Far from being perfect, as many Americans have long thought, our institutions are critically imperfect. And they are supported by a constitution that is also imperfect, as Justice Thurgood Marshall proclaimed 34 years ago as he argued for recognition of the need to improve it. The U.S. Constitution, so highly revered in American society, is … [Read more…]
A long-held belief in the United States was that American institutions and processes were superior to other nations. This idea was so strong that the public would not accept practices from abroad. I can remember politicians losing favor after suggesting that the United States adopt some idea or practice from a European country. In showing … [Read more…]
The right-wing minority dominating the country in the 21st century is in a strong position to maintain itself and its rule. Several anti-democratic processes seem to operate in a feedback-type loop to sustain the power of this minority. First, a minority of the people vote for a President who wins and a Senate that enacts … [Read more…]
In January 2020, I glimpsed a possible American future, and it was ominous. The winter months of 2020-2021 saw the so-called Second Amendment sanctuary movement sweep across the country. Then, in January, this movement came to Montgomery County, Virginia, and I witnessed it up-close and uncomfortably. They had come to try and persuade the County … [Read more…]
In a recent article Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor, accused Congressional Democratic leaders of being lax about the wealthy, who donate to their campaigns as well as the campaigns of Republicans. He points out that these “wealth supremacists” have quietly joined white supremacists to become a powerful anti-democracy coalition. According to Reich, some wealth … [Read more…]