Many citizens feel that our democracy is in danger. What can we do to strengthen it? Here are four ways:
A bedrock principle of democracy is free and fair elections. Even before the 2020 election, then President Trump stated that if he lost, it was because the election was rigged. How can democracy work in such conditions? Afterwards, he continued to claim the election had been stolen. He then proceeded to try to overthrow the election himself. Although his claims were denied by the courts, a significant percentage of the population continues to believe that the election was not fair. This undermines our democracy.
Quoting from the report, Lost, Not Stolen referenced below:
“We have become deeply troubled by efforts to overturn or discredit the results of the 2020 Presidential Election. There is no principle of our Republic more fundamental than the right of the People to elect our leaders and for their votes to be counted accurately. Efforts to thwart the People’s choice are deeply undemocratic and unpatriotic. Claims that an election was stolen, or that the outcome resulted from fraud, are deadly serious and should be made only on the basis of real and powerful evidence. If the American people lose trust that our elections are free and fair, we will lose our democracy.”
We should elect leaders who accept the outcome of the 2020 election as a free and fair election, and who do not believe in unfounded allegations or conspiracy theories.
Our democracy is based on the rule of law. No one, including ex-presidents, is above the law. Here are the current indictments and convictions against ex-President Trump. “An indictment is a formal accusation, that based on the available evidence, there existed a probable cause to charge the accused with a crime. The grand jury will deliberate in private after the evidence is presented. In federal cases, 12 of the minimum 16 grand jurors required to be present need to vote for indictment.” Descriptions of the criminal charges the defendant is facing are listed in the formal indictment.
We must support candidates that believe the rule of law applies to everyone, including themselves.
An Urgent Warning From America’s Retired Military Leadership
Nineteen retired four-star generals and admirals and former service secretaries submitted an amicus brief siding with Jack Smith, Special Prosecutor, on whether presidents are immune from criminal prosecution. The immunity question was decided but the issues are still current and of deep concern.
Abraham Lincoln Predicted This Moment. He Didn’t Like What He saw.
Justin Collings shares a speech from Abraham Lincoln—his first famous speech. His stated topic, “The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions,” has a haunting relevance for us today in a time of toxic polarization, rhetorical stridency and, increasingly, more-than-rhetorical calls for political violence.
We must elect representatives who are committed to uphold the Constitution.
Power in our democracy is shared between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government, providing checks and balances against the abuse of power. In an authoritarian government, the party in control seeks to maintain control by co-opting the other branches and using them to enforce its will. Eventually, this can lead to the establishment of a dictatorship. The article given below, authored by Protect Democracy.org gives ten ways we can fight authoritarianism.
Lost, Not Stolen, the report by eight prominent Republicans concerning the court cases of the 2020 elections.
Information Regarding Claims of a Stolen or Fraudulent 2020 Presidential Election, by Dr. Brad Agle and team.
Learn About the Four Stages of the Election to Prepare for Actions by Bad Actors, by Brad Radarstorf
Our Democracy is in the Balance, by Ian Bassin and Justin Florence
Documents for Indictments and Convictions:
Republican-appointed Judges Raise Alarm Over Trump Attacks on Law