Democracy Conversation Project

Practicing radical empathy

The suppression of third parties in the this country, by the government, the two parties, the media and pollsters. The Libertarian Party was on the ballot in all 50 States but were denied to be on stage in the Presidential debates.... The people who make the rules are a panel made up of Democrats and Republicans. The pollsters will not register if someone mentions a third party candidate. They put it in a category as other.... In New Jersey third parties are not allowed to have column A or B on the ballot and instead are given a line less favorable on the ballot and lumped together with other third parties. The lazy media is fixated on the two parties, it is too much work for them to investigate.... It is time for diversity in politics.

The very rich are taking far more than their “share” just because they can. This leaves the have-nots enraged and ready to fight for their “share.” Their schools, healthcare, jobs, and infrastructure are often terrible. What choice will they have but to fight in the end?

As a proud granddaughter of Eastern European immigrants, I am extremely thankful for all of the advantages available to me as an American citizen. However, our democracy is facing a major challenge from the far right, extremely conservative factions of our society who see violence and threats of violence as acceptable methods to accomplish their goals. When we have almost limitless opportunities to express our opinions, there is no excuse for this type of uncivilized, unethical and dangerous behavior.

I believe that one of the biggest challenges facing democracy today is misinformation. Between our reduced attention span and disinclination to check sources, those who benefit from fearmongering can easily prey on our anxieties and preconceived notions to stir up anger and resentment and fuel polarization.

The main challenge facing democracy is that we've allowed wealthy people to exert an insane level of power. We think that rich people are smarter than poor people, that they know more, that they'll help us get rich if they're in power. If it wasn't obvious in 1870 or 1910 or right now, rich people will spend vast sums on themselves and on maintaining hermetic control of government, no matter how many people die from epidemics (plural), air pollution, heat, flooding, gun violence, domestic abuse, childbirth, malnutrition, and so many more tragically preventable events.

White supremacy is another destructive force, especially when wealthy people use it to maintain power. Poor white people have much more in common with poor black and brown people, yet white supremacy allows the rich and powerful (is there a powerful person who isn't rich?) to cultivate a completely illusory feeling that underclass white people should entrust their lives, their children's lives, to wealthy people. Not only do the wealthiest gain supporters, but they also undermine opposition by reducing numbers and by leaving the most voiceless to protest this outrage.

Being a good citizen means thinking about how my action or inaction could benefit or hurt people I don't know personally -- people who live somewhere else, live in the past, or don't yet exist. A good citizen prioritizes our interconnectedness over individualism.

Trying to expand our knowledge and understanding is also vital. No one will ever know everything, and we'll always make mistakes no matter how old we are. I'm 56 and feel I will always be learning (and making mistakes).