TOUGH TIMES: TOUGH SOLUTIONS

The Erosion of American Democracy and the Case for a New Constitutional Convention

For decades, the erosion of democracy in the United States has been slow but steady. Perhaps it can be traced back to the Reagan era when deregulation and the privileging of corporate interests over the common good began shifting power away from the people and toward an elite class. However, there is no question that today, democracy is on the run, thanks to the coordinated efforts of Donald Trump and his allies, who have systematically sought to undermine democratic institutions and establish an oligarchy.

Billionaires like Elon Musk, with immense wealth but limited insight into governance, have only exacerbated this trend. The "dumbing down" of America has resulted in a system where wealth dictates power, effectively replacing democracy with an oligarchic rule. And if this trend is not reversed, it appears that this new power structure is here to stay.

The Need for a New Constitutional Convention

So, what can be done? What should be done?

One of the most radical but necessary solutions is to convene a new Constitutional Convention to rewrite the U.S. Constitution. Though revolutionary, the founding document is now outdated and riddled with amendments that often are misinterpreted, forming an inconsistent and confusing legal structure.

The fundamental values of democracy, freedom, equality, and justice remain essential. Still, they need to be rearticulated to ensure a clear and enforceable framework of rights for all members of society. Such a revised constitution must include:

• A clearly defined right to bodily autonomy, ensuring that individuals have full control over decisions regarding their physical selves.
• The unequivocal right to vote, protected against any form of suppression, with measures ensuring that every vote is counted fairly and accurately.
• The right to public safety, including the ability to curb the proliferation of weapons designed to kill indiscriminately.
• The elimination of institutions enabling privilege-based governance, such as the Senate and the Electoral College, both undermine democratic representation.

How Can This Change Be Achieved?

The path to a new Constitutional Convention is neither simple nor peaceful. The current regime, structured to protect those in power, must first be dismantled. The fundamental question, then, is how? Historically, no ruling class has willingly surrendered its power. Change of this magnitude has typically come through revolution, whether peaceful or violent.

One controversial but often-discussed mechanism for radical change is a military intervention. History offers examples of military coups that have claimed to return power to the people, though the outcomes vary widely.

Historical Instances of Military Coups Restoring Democracy

• Portugal’s Carnation Revolution (1974): The Portuguese military overthrew the Estado Novo dictatorship, restoring democracy and leading to a new constitution that enshrined civil liberties.
• Turkey (1960, 1980, 1997): Turkey has seen multiple coups, some of which led to a temporary restoration of democratic governance, though they were often followed by further instability.
• Egypt’s Arab Spring (2011): The military ousted Hosni Mubarak, leading to democratic elections, but ultimately, the military retained control and democracy was short-lived.
• Chile (1973): Though the coup led by Augusto Pinochet was initially framed as restoring order, it resulted in decades of brutal dictatorship rather than democracy.

The lesson from these examples is that while military coups can sometimes lead to democratic reforms, they often do not. More often than not, they replace one form of authoritarian rule with another.

Another Path Forward

Rather than relying on a military coup, the American people must seek a more sustainable path to systemic reform. This requires:

1. Mass Mobilization: Large-scale civic engagement, including protests, strikes, and legal action, to pressure those in power to acknowledge the need for reform.
2. Political Overhaul: The election of leaders who prioritize democratic principles and are willing to rewrite the Constitution in favor of true equality and representation.
3. Constitutional Amendments or Convention: If reforming the existing Constitution is too cumbersome, a new Constitutional Convention must be convened to rewrite it from the ground up.
4. Public Awareness and Education: A populace that understands its rights and the dangers of oligarchy is essential for maintaining a healthy democracy.

Good luck with that.

The American experiment is at a crossroads. The forces of oligarchy have entrenched themselves deeply, and democracy is in retreat. Change must come, whether through peaceful reform or more radical action. The Constitution, revered but outdated, must be rewritten to reflect modern realities and the needs of all citizens.

Democracy must be fought for if it is to survive. The question now is whether the American people are willing to engage in that fight before it is too late.

William James Spriggs