Tag

Democracy

All articles tagged with #democracy

Trump’s Free Advertising: Taking Credit for Deals Already in the Works
politics1 day ago

Trump’s Free Advertising: Taking Credit for Deals Already in the Works

Rampell argues that Trump frequently claims credit for corporate promotions that were already in the works, using Walmart’s preplanned summer rollbacks and beef-price cuts discussed with the USDA as a case study; Walmart says the changes were planned independently, while Trump’s post shows how political messaging can shape public perception and intimidate firms, a pattern the piece notes across other examples (DoorDash, McDonald’s, an aluminum plant, and more). The column contends this dynamic undermines free markets and democratic norms, and it closes by advocating for transparency and supporting Bulwark’s pro-democracy stance.

Roberts’ ‘Democracy’ Rhetoric Masks a Power Grab, Slate Judges Say
politics3 days ago

Roberts’ ‘Democracy’ Rhetoric Masks a Power Grab, Slate Judges Say

Slate’s Lithwick and Stern argue that Chief Justice Roberts’s Trump v. Slaughter decision dramatically expands presidential power over independent federal agencies while claiming to boost accountability; they say the history is distorted, the underlying political theory is false, and the ruling undermines democratic accountability and civil-service protections with broad implications for future administrations.

Springsteen: Patriotism Means Speaking Out About Trump, Always
entertainment4 days ago

Springsteen: Patriotism Means Speaking Out About Trump, Always

Bruce Springsteen says his idea of patriotism is 'critical patriotism'—loving America enough to call out its faults—and asserts he’ll continue using his music and public platform to challenge Donald Trump, criticizing his policies and defending democracy on his Land of Hope and Dreams tour while remaining hopeful about the country’s future.

Israel Cabinet Defies Supreme Court, Deepening Judicial Clash
world4 days ago

Israel Cabinet Defies Supreme Court, Deepening Judicial Clash

Israel’s cabinet threatened to disregard a Supreme Court ruling, escalating a long-running clash with Prime Minister Netanyahu as he pushes to curb judicial power; officials later sought to downplay the defiance, but critics warned it risks a constitutional crisis and democratic backsliding while the dispute centers on the Second Authority broadcast regulator and media deals like Channel 13 ahead of upcoming elections.

Crockett's ‘America owes Black women everything’ sparks online backlash at Essence Festival
politics4 days ago

Crockett's ‘America owes Black women everything’ sparks online backlash at Essence Festival

Outgoing Texas Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett told the Essence Festival that ‘America owes Black women everything,’ arguing Black women have long borne the labor and backbone of democracy even as they face targeting; the remarks drew sharp online backlash over the Fourth of July weekend, amid broader talk of reparations and racial justice, as Crockett’s political profile looms after losing a Senate bid and facing redistricting that reshaped her district.

Ken Burns: Founders Would Be Disappointed by Today's U.S. Authoritarianism
politics5 days ago

Ken Burns: Founders Would Be Disappointed by Today's U.S. Authoritarianism

Ken Burns told Meet the Press that the drafters of the Constitution would be abjectly disappointed by how far the United States has drifted toward authoritarian power, noting the executive has expanded while Article I's power has weakened. While praising progress on rights, he warned that current division and anti-education rhetoric threaten democracy and urged lifelong learning and a marketplace of ideas to sustain a healthy republic, saying the founders anticipated such risks and would want stronger checks on power.

Ken Burns: America’s enduring story outgrows today’s political rifts
politics5 days ago

Ken Burns: America’s enduring story outgrows today’s political rifts

Ken Burns argues that confronting the brutal realities of American history, rather than sanitizing it, sharpens our view of the present and reveals how the founders imagined a citizen-led republic. He warns that today’s authoritarian impulses thrive on distraction and conspiracy, urges unity over division, and emphasizes the ongoing need to reconcile a diverse nation while learning from the past.

From a healing bicentennial to a polarized era, can democracy endure?
politics6 days ago

From a healing bicentennial to a polarized era, can democracy endure?

The piece revisits 1976, when Ford declared that the ‘long national nightmare’ was over as the US celebrated its 200th anniversary, a moment framed by bipartisan renewal after Watergate. It contrasts that mood with today’s climate under Trump, described as circus-like and threatening to democratic norms, and explores how Nixon’s attempts to control the bicentennial echo current debates over national narrative and power. The article notes the participatory, local-grounded celebrations of 1976 versus today’s centralized, top-down commemorations, suggesting that while past anniversaries have mirrored upheaval, the present era faces unique challenges to democratic institutions and civil discourse.

Clinton Clashes With MAGA in July 4 Address on America's 250th
politics6 days ago

Clinton Clashes With MAGA in July 4 Address on America's 250th

Bill Clinton delivered a sharp rebuke of Donald Trump and the MAGA movement in a July 4, 2026 message marking America’s 250th birthday, accusing MAGA allies of weaponizing government, threatening democratic norms, and pursuing a “New Deal” for the super-rich. He framed the moment as a test of the nation’s founding ideals, urging inclusion, accountability, and renewed commitment to protecting democracy while acknowledging the country’s flaws and history of striving toward a more perfect union.

Court ruling sharpens Trump’s path to unchecked executive power
policy10 days ago

Court ruling sharpens Trump’s path to unchecked executive power

Vox argues the Supreme Court’s Trump v. Slaughter ruling endorses the unitary executive, deeming the president’s removal of an FTC commissioner lawful despite congressional rules, giving Trump broader power over independent agencies. The decision raises alarms about democratic accountability and suggests the Court could become the main arbiter of executive power, with long‑term risks for juristocracy and congressional checks; it also notes related rulings like Trump v. Cook that reveal tensions over agency independence.

America at 250: Grief, Fear, and the Call for Civic Renewal
opinion10 days ago

America at 250: Grief, Fear, and the Call for Civic Renewal

On the 250th anniversary of the United States, the piece argues that marginalized Americans increasingly question their belonging under Trump, citing state violence, deportation fears, and a national mood of disillusionment. Public surveys show broad dissatisfaction and a willingness among some to leave, while scholars warn of rising fascist tendencies and a weakened democracy. The author calls for a mature, truth-centered patriotism and active civic renewal, treating democracy as a skill that must be learned and defended rather than taken for granted.

Poll Finds Democracy as America's Greatest Gift and Hamburgers as Most American Food
politics11 days ago

Poll Finds Democracy as America's Greatest Gift and Hamburgers as Most American Food

A CBS News poll ahead of America's 250th birthday finds democracy (16%) as Americans' greatest gift, the lightbulb (14%) as the top invention after democracy, and hamburgers (33%) topping the list of the most American foods, with barbecue (25%) and apple pie (19%) also in the top ranks; overall attitudes toward the celebration are mixed.