I am not focusing on the different political choices we made in the last presidential election; that’s history now. Instead, I’m turning the page and looking ahead with grave concern. I’m frightened by executive actions declared by President Trump, many challenging the Constitution and threatening our democracy.

James Madison argued in Federalist 47, “the accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands … may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.”

Are we not seeing this definition play out in our current political arena? We are at a tipping point that is alarming, hopefully not irreversible. Most importantly, how can we, the people, react responsibly?

I believe the answers lie in our civic responsibility to educate ourselves on the principles of our democracy and becoming informed voters. A 2024 study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that “more than 70% of Americans failed a basic U.S. civic literacy quiz; one in three respondents did not even know that there exist three branches of government, much less what those branches are and what they do.”

Sad results; we have serious homework to do. This is no time to shelter in our political silos. Securing democracy is our common ground. We need each other. Let’s educate ourselves, study the Constitution, have discussions in our communities. Proudly cross the political divide. As Justice Sandra Day O’Connor suggested, “We have to give up some of our individual interests so we don’t compromise our collective future.”

Join together, speak louder, and vote, please.

Cathy Roberts
Montville