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Our country. Our choice. Our responsibility.
We are a very diverse nation in faith, politics, social beliefs and much more. Yet, at important times in history—such as World War II and the ensuing 1948 Marshall Plan, or the moon landing in 1969—we have come together through industry, innovation, and deeply shared values of decency, empathy, and courage. At those times, we become a distinctively caring and strong nation unified around what most matters—a true catalyzing force for good.
Alas, this is not one of those times. Our commonalities have not been fully erased—or so I hope. But, perhaps through identity politics more than policy differences [1], we became profoundly polarized [2]. We now seek disagreement where dialogue is needed, and we let dogma prevail where open-mindedness would serve us so much better.
It is time for a deep reflection—from all of us.
A reflection that starts with the clear understanding that the Trump administration was elected democratically—as were Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Once elected, the administration predictably embraced Project 2025 [3, 4] to create a blueprint for authoritarian governance. Also predictably, layers of random complexity and chaos have been overlaid onto that blueprint by the president’s ego, grievances, and self-interest.
The result is an administration that disregards established norms and that stretches moral, ethical and legal boundaries of governance. And, with this, separation of powers is crumbling as are the rule of law and the foundational infrastructure that has historically fostered our vibrant, informed, caring and productive society.
This administration has also engaged us in a war of choice, without committed partners or supporting UN resolutions, with a heavy economic toll internally, and with no exit strategy. Even beyond the war effects, our economy is leaving behind too many Americans, while enriching select few beyond comprehension. Potentially existential threats—from climate change to AI—are senselessly left unattended or aggravated. Vast associated opportunities—like green energy or regulated AI—are stubbornly ignored or preempted. In this and so much more, we are ceding our global leadership to China and others.
The status quo is catalyzed in part by a struggling information ecosystem, unable to fight—and often contributing to—incessant misinformation and disinformation. Objective media is struggling and under attack, when it is more than ever needed to separate truth from fabrication, to make power more accountable to the People, and to mitigate rather than fuel divisive echo chambers.
The status quo has also been made possible by an opposition that only recently started finding a firmer footing and (perhaps) emerging leadership and communication strategies. And elected Republican officials have an enormous share of responsibility for forsaking their ‘for-the-People’ responsibility to our citizens and Constitution. A stronger and more compelling opposition is sorely needed, as is a far more responsible and ethical exercise of power by Republican majorities in Congress.
But hoping for saviors is neither a strategy nor a long-term solution. Even more than the information ecosystem, the late-to-the-game opposition, and the rubber-stamping Republican majority in Congress, we—the American citizenry—are making today’s reality possible. In fact, we chose this. We thus have the responsibility to solve it.
In 2024, Trump won both the popular and the electoral college votes. We knew him well enough to anticipate that he would stretch government norms, destabilize our economy, disrupt climate change mitigation, renegue on our responsibilities to the less fortunate Americans and the world at large, etc. Still, the majority of actual voters gave him the power to do just that and more—including wars of choice and runaway AI.
Over 77 million voters chose Trump. Not enough (just above 75 million) opposed him by voting for the only other viable candidate. The difference was less than the nearly 3 million votes for other candidates. And nearly 90 million eligible Americans—the largest block by far—chose to not vote at all. All behaviors that combined to give Trump a 312 to 226 Electoral College victory.
These numbers beg an important question:
Trump aside, will we continue to move along the self-destructive path we are on? A path self-destructive of our union as a People. Of our collective pride of country and citizenship. Of our humanity, tolerance and moral compass. Of a collaborative and peaceful society. Of our global leadership and stewardship. Of our economy. Of our health. Of the safety nets for those falling behind economically or health wise. Of our coming together after 9/11, a quarter of century ago. Of the guardrails protecting our trailblazing democratic experiment, now 250 years old. And more.
Will we???
Imperfections and all, I hope that we are too strong and decent a nation to let that happen. Republicans, (progressive or centrist) Democrats, independents, or otherwise—we are all Americans. We can find a better path … if we come together on the things that the vast majority of us believe in; if we resist the efforts of some to divide the many into friends and foes; if we look deep inside us and build consensus where we can, while respecting differences where we are too far apart.
Let’s burst out of our biases and social media bubbles, talk to each other across our self-imposed political and social divides, and join forces to build a better future. And let’s vote to promote a government for and by the People. That means, first and foremost, rejecting authoritarianism and intolerance—and those who have been their subservient enablers.
Ideally, we should vote for candidates with substance, humanity, and ethics. Candidates aiming for a society and economy that reward entrepreneurship but have safety nets for all. Candidates who are driven by a spirit of service to all Americans, rather than by lust for power. Candidates who are open to thoughtful social, economic and political change. Candidates with more allegiance to country than to party. Candidates who believe in alternance of power. Candidates inspiring trust—regardless of their affiliation.
In reality, though, we have had a de facto two-party system since the mid 19th century. With our ever-increasing partisan polarization, our choice this November is in practice binary: which party, far more than which candidate? And Democrats are currently the only party standing between us and authoritarianism, and between us and today’s social and economic chaos.
Let’s thus be wise and mandate Democrats to govern, with majorities in both houses of Congress. Importantly, let’s not get distracted by purity tests, single issues (important as they might be), disillusionment with all things political, or the ‘socialists’ versus ‘centrists’ debate among Democrats. This is not a time for abstention or protest voting. This is a time to see the forest, not the trees, to move the country away from self-inflicted implosion.
Once we elect them, let’s hold officials and party accountable. District by district, state by state. Accountable for:
- Preventing or reversing excesses of the Administration—while seeking collaboration where it serves the country.
- A new chance at Democracy and its freedoms and responsibilities—where political prosecution is unacceptable while truth, decency and alternance of power are norms.
- Clear progress in solving today’s existential issues—from affordability to climate change, responsible AI, national security, migratory flows, global peace and more.
- A more accessible health care system—where science and technology advances are paired with affordability, information, and compassion.
- A more stable economy—where national prosperity and fair distribution of wealth go hand-on-hand.
- Political reform—allowing a nuanced representation of the views of all Americans and disallowing undue influence of money on elections and policy decisions.
- A path towards an independent judicial system—trusted to interpret the law without political bias or favor.
- Forward-looking reforms of our science & technology and education systems—driven by societal needs but free of political micromanagement.
- Empowering a responsible media ecosystem—where freedom of speech is protected and there is no place for misinformation.
- Re-asserting our country’s global leadership—as a beacon of democracy and a principled force for the good.
- Building towards governments trusted by all and serving all—bridging rather than dividing and solving rather than posturing.
How do we make them accountable? For any newly elected Congress, as for any and all other elected officials, we enforce accountability via all peaceful, ethic, and legal means available in a Democracy. Certainly, by civic participation, polls, demonstrations, opinion pieces—and other means limited only by our imagination and commitment.
But, most importantly, by being responsible voters: present, informed, and committed to the principles and practice of Democracy and ‘for-the-People’ governance.
Because these principles and practice matter. They are at the core of the American Dream. They promote initiative and innovation. They protect and elevate each of us. They afford us dignity and rightful ambition. They are the best path to take insecurity and fear out of the picture—and replace them with justifiable ‘pride of ownership’ in the ‘more perfect Union’ that we can (still) build together.
Do we have it in us?
— Antonio Baptista
PS: Many Americans are concerned that the upcoming November election may not be fair. It goes without saying that all peaceful, legal and ethical means should be pursued to preserve the integrity of the vote. But despite (and because!) such concerns, let’s take this and all elections—primary or general, at local, state and national level—for the essential exercises in civic responsibility that they are. That means voting.
Links
[3] https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24804857-project-2025/?responsive=1&title=1
