I had an unsettling thought over the weekend.
What if the real reason democracy is slipping away isn’t because of corruption or political polarization or misinformation—but because we, the people, have just become too lazy to care?
Maybe we don’t really want the responsibility of governing ourselves anymore. Maybe we’d rather just hand it all over to someone like Trump—someone who tells us we don’t have to think, we don’t have to decide, we don’t have to engage, because he’ll take care of it for us.
When I shared this with my wife, Ann, she had a different perspective. “It’s not laziness,” she said. “It’s resignation. People have given up because they know the system doesn’t work for them. They’ve been beaten down by a government that seems to serve only the wealthy and powerful, and they’ve realized they have almost no influence over it. It’s not that they don’t care—it’s that they no longer believe their participation will make a difference.”
Maybe we’re both right. Maybe the truth is some toxic mix of the two—resignation feeding complacency, complacency reinforcing resignation, until we find ourselves exactly where we are now: a nation deeply divided, uncertain of its future, and flirting with authoritarianism.
And that’s why I think Donald Trump deserves our thanks. Not for his leadership. Not for his policies. But for making it undeniably clear that freedom and democracy are not free. They require an investment. Not another campaign contribution, but something more valuable: our time and our attention. Not just during elections, but regularly—like brushing our teeth if we want to keep them.
A Short Thank-You Note to Donald Trump
Dear Mr. Trump,
Thank you for waking us up. Thank you for making it painfully obvious that democracy doesn’t run on autopilot. You have shown us that when we disengage, the loudest, most self-serving voices fill the void. You have demonstrated that if we don’t actively participate, the system will default to serving those who crave power above all else.
You have made it clear that we must choose between passive resignation and active responsibility. And for that wake-up call, we owe you our gratitude.
Sincerely,
We the People
The Realization That Changed Everything
Like many people, I’ve had fleeting thoughts over the years: Maybe I should run for office. Maybe I should do more. But just as quickly, my mind would produce a thousand reasons why that’s a bad idea. Politics is messy. It’s exhausting. It’s corrupt. I wouldn’t stand a chance.
But here’s the thing—we don’t all have to become politicians. That’s never been the point of democracy. The point is that we must become responsible and caring citizens. Radical idea, right? (Yes, that’s sarcasm.) But somehow, in the daily noise of our lives, we’ve forgotten it.
The question is: What does responsible citizenship look like? And more importantly, how do we make it part of our daily lives, so that democracy doesn’t just survive but thrives?
Bringing the One Cause Perspective to Democracy
For those unfamiliar, One Cause is a framework for understanding and solving the biggest crises facing humanity—not just climate change, but the deep, systemic patterns of thought that have led us here. It’s based on two core ideas:
The Four Great Untruths (4 GUTs): The false beliefs that have shaped human civilization and caused immense destruction.
The Four Great Truths (4 GTs): The alternative principles that can guide us toward a regenerative, sustainable future.
Let’s apply these to democracy:
The Four Great Untruths in Politics:
Separation: We are divided. We must fight to win. My side vs. your side.
Scarcity: There’s not enough for everyone, so we must hoard power and resources.
Unquestioned Growth: Winning at all costs is more important than the well-being of the whole. (And that includes our species as well as nature and Earth)
Domination: Leadership is about control, not service or stewardship.
Sound familiar? These are the foundations of our current political dysfunction—the driving forces behind gridlock, corruption, and the erosion of trust. These are the Great Untruths that have led us to the brink of this existential crisis of humankind.
The Four Great Truths as a Path Forward:
Interconnection: We are not separate. Democracy only works when we recognize our shared fate.
Sufficiency: We don’t need to hoard power. A thriving society provides enough for all when we remember how to share.
Reciprocity: Leadership should be about service, the giving and receiving that support and care for all.
Stewardship: Democracy is something we must tend to, not something to exploit.
When we shift from the Four Great Untruths to the Four Great Truths, democracy transforms from a battleground into a living system—one that requires care, participation, and a long-term vision.
What Comes Next: The Investment We Must Make
So, if democracy is like brushing our teeth, what does that daily habit look like? Here are some small but meaningful ways we can reinvest in it:
✅ Become News-Literate: Take responsibility for consuming diverse, fact-based information—not just whatever confirms your biases.
Here are a couple of such resources to consider:
1. 1440 Newsletter: The 1440 Newsletter is a daily digest that curates and summarizes the day's most significant stories across various topics, including politics, business, and culture. It aims to present news without bias, allowing readers to form their own opinions. Media Bias/Fact Check rates 1440 as "Least Biased," noting its balanced story selection and minimal editorializing. However, it's important to note that 1440 aggregates news from other sources rather than conducting original reporting.
2. Associated Press (AP) The Associated Press is a longstanding news organization known for its commitment to fast, accurate, and unbiased news reporting across formats. With journalists in nearly 100 countries and all 50 U.S. states, AP emphasizes accurate, fact-based, nonpartisan reporting. Its reputation for neutrality makes it a reliable source for staying informed.
✅ Engage in Conversations: Talk with people outside your political bubble. Remember, in such conversations it’s important to seek understanding, not just victory. (Yes, I’m reminding myself of this important point.)
✅ Show Up Locally: Attend a city council meeting, volunteer for a cause, or support local candidates who align with regenerative values.
✅ Vote in Every Election: Not just the big ones—every local election, every time.
✅ Support the Shift: Help change the conversation from fear-based reaction to future-based creation. That’s how we make politics purposeful again.
✅ Learn how democracy is supposed to work: In my days, students were required to take courses like Civics, and no, they were not a favorite for most of us, but they did provide a foundation for becoming responsible citizens. It’s not too late to teach yourself.
Final Thought: This Is Our Moment
Trump’s rise wasn’t an accident. It was a reflection of where we had already drifted as a society—disengaged, disconnected, resigned. But here’s the good news:
if our inaction helped create this moment, our action can transform it.
Democracy is still ours to reclaim. The future is still ours to build. The question is whether we’ll take that responsibility or let it slip away.
What will you choose?
Let’s talk about it. What’s one small way you’re willing to reinvest in democracy today? Drop a comment or share this with someone who needs to hear it.
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