A Republic, If You Can Keep It
Hoosiers for Democracy is a growing movement of Indiana citizens who are concerned about the erosion of democratic norms, the continual drumbeat of extremism and the persistent undermining of our democratic institutions. Thomas Jefferson warned that it would only be a matter of time before the American system of government would degenerate into an ‘elective despotism’. He warned that:
“The time to guard against corruption and tyranny, is before they shall have gotten hold of us. It is better to keep the wolf out of the fold, than to trust to drawing his teeth and talons after he shall have entered.”
He foretold this moment as well as other similar moments in our history. He feared that this radical experiment of self-governance would crumble from within. He understood its fragility. Let us be warned!
Our purpose is simple:
Through education, advocacy and activism leading up to the 2024 election, Hoosiers for Democracy will work to build a coalition of Indiana voters determined to resist the extremism and anti-democratic forces that have gained a foothold in our state. Our goal is to ensure that Indiana citizens across race, place and party, are protectors of democracy—through their vote at the ballot box.
What You Can Expect
We plan to publish two to three times a month. For each of the topics we will explain why the topic is important, and offer tools, resources and opportunities to respond to the topic or issue at hand. We will introduce you to some amazing people, organizations, and platforms that will inform and inspire you. Additionally, we plan to host Zoom conversations and webinars with special speakers and experts connected to the issues that we are talking about.
Prior to the Indiana primary and general election, we will spotlight candidates and provide information on where they stand on issues concerning preserving democratic values, norms, and rule of law. It is our belief that democracy is non-partisan but if there is a candidate who advocates for being above the law, who has contributed to the erosion of personal freedoms or who has contributed to under-mining our democratic institutions, we will name that. Our goal is to inform, not to persuade or convince.
Did you Know?
On September 17, 1787, an eighty-one-year-old Benjamin Franklin (suffering from gout and kidney stones) left the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention being held in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The state delegates of this newly created Union had gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation, but instead ended up drafting what became a constitution for self- governance ‘for and by the people’. As he left the hall, he was met by a woman who asked him, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” His response was, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
It takes all of us to ‘keep’ this beloved republic and to keep the ‘wolves’ at bay.
More recently, Rachel Maddow, author and journalist, was talking about her most recent book Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism, where she described the paradoxical and often frustrating dilemma of what it means to fight for a democracy that is under assault from within:
“But as small d-democrats, we have to be committed to the idea that this is a better system of government than all the others for all its flaws. The great tactical disadvantage for those of us who will fight for democracy is that in fighting for democracy, you have one tool to do it. It’s democracy.”
What Can We Do?
Disengagement and despair may be natural responses given the tsunami of difficult news, but they are not effective long-term strategies. In politics, nothing is inevitable—except the outcome of an election. So, to begin with, let’s not despair. Take time to notice what is working and where there is hope and good news. Share that good news with others. Watch for our posts and take advantage of the resources that we will share with you. Subscribers will have the opportunity to share what is happening in their own area and invite others to join them. We will network with advocacy groups across the state to amplify the work that is happening in local communities. It is our commitment that this platform will serve to empower and embolden each of us to be protectors of our beloved democracy in our own way. No effort is too small.
Join us in this work as we move towards what might truly be the election of a lifetime.
Yours in democracy:
Debbie Asberry
Barbara Burke
Rachel Thelin
Co-founders of Hoosiers for Democracy
Notes:
The quote from Thomas Jefferson can be found here.
The quote from Benjamin Franklin was taken from The Constitutional Convention: A Day by Day Account for September 1787.
The quote from Rachel Maddow’s conversation with Chris Hayes can be found here.