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Plumes of smoke rise over the oil depot tanks hit by joint Israel-U.S.

Russia is Winning the War in Iran. Earth is Losing

​A group of youngsters help posting posters.

Combating America’s Toxic Polarization: Lessons from Northern Ireland’s Troubles

Judicial Independence Over Judicial Sycophancy

Judicial Independence Over Judicial Sycophancy

​Reporters and members of the media raise their hand to ask a question to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump’s 15 Attacks on Press Freedom Mark an Unprecedented Crisis

Cathy Alderman: Housing Is Healthcare

Cathy Alderman: Housing Is Healthcare

Democracy in Action: February Retrospective

Opinion

Democracy in Action: February Retrospective

Calendar page February of the year 2025 white color in meeting room in office.

Getty Images//Midnight Studio
Hugo Balta
By Hugo BaltaMar 15, 2025
Hugo Balta
Hugo Balta is a journalist, educator, and communicator. Hugo is the executive editor of the Fulcrum and a board member of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, the parent organization of The Fulcrum. He is the publisher of the Latino News Network, a trainer with the Solutions Journalism Network, and an adjunct professor teaching journalism courses.
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Welcome to Democracy In Action, insights and discussion about some of the most talked-about topics of the previous month with Fulcrum collaborators.

Consistent with the Fulcrum's mission, this program strives to share many perspectives to widen our readers' viewpoints.

There is, as always, so much to talk about…including President Trump and V-P JD Vance are accused of ambushing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, Elon Musk leading an assault on USAID, and Linda McMahon being confirmed as secretary of education.

Joining us to discuss these topics and more are:

Doris Maldonado Mendez, a member of the Connecticut Mirror’s Community Editorial Board.

Dr. Ulcca Joshi Hansen, a futurist and the author of the award-winning book The Future of Smart. Her research and writing focus on bridging cultural and ideological divides during periods of rapid social change.

Seth David Radwell, author of “American Schism: How the Two Enlightenments Hold the Secret to Healing our Nation” and he serves on the Advisory Councils at Business for America, RepresentUs, and The Grand Bargain Project.

I am the executive editor of the Fulcrum and a board member of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, the parent organization of The Fulcrum. He is the publisher of the Latino News Network and a trainer with the Solutions Journalism Network.

We began the conversation with President Trump’s threat to shut down the Department of Education.

- YouTubeyoutu.be

Check out:

Project 2025: Department of Education

DEI programs are essential to tackle systemic barriers

Americans may have voted to dismantle government, but they must not leave their children behind


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Ethics & Leadership

Eisenhower’s D‑Day Leadership Shows What America Has Lost

The Rings and the Great Debate

The Rings and the Great Debate

America was much more of a mess at the bicentennial than it is today
Community

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8 Keys to Working Across Differences

Around 600 leaders from across the country gathered in Seattle for the Building Together 2026 conference.

8 Keys to Working Across Differences

Recently, close to 600 leaders from across the country — representing some of the nation’s largest grant makers, community foundations, and grassroots groups — gathered in Seattle. They joined forces to strategize on how to do the difficult work of bringing Americans together in an era of intense polarization that threatens to pull us apart.

The charitable sector has always played this role in American life, fueled by the belief that the country’s diversity of identities, priorities, and worldviews is a resource, not an obstacle. It mobilizes people from all walks of life when floods, wildfires, and other crises strike. It builds powerful coalitions for the common good, whether for a local park, job creation, or new affordable housing. And it connects people across seemingly insurmountable divides born of our differences in politics, class, race, faith, and more.

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Pluralism has a messaging problem. Explore how body metaphors shape politics, exclusion, diversity, and democratic governance across difference.


Malte Mueller / Getty Images

We Need a New Metaphor of Us

Pluralism has a messaging problem. Part of the reason why is that there is no common emotionally intuitive metaphor for the collaborative co-creation of governance across differences that is a pluralistic democracy.

This matters because humans do not think politically through abstract principles alone — we think through metaphor.

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Congressional Record: Capitol Hill’s Bipartisan Concert Starring Musical Congress Members

Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL) on the drums.

Congressional Record: Capitol Hill’s Bipartisan Concert Starring Musical Congress Members

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives and senators remain fiercely divided over President Donald Trump… yet they remain united over John Denver.

On May 13, hundreds of attendees packed the U.S. Capitol Building’s auditorium for Congressional Record, a concert where musical Republican and Democratic members of Congress alike showcased their talents. Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads served as the grand finale, with all members joining onstage in a rousing performance across party lines.

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Two Yellow Speech Bubbles Overlapping Common Ground on Blue Background Front View.

A reflection on parenting, empathy, and communication in a divided world.

Getty Images, MirageC

Agreement Is Not Understanding

During a recent conversation, my 16-year-old son told me I did not understand him.

Parents know these moments well. What begins as a disagreement about something practical can quickly become something larger. A conversation about rules, expectations, timing, priorities, or responsibility suddenly transforms into a referendum on whether your child feels seen, heard, and respected.

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