The Blogs: American Democracy at the Crossroads: Implications for the Jewish Community

The undoing of the American political experiment is upon us, as we experience the disassembling of the Constitutional order.

• We are in the midst of a political revolution, leading to the upending of our civic and legal structure.

• We are encountering a fundamental reframing of our national identity and the rewriting of our country’s history.

• We are witnessing the demeaning of one’s political opponents but also growing attempts to silence perceived “enemies” of the state.

What remains particularly striking is the absence of civic outrage at what is unfolding. This silence abounds as the social and political fabric of this nation is being methodically decimated.

With all of this, we are encountering a crisis of confidence and trust in the public order. By every measure, we are in a very different space today than at any other time in our lives. We must ask, does this mark the end of our democracy?

Fear has replaced responsible discourse, and threat is the defining new reality. In caving to this authoritarian moment, little now stands in the way of a total political reset.

Fully aware that many Americans have little or no understanding or particular concern regarding the political construct of this government, namely the idea of checks and balances, the significance of due process, or the meaning of separation of powers, our current leadership appears fully confident that it can process their political agenda without constraints or pushback.

Unencumbered, they no longer express concern over their opponents’ reactions or beliefs but rather dismiss their critics as enemies of the state. The unspoken objective here is their intent to discredit and ultimately weaken any opposition. Seeking to control the messaging of media corporations whom they see as politically problematic, deny funding to core institutions with whom they disagree, and bring charges against their high profile “political enemies” represent their core tactics.

Part of their strategy involves the militarization of our cities as a way to intimidate voters, control dissent, and undermine the political authority of local officials.

As with all social upheaval, some will cower to these threats, aligning themselves with the political establishment to demonstrate loyalty and fidelity, sacrificing their beliefs while seeking acceptance.

Nor should we be under any illusion that the assault on a few will limit the desire or intension of this administration to restrict itself to only a few symbolic public figures as it carries forward its effort to marginalize and silence its critics.

All that is unfolding is having a profound impact on Jewish Americans. Deeply engaged with the political process, Jews have a stake in the defense of this democracy and all that is transpiring. Our future is dependent upon the wellbeing of this society and the instruments of government. Being silent at this time would be far more problematic. There is a battle underway concerning America’s future. We can ignore it, at our own peril, or we can engage in this contest for democracy before all is lost. This then is our destiny.