Democracy isn’t preserved by concentrating power in safe blue islands. It’s preserved by competing everywhere…because the alternative is one-party rule, and one-party rule is how democracies collapse.
When you abandon states because they look unwinnable, you’re not just conceding electoral votes. You’re abandoning the architecture that makes democratic correction possible. You’re surrendering school boards, state legislatures, judicial benches, and the entire pipeline of future leaders. You’re telling millions of Americans their voices don’t matter because they live in the wrong zip code.
But here’s the deeper point: societies that optimize for human flourishing don’t write off entire populations because engaging them is inconvenient. They compete everywhere because that’s how you build trust, distribute power, and create the conditions where people can actually live well rather than merely survive under unchecked authority.
The Founders understood this. Madison didn’t say eliminate disagreement, he said structure it.
Force ideas to compete in the open marketplace. Make power justify itself through persuasion, not domination. That friction isn’t a bug. It’s the entire design.
Competing everywhere isn’t optimism. It’s the only mechanism that’s ever worked to reduce suffering at scale…by distributing power so broadly that concentrated atrocity becomes harder, by creating accountability mechanisms in every jurisdiction, by ensuring that when systems fail there’s still a path to correction.
That’s not the long game. That’s the only game that matters.
Well said Johan. Your statement, “…friction isn’t a bug. It’s the entire design.” Our founding fathers weren’t perfect, but kept discussing and debating until they came up with the living, breathing document that is our Constitution.
The political system is the institution labeling the parties as Red or Blue. There are fewer than 10 states considered to hold the outcome politically. Get rid of the Electoral College !
I saw Andy Beshear interviewed on the Daily Show. He's a Democratic Governor of what can be called a rather Red state. Yet, he is serving a second term because he relates not to the party but to the people! He knows how to reach even the MAGA crowd, so,yeah, it can be done. In fact, it is essential. We need more candidates that can "breakfast together" across the aisle. I would bet that you two could see eye to eye!
Kandy, I just saw this interview today you referenced - Gov Beshear is so refreshing. 100% about he and Adam seeing eye to eye! Here's the link for anyone who hasn't seen it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttaBXnqmRwg
Adam, what you observed in Indiana gives me hope. I live in Indiana (very northern, almost to Michigan state boundary) and didn’t think it was possible to find such a positive event anywhere in this very red state. I have mistakenly assumed there is no hope for us former Republicans, who since have realized the party is no longer anything more than a cult. We are blue blips in a sea of red. But what you witnessed and participated in is, I hope, happening in other red states. A few months ago, I mentioned to my husband that, in the past, our voting ballots had only one name to choose for many offices in this state. I was thrilled to find out a few weeks ago, there will be a Democrat on the ballot for my Congressional district. I immediately contributed to her campaign. Thank you for giving this old lady some good news and hope for a brighter future for my grandkids and for Christian too. Maybe you can make it to northern Indiana someday, near Notre Dame? Keep speaking truth, we are listening.
Joan, I was born in Indiana but didn't live there very long. We moved to California but my parents were always Republican. They are gone now, but would not recognize the party today. I actually voted for Trump in 2016, but have since seen the error of my ways. I do believe that you are not a "stranger in a strange land". I think that there are many that want a way out of the chaos just like you and me. Just keep hanging in there and keep doing the right thing. A saying has been ascribed to Winston Churchill..."Americans will do the right thing......after they have tried everything else". So, stay strong!
So heartening to read these comments. Indiana is my home state, but I’ve lived in Illinois (Chicago and suburbs) for well over 50 years. I’m also a former Republican. I fully realized that I could never again support the Republican Party during President Obama’s terms in office. That was when, in my mind, the Party solidified its degeneration into an unrecognizable, indefensible, irretrievable entity. I have family including an elderly aunt and uncle and scads of cousins who are lifelong Hoosiers - two cousins are in fact lifelong residents of Anderson - and their political views with few exceptions are aligned with my own. I’m very glad Adam visited there and engaged in discussion with these people.
Adam, thank you for such a positive, powerful and inspiring post. I really needed this today. Texas is much like Indiana. So many Texans have written Texas off already, but I don’t believe that’s the case. We just have to do the hard work to get these Democrats elected. Citizens are very, very angry and really pissed off right now. We need to capitalize on that. I think we can do it!
Thank you for coming to Indiana! My family would’ve loved to hear your speech…we didn’t know you were planning a visit. Please come back…I fear our state is getting lost thanks to brown nose Braun.
I give credit to the Indiana state legislature for saying no to Trump on gerrymandering. Didn’t expect these neighbors to be some of the first to stand up to this administration. I was wrong. Credit where credit is due.
Thank you, Adam for putting such a profoundly important post up. It’s true, we tend to think in terms of red versus blue, but not anymore. Trump has trampled his red states and those that are not Maga are looking for a new home, they’re looking for truth they’re looking for a nation they can be proud of. they’re tired of the crap that’s been shoveled every day into the media and the abuse of people is starting to wear thin. I long for a more peaceful nation and our democracy in full display. Thank you.
I was so disheartened to read the ballot for races in the Dallas area and in fully five of ten races, mostly local, there is no democratic challenger at all. Should NEVER be the case now--look at what just happened in blood-red Louisiana!
I agree with everything said. And, I’m beginning to think this might be our great opportunity to get competent and caring people into positions of power. I think we should concentrate on getting the middle-of-the-roaders’ involved in the election process. The first order of business would be to define what we mean as a competent and caring candidate. I think it’s a genuine patriot with management skills and the ability to argue issues but still remain friends with the
opposition. It is NOT a career politician who is only concerned with getting re-elected at the expense of those who disagree.
I would hope there are enough of those up to the task and are willing to take the fight to the small minded who currently dominate the press, the news, and social media. Daniel Lurie, the new San Francisco would be a good example of what we need.
God bless them if they decide to help make this happen.
100%! I have 6 grandchildren ages 8-15, and I shudder to think what their future holds if we as a nation lose our democracy and our humanity. I know there’s still hope! Thanks for doing all you do!
I guess you are "putting your mouth where your money might not be yet", for the good of our democracy in the long run -- need for more people and political pundits to do that! Thanks for your true patriotism Adam!
Thank you Adam! This is an excellent post! Loved it! Got my spirits up that’s for sure! Keep these coming!
This is exactly right.
Democracy isn’t preserved by concentrating power in safe blue islands. It’s preserved by competing everywhere…because the alternative is one-party rule, and one-party rule is how democracies collapse.
When you abandon states because they look unwinnable, you’re not just conceding electoral votes. You’re abandoning the architecture that makes democratic correction possible. You’re surrendering school boards, state legislatures, judicial benches, and the entire pipeline of future leaders. You’re telling millions of Americans their voices don’t matter because they live in the wrong zip code.
But here’s the deeper point: societies that optimize for human flourishing don’t write off entire populations because engaging them is inconvenient. They compete everywhere because that’s how you build trust, distribute power, and create the conditions where people can actually live well rather than merely survive under unchecked authority.
The Founders understood this. Madison didn’t say eliminate disagreement, he said structure it.
Force ideas to compete in the open marketplace. Make power justify itself through persuasion, not domination. That friction isn’t a bug. It’s the entire design.
Competing everywhere isn’t optimism. It’s the only mechanism that’s ever worked to reduce suffering at scale…by distributing power so broadly that concentrated atrocity becomes harder, by creating accountability mechanisms in every jurisdiction, by ensuring that when systems fail there’s still a path to correction.
That’s not the long game. That’s the only game that matters.
Well said Johan. Your statement, “…friction isn’t a bug. It’s the entire design.” Our founding fathers weren’t perfect, but kept discussing and debating until they came up with the living, breathing document that is our Constitution.
It’s great to hear you’re excited Adam! Let’s spread that excitement.
The political system is the institution labeling the parties as Red or Blue. There are fewer than 10 states considered to hold the outcome politically. Get rid of the Electoral College !
I saw Andy Beshear interviewed on the Daily Show. He's a Democratic Governor of what can be called a rather Red state. Yet, he is serving a second term because he relates not to the party but to the people! He knows how to reach even the MAGA crowd, so,yeah, it can be done. In fact, it is essential. We need more candidates that can "breakfast together" across the aisle. I would bet that you two could see eye to eye!
Kandy, I just saw this interview today you referenced - Gov Beshear is so refreshing. 100% about he and Adam seeing eye to eye! Here's the link for anyone who hasn't seen it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttaBXnqmRwg
Thanks for spreading the good news!
Adam, what you observed in Indiana gives me hope. I live in Indiana (very northern, almost to Michigan state boundary) and didn’t think it was possible to find such a positive event anywhere in this very red state. I have mistakenly assumed there is no hope for us former Republicans, who since have realized the party is no longer anything more than a cult. We are blue blips in a sea of red. But what you witnessed and participated in is, I hope, happening in other red states. A few months ago, I mentioned to my husband that, in the past, our voting ballots had only one name to choose for many offices in this state. I was thrilled to find out a few weeks ago, there will be a Democrat on the ballot for my Congressional district. I immediately contributed to her campaign. Thank you for giving this old lady some good news and hope for a brighter future for my grandkids and for Christian too. Maybe you can make it to northern Indiana someday, near Notre Dame? Keep speaking truth, we are listening.
Joan, I was born in Indiana but didn't live there very long. We moved to California but my parents were always Republican. They are gone now, but would not recognize the party today. I actually voted for Trump in 2016, but have since seen the error of my ways. I do believe that you are not a "stranger in a strange land". I think that there are many that want a way out of the chaos just like you and me. Just keep hanging in there and keep doing the right thing. A saying has been ascribed to Winston Churchill..."Americans will do the right thing......after they have tried everything else". So, stay strong!
Kandy, thanks for the encouraging comments. Yeah, I don’t recognize the party either.
Guess what! I've been getting A LOT of likes on my comment to you. Yes, there are a lot of us, after all!
🙂
So heartening to read these comments. Indiana is my home state, but I’ve lived in Illinois (Chicago and suburbs) for well over 50 years. I’m also a former Republican. I fully realized that I could never again support the Republican Party during President Obama’s terms in office. That was when, in my mind, the Party solidified its degeneration into an unrecognizable, indefensible, irretrievable entity. I have family including an elderly aunt and uncle and scads of cousins who are lifelong Hoosiers - two cousins are in fact lifelong residents of Anderson - and their political views with few exceptions are aligned with my own. I’m very glad Adam visited there and engaged in discussion with these people.
Adam, thank you for such a positive, powerful and inspiring post. I really needed this today. Texas is much like Indiana. So many Texans have written Texas off already, but I don’t believe that’s the case. We just have to do the hard work to get these Democrats elected. Citizens are very, very angry and really pissed off right now. We need to capitalize on that. I think we can do it!
I believe that too, Cats.
Agree, based upon what a family member living in Texas tells me!
Thank you for coming to Indiana! My family would’ve loved to hear your speech…we didn’t know you were planning a visit. Please come back…I fear our state is getting lost thanks to brown nose Braun.
That’s such a good name for our Governor. I’m a Hoosier too.
I give credit to the Indiana state legislature for saying no to Trump on gerrymandering. Didn’t expect these neighbors to be some of the first to stand up to this administration. I was wrong. Credit where credit is due.
As a Hoosier, I was shocked that the effort to redraw maps was defeated. Didn’t see that coming.
Thank you, Adam for putting such a profoundly important post up. It’s true, we tend to think in terms of red versus blue, but not anymore. Trump has trampled his red states and those that are not Maga are looking for a new home, they’re looking for truth they’re looking for a nation they can be proud of. they’re tired of the crap that’s been shoveled every day into the media and the abuse of people is starting to wear thin. I long for a more peaceful nation and our democracy in full display. Thank you.
Here in Alabama we finally have respected, qualified people running for office. I am so hopeful.
I was so disheartened to read the ballot for races in the Dallas area and in fully five of ten races, mostly local, there is no democratic challenger at all. Should NEVER be the case now--look at what just happened in blood-red Louisiana!
I agree! Maybe if we all rest stack Adam’s post we’ll fire some folks up to join in in those places. Contest every seat!
😲
I agree with everything said. And, I’m beginning to think this might be our great opportunity to get competent and caring people into positions of power. I think we should concentrate on getting the middle-of-the-roaders’ involved in the election process. The first order of business would be to define what we mean as a competent and caring candidate. I think it’s a genuine patriot with management skills and the ability to argue issues but still remain friends with the
opposition. It is NOT a career politician who is only concerned with getting re-elected at the expense of those who disagree.
I would hope there are enough of those up to the task and are willing to take the fight to the small minded who currently dominate the press, the news, and social media. Daniel Lurie, the new San Francisco would be a good example of what we need.
God bless them if they decide to help make this happen.
100%! I have 6 grandchildren ages 8-15, and I shudder to think what their future holds if we as a nation lose our democracy and our humanity. I know there’s still hope! Thanks for doing all you do!
I guess you are "putting your mouth where your money might not be yet", for the good of our democracy in the long run -- need for more people and political pundits to do that! Thanks for your true patriotism Adam!
Wow Adam! This has been the most hopeful logical opinion I’ve heard in a long time. I wish everyone in the country could read this. Thank you.
I never had kids...just grew up wanting to be a nice guy.
That's why I agree with everything you said.
JUST the photo gave me happy chills! It really touched me. Great job, Adam!