• Home
  • Opinion
  • Quizzes
  • Redistricting
  • Sections
  • About Us
  • Voting
  • Events
  • Civic Ed
  • Campaign Finance
  • Directory
  • Election Dissection
  • Fact Check
  • Glossary
  • Independent Voter News
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Subscriptions
  • Log in
Leveraging Our Differences
  • news & opinion
    • Big Picture
      • Civic Ed
      • Ethics
      • Leadership
      • Leveraging big ideas
      • Media
    • Business & Democracy
      • Corporate Responsibility
      • Impact Investment
      • Innovation & Incubation
      • Small Businesses
      • Stakeholder Capitalism
    • Elections
      • Campaign Finance
      • Independent Voter News
      • Redistricting
      • Voting
    • Government
      • Balance of Power
      • Budgeting
      • Congress
      • Judicial
      • Local
      • State
      • White House
    • Justice
      • Accountability
      • Anti-corruption
      • Budget equity
    • Columns
      • Beyond Right and Left
      • Civic Soul
      • Congress at a Crossroads
      • Cross-Partisan Visions
      • Democracy Pie
      • Our Freedom
  • Pop Culture
      • American Heroes
      • Ask Joe
      • Celebrity News
      • Comedy
      • Dance, Theatre & Film
      • Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
      • Faithful & Mindful Living
      • Music, Poetry & Arts
      • Sports
      • Technology
      • Your Take
      • American Heroes
      • Ask Joe
      • Celebrity News
      • Comedy
      • Dance, Theatre & Film
      • Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
      • Faithful & Mindful Living
      • Music, Poetry & Arts
      • Sports
      • Technology
      • Your Take
  • events
  • About
      • Mission
      • Advisory Board
      • Staff
      • Contact Us
Sign Up
  1. Home>
  2. democracy reform>

A new politics is needed

Debilyn Molineaux
David L. Nevins
https://www.facebook.com/debilynm/
https://twitter.com/debilynm?lang=en
https://www.instagram.com/debilynmolineaux/
May 02, 2022
reforming politics
wildpixel/Getty Images

Molineaux is president/CEO of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, and Nevins is its co-founder and board chairman. They are co-publishers of The Fulcrum.

A new politics is needed for the United States to continue. Politics is our process of deciding who we trust to hold power. It is the power to guide our governance, to decide our collective priorities. In the last several decades, our politics has exhibited a raw struggle for power to dominate instead of to govern.

This is one reason we accepted stewardship of The Fulcrum, one year ago. As we celebrate our one-year anniversary as co-publishers, we highlight advances in the restoration of our ability to govern and point to areas that need improvement.


A year ago we told our readers that “we must harness the tension of our differences in order to strengthen the bond between us in order to empower Americans of all stripes in our movement.”

Throughout unforeseen events like a global pandemic, insurrection and the land-grab by Russia in Ukraine, we have seen the strain on our checks and balances. Without accountability by the voters and judicial system, will our checks and balances hold? The increasing polarization is plaguing the ability of our democracy to survive. Throughout the last year, we have stood fast by the principles that are the basis for our philosophy of self-governance. We believe we are better as a nation when we collaborate, embrace differences, focus on solutions, and are open minded all ensuring that Americans are informed and active. This is the foundation of a just and healthy democracy where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

The continued belief by many in falsehoods around the November 2020 election create a justifiable fear that the electorate will be enticed by autocratic rhetoric. That many believers are running for office in 2022 could result in our country departing from the sacred principles of our Constitution. Yet we believe there is reason for hope.

A recent Harvard/Harris Poll shows a majority of Americans believe our nation is on the wrong track and that neither Joe Biden nor Donald Trump should run for a second term. Additionally 58 percent indicated they would consider a moderate presidential candidate if given such an option.

A majority of Americans clearly want something better. If offered the opportunity we believe that citizens will elect leaders who are direct and honest in public statements putting ethical commitments above partisan or career objectives. We believe that when given the choice, citizens want our elected representative to engage constructively rather than dehumanizing each other with polarizing rhetoric.

Before running for office, two 2022 candidates worked in the electoral reform space, advocating for “country over party” thinking through the Millennial Action Project (helping elect young people to office) and Stand Up Republic (a center-right advocacy group focused on leadership).

For instance, Stand Up Republic co-founder Evan McMullin is running a unique Senate campaign in Utah. This could serve as a test of a new politics that puts country before party. The state Democratic Party will not be nominating a candidate to run against Republican Sen. Mike Lee, instead throwing its support to McMullin, an independent. After receiving the partys’ support, McMullin said:

"Democrats are putting country over party. We have got to take a stand as Utahns. I don't care if you're a Democrat or or an independent or a Republican or a member of the United Utah Party, this is a line that cannot be crossed, our right to hold our leaders accountable and to vote for or against them and have a peaceful transition of power is essential for liberty and justice in America."

Another interesting Senate race is taking place in Wisconsin. Former MAP CEO Steven Olikara, who is seeking the Democratic nomination, believes a new politics is needed for the times we live in, and he has personally worked for many years with state legislators from both parties to “create a more honest and inclusive politics - one that centers on dignity for all.”

The Harvard/Harris poll will soon be put to the test. Will a coalition of moderates form to support these two Senate candidates? And if they win, will McMullin and Olikara help restore the conviction to govern with the common good in mind, instead of raw political power to dominate policy making?

As we celebrate our anniversary of becoming co-publishers of The Fulcrum, we are excited to report on the course-correction underway in our country. Even if we can’t quite see it yet.

From Your Site Articles
  • Evan McMullin launches independent bid for Senate in Utah - The ... ›
  • History shows dark night of politics will end - The Fulcrum ›
  • What Andrew Yang's new party means for American politics - The ... ›
  • David Jolly: Why I'm leading a new political party - The Fulcrum ›
  • There are no simple answers on affirmative action - The Fulcrum ›
Related Articles Around the Web
  • Why are Utah Democrats backing Evan McMullin? Can McMullin ... ›
  • #primaryproblem - Twitter Search / Twitter ›
  • Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Steven Olikara unveils 'agenda ... ›
  • Building a stronger America starts with a stronger middle class | The ... ›
democracy reform

Join an Upcoming Event

America at a Crossroads, with Judy Woodruff

Common Ground Committee
Jun 08, 2023 at 12:00 am CDT
Read More

Conversation Collective hosted by

Citizen Discourse
Jun 08, 2023 at 11:00 am CDT
Read More

Civic Synergy Leadership Program

Civic Synergy
Jun 08, 2023 at 7:00 pm EDT
Read More

Final Five Voting Happy Hour

Veterans for Political Innovation
Jun 12, 2023 at 4:30 pm CDT
Read More

Tribalism 101: Next Door Strangers Conversation

Living Room Conversations
Jun 12, 2023 at 8:00 pm MDT
Read More

The People’s 2023 National Assembly

The People
Jun 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm EDT
Read More
View All Events

Want to write
for The Fulcrum?

If you have something to say about ways to protect or repair our American democracy, we want to hear from you.

Submit
Get some Leverage Sign up for The Fulcrum Newsletter
Confirm that you are not a bot.
×
Follow
Contributors

Why does a man wearing earrings drive Christians crazy?

Paul Swearengin

DeSantis' sitcom world

Lawrence Goldstone

Hypocrisy of pro-lifers being anti-LGBTQIA

Steve Corbin

A dangerous loss of trust

William Natbony

Shifting the narrative on homelessness in America

David L. Nevins

Reform in 2023: Leadership worth celebrating

Layla Zaidane
latest News

Your Take: The debt ceiling

Lennon Wesley III
14h

My center-right principles led me to embrace Ranked Choice Voting. Here's why.

Nate Plautz
14h

A win for the center

Lawrence Goldstone
07 June

Building a resilient democracy: Unmasking the true threats

Kristina Becvar
07 June

Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics looks for help

Howard Gorrell
07 June

Faith-based communities have a role to play in strengthening democracy

Sofi Hersher Andorsky
07 June
Videos

Video: The Buffalo shooting, how far have we come on race?

Our Staff

Video: Daughters and Sons

David L. Nevins

Video: Why music? Why now?

David L. Nevins

Video: Honoring Memorial Day

Our Staff

Video: #ListenFirst Friday YOUnify & CPL

Our Staff

Video: What is the toll of racial violence on Black lives?

Our Staff
Podcasts

Podcast: Why Is Congressional Oversight Important, and How Can It Be Done Well? (with Elise Bean)

Kevin R. Kosar
Elise J. Bean
30 May

Podcast: Saving democracy from & with AI

Our Staff
01 June

Podcast: AI revolution: Disaster or great leap forward?

Our Staff
25 May

Podcast: Can we fix America's financial crises?

Our Staff
23 May
Recommended
Your Take: The debt ceiling

Your Take: The debt ceiling

Congress
My center-right principles led me to embrace Ranked Choice Voting. Here's why.

My center-right principles led me to embrace Ranked Choice Voting. Here's why.

Big Picture
A win for the center

A win for the center

Congress
Building a resilient democracy: Unmasking the true threats

Building a resilient democracy: Unmasking the true threats

Threats to democracy
Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics looks for help

Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics looks for help

Pop Culture
Faith-based communities have a role to play in strengthening democracy

Faith-based communities have a role to play in strengthening democracy

Diversity Inclusion and Belonging