“Voters, your decisions carry weight. Your choices can either uphold the integrity of democracy or contribute to its collapse. It’s time to take a stand and defend the Democracy we all cherish.” — John Johnson II, 07/24/25
By John Johnson II
Political instability is often best captured through metaphors. Today, America’s democracy isn’t facing some distant threat—it’s already caught in a storm. Like a house in the storm’s path, Democracy—our House of Cards—is in immediate peril. Merriam-Webster defines a house of cards as “a structure or situation that is unstable and likely to collapse.” That’s exactly what democracy becomes when its core institutions are undermined.
To remain stable, democracy depends not only on free and fair elections, civic participation, and the protection of rights—but also on informed media, government transparency, and, most critically, personal integrity. These principles are more than textbook ideals; they’re the foundation of a government by, for, and of the people.
But since the gutting of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, Section 3, voter suppression laws have emerged, civic engagement has been discouraged, and fundamental rights restricted. The rule of law appears selective—especially in cases like the illegal deportation of immigrants. Despite dire climate disasters, voter inaction on climate change signals deeper apathy. If such catastrophes don’t wake us up, can a metaphor about democracy’s fragility?
Perhaps not. But this must be said clearly: Democracy is collapsing, and the people must respond. Citizens must rise—not with violence, but with voices—demanding truth, accountability, and justice. It begins with transparency, like the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, a critical card in the fragile house of democracy. The American people don’t need victims’ names—but we do need the names of those who trafficked, witnessed, or participated in abuse. Epstein’s death did not bury the trauma he and others caused; those wounds still bleed in silence.
Democracy must mean more than rhetorical. Voters can demand integrity from leaders, protect courageous truth-tellers—even among Republicans—and reject those backed by authoritarian ambitions. No candidate can elect themselves. Only the voters hold that power. And with it comes responsibility.
Without a strong democracy, the government becomes unrecognizable—shielding sexual abusers, criminalizing immigrants, enriching the wealthy at the poor’s expense, and refusing to hold its officials accountable.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
