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Does American Democracy Have to Be Saved from the People or By the People?

The American Flag tangled in a knot.

Getty Images / Rob Dobi

Does American Democracy Have to Be Saved from the People or By the People?

It is hard enough to promote or save democracy when the public is relatively united in its desire to do so. The experience of the “color revolutions” in former Soviet Republics offers powerful evidence for that proposition. It may seem almost impossible to do so when much of the public is disillusioned with the democratic system in which they live or when they are, at best, indifferent.

Sadly, it looks like this is the situation now facing the United States.

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Contentious Senate Hearings Begin

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on January 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

Contentious Senate Hearings Begin

President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth as defense secretary set the stage for a series of confirmation hearings ahead of the inauguration on January 20.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Democrats raised concerns about Hegseth’s qualifications, particularly regarding his experience in managing nonprofit finances and his personal conduct. They argued that he does not meet the expected standards for a leader at the Pentagon.

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American flags fly with a beautiful bright blue sky
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Kick off 2025 at the ‘Faith in Democracy’ vigil

Every year during the holiday season, The Fulcrum publishes stories that reflect themes of the holiday season, with universal messages that are central to the holiday spirit — messages of love, kindness, hope and generosity that are universal values to peoples of all cultures and backgrounds.

This season is no different. On this Christmas day we have a special announcement: The fourth annual Faith in Democracy interfaith vigil will take place Jan. 5 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It will be led by the Franciscan Action Network, Sojourners, Faith in Peace Concerts, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and many other partners that will bring together faith leaders and believers from a variety of traditions, all speaking from sacred texts that guide us to protect the rights of all and to resolve our differences without violence.

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Santa Claus holding an American flag
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus – and so much more
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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus – and a future for the U.S.

Yes, Virginia … and our other 49 states, there is, and will continue to be, a United States of America.

In history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, written to the editor of the New York Sun in 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon asked for a definitive answer as to whether there is, or is not, a Santa Claus.

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