1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

The future of American democracy is at a precarious crossroads. The rise of authoritarian forces threatens to undermine the core principles upon which this nation was founded – liberty, equality, and self-governance by the people. We cannot allow a charismatic demagogue driven by a cult of personality to erode our democratic norms and institutions through the stoking of division, scapegoating of marginalized groups, and erosion of checks and balances. History has shown time and again how swiftly democracies can collapse when such malignant forces take root. To safeguard our republic, comprehensive political reforms are urgently needed. Restoring fair representation by addressing gerrymandering, expanding the House to reflect population growth, and promoting uniform ballot access would empower the true will of the people. Curbing the outsized influence of moneyed interests through campaign finance reform is also critical. And protecting the integrity of the judiciary by introducing term limits for Supreme Court justices would insulate it from undue politicization. These measures would compel our leaders to compete for the broad center rather than pandering to extremes. They would revitalize faith in our institutions and stem the tide of polarization fueling the authoritarian threat. The path forward will not be easy, but the alternative is simply unacceptable for all who cherish liberty and self-determination. We must act decisively to preserve and strengthen American democracy for current and future generations.