JEFF COHEN and NORMAN SOLOMON – In a play by Bertolt Brecht, the persecuted astronomer Galileo says: “Unhappy the land that needs heroes.” Right now, the United States is unhappy enough to need a lot of heroes – and during this election year, many have emerged. Here are five of the notable ones.
Can We Reverse Out-of-Control Campaign Spending?
SONALI KOLHATKAR – Every election, wealthy elites spend record-breaking amounts of money to influence outcomes. What can be done to stop it?
If you are among those who want to help elections safeguards hold and enforce election results, here’s how
DANIEL HUNTER – A NY Times editorial opined, “The Trump Era Is Fading.” That doesn’t quite capture it — but there are indeed signs: the MAGA coalition is splintering, much of the country has run out of patience with Trump, and Trump 2.0 is no longer the freight train it was. It looks more like the chaotic Trump 1.0 era. But MAGA’s goals for authoritarian consolidation remain real — complete with cabinet accomplices — making all the more need to sign-up and be ready for post-election nonsense.
Why We Must Stand with Major Jason Watson
JEFFREY STERLING – For almost two months, an Air Force officer has been sitting alone in a cell, twenty-four hours a day. When they let him out to eat or exercise, he’s still alone, according to his attorney. His name is Major Jason Watson. He hasn’t been convicted of anything. Under military law he is presumed innocent, yet he’s still in that cell.
How to Stop Trump’s Coup: Lessons from South Korea
PAUL ROGAT LOEB and JUNGMIN CHOI – Have pro-democracy organizers across the US engaged enough people to prevent Trump from overturning election results he doesn’t like? We won’t know until Election Day and the days immediately after. Meanwhile, South Korea’s example can inspire and instruct us as Americans defend our own beleaguered democracy.
The Greatest Risk for Business Is Inaction
DR. MARIA J. STEPHAN and HARDY MERRIMAN – When business leaders hear concerns about democratic backsliding, they tend to dismiss it as alarmist. But the facts suggest that many in the business community aren’t scared enough—or ready to act when they need to. If the United States stays on its current track, the losses for business will be significant. The greatest peril companies face today is not the risk of speaking up—it is the risk of staying silent.