We honor revolutionaries and those who help us achieve the American promise
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Hi Friend,

 

It’s easy to think about our political system as stagnant. If it’s worked for
the first 244 years, it will work for the next 244. 


But it won’t. And it hasn’t. 


This isn’t an argument between originalists and living constitutionalists; the
systems around how elections are run aren’t outlined in the constitution.
Instead, it’s left to the states to decide how to run their elections. 


States ultimately determine the mechanisms that elect our leaders. After all,
states ratified the 17th Amendment to allow the people, not state legislatures,
to elect US Senators; states decided for themselves how the people would be
represented and how they would have their voices heard. 


Collectively, we refine our political system to ensure that it continues to
function and to be a government of, by, and for the people. It’s our duty as
Americans to ensure that our nation embodies the values of the constitution. 


This week’s three things honors that idea.

We lost a giant
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Representative John Lewis, a Civil Rights icon and fearless voting advocate
and warrior, passed away at the age of 80. 


Much has been written about Representative Lewis and his penchant for “good
trouble.” He famously marched on Bloody Sunday, and was the only speaker at the
March on Washington to see President Obama elected. He helped America take its
first steps towards actual equality, actual freedom, and actual justice. 


He helped shape America into the actual promise of our Founding Fathers; a
nation in which all men are created equal.  


Here’s to Representative John Lewis, a Founder of our nation
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.



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A revolutionary podcast
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A few weeks ago, you might remember reading about the American Academy of Arts
and Sciences groundbreaking commission
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“Our Common Purpose,” and their subsequent report that breaks down how we can
revitalize American democracy for the 21st century. This week, we invite you to
hear straight from one of the co-chairs of the project herself, Danielle Allen,
who sat down withVox’s Ezra Klein
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to discuss the commission, her book on the Declaration of Independence, and
how we can heal and transform our political system. 


In line with both the ideas outlined in the Declaration of Independence as
well as within the findings of the commission, Allen speaks to the need for
Americans and our elected officials to be actively engaged in conversations
around, and about, maintaining our system of free governance. Both parties, it
seems, are willing to engage on the idea when they’re in the minority, but
never when they’re in the majority. 


Instead of simple policy victories, Americans have to be focused on our
institutions and our political system. Allen says,“The thing that’s more
important than victory is the ongoing viability, sustainability of institutions
for self governance, for free and equal citizens to make decisions together.”



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We should all be watching Virginia
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Gerrymandering is a scourge on our democracy; it allows politicians to divvy
up the voting population, diluting the voting power of some to amplify the
power of others, all so that they can ensure their party is in the majority.
When self-interested politicians are left to draw their own district maps,
gerrymandering is to be expected. It’s why we support independent redistricting
commissions. 


With the census upon us — and redistricting along with it — many states have
the opportunity to draw fair maps for their voters. Others may have the chance
— if voters and politicians decide to do what’s best. Virginia is one such
state; a constitutional amendment to establish a bipartisan redistricting
commission passed its first tests in the legislature. Now, the decision goes to
the voters who get to decide who is drawing their maps. 


We’re proud to support Fair Maps Virginia <[link removed]> in their
effort to pass the initiative.Check out an opinion piece
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this week by campaign co-chairs, Democrat Bobby Vassar and former state
legislator, Republican Wyatt Durette.



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Brett
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Brett Maney
Senior Communications Manager
Unite America
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