Editor,
During these polarized times, I’m reminded of Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet, “The American Crisis,” and his line: “These are the times that try men’s souls” that was written to rally the American troops during the Revolutionary War. I think that Paine’s statement very aptly describes the concerns that many Americans are feeling during this current “American Crisis” of 2025.
Some may ask, what crisis? I would say that it is a crisis when we reflect on the sacrifices that were made by colonial Americans to win America’s independence and establish a liberal democracy that placed an emphasis on a limited government, constitutionalism, the rule of law, freedom and liberty, being under assault as we have witnessed since January 20, 2025. The Framers of the U.S. Constitution were clear that they did not want a Patriot King.
It seems as though we have a daily spectacle of the abuse of presidential power. We have observed a president who, in an unprecedented manner, is using every lever of the federal government to target those who challenge him or his policies. Some of his targets have included colleges and universities, law firms, and TV networks that host late night comedy shows. These entities, are part of our civil society, are not our enemies. I can only imagine the political pressures the leaders of these institutions are feeling at this time. Presidential power used in this manner is inconsistent with the views expressed by the Framers of the U.S. Constitution regarding the executive branch’s power.
Some scholars maintain that the president’s behavior stems in part from a frustration within the country’s democratic checks and balances, including the independent courts, a coequal legislative branch, the free press and an active civil society. As a consequence of the president’s policies, decision-making, actions and behaviors, many experts believe that he has steered America towards what the political scientist, Fareed Zakaria, characterizes as an illiberal democracy which is significantly different from the liberal democracy the Founder Framers envisioned.
Illiberal democracy, Zakaria maintains, involves the weakening of democratic institutions, such as peaceful transition of power or free elections, or the violation of individual rights that underpin democracy, such as freedom of speech. It also should be noted, in an illiberal manner, he has violated the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 that established the principle that prohibits use of the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement.
Given the numerous violations of long-standing constitutional principles taken by the Trump administration, one has to ask the question, are we witnessing the unraveling of the rule law?
It is unfortunate that many of us have to ponder such a thought on the eve of celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War and the foundational document, the Declaration of Independence, that provided the rationale for the war and offered one of the most significant principles that underpins our democracy: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal”.
Let us in 2026 celebrate our country’s 250 anniversary and work toward restoring our liberal democratic values and constitutional principles. Let us honor our founders not only with reflection but with action—by speaking out, organizing, and voting to restore and defend the democratic ideals that define America.
Dr Booker Ingram., Chair of the Laurens County Democratic Party
