going to get. –Ian Williams Goddard
The only title in our democracy superior (e.g., more powerful) to that of President is the title of American Citizen. – Louis Brandeis In 2024, about 190 million Americans, an immense power base, did not choose to be ruled by fascists.
Now more than ever, we advocates for democratic principles, irrespective of party or any other affiliations, must speak harder truth to that massive number of Americans, the alleged powerless, in ways that make them understand that contrary to what they have been told for centuries, they do have power. Moreover, they should be informed in very explicit terms as to the means by which they can use that power to save themselves and America.
The people’s power against FASCISM must be marshalled and orchestrated, for the people will not follow a tentative, uncertain drummer, which the democratic “leadership” is proving to be. right now, I can’t determine who is the LEADER of the Democratic party. As we have seen, Americans will follow, and tolerate, even a fascist leader if he is bold, assertive, and lion-like in his behavior and utterances, and is resolute in his purpose. In the case of the Trumpists, the purpose is a Trump Monarchy. A certainty that we must keep repeating.
Virtue (Wisdom combined with Honor) is so essential to the establishment and preservation of liberty that it is impossible for a corrupted people to set up a good government, or for tyranny to be introduced if they are virtuous. – From Machiavelli
Many people are now ashamed that in recent elections, they allowed domestic enemies and deceivers to induce them to suppress their obligation to do right. They must forgive themselves for not knowing better — these are unprecedented times in American history. Shame can immobilize.
So, if your votes in 2016 and 2024 helped inflict harm on your country, only you know exactly how you voted, and only you can exonerate yourself. Don’t simply lament — when you walk into the voting booth at the Midterms in 2026, and you should, you have the opportunity to help set America back on the right path. The act of voting speaks Truth to Power, and is also personally redemptive.
