As everyone in this room knows, our democracy is under significant stress. Governmental overreach—by presidents of both parties—threatens the foundational principles of our constitutional system. Checks and balances – the guardrails that keep one branch of government gaining too much power – are being weakened.  Judicial independence is under attack, and power is increasingly being concentrated in ways that jeopardize the rule of law.  At the same time, courts are being portrayed as partisan and judges are facing threats and intimidation simply for doing their jobs.

This isn’t just a legal issue. It’s an economic one. Our economy runs on trust—trust that the rules are fair, that contracts will be enforced, and that disputes will be resolved peacefully. When people stop believing the law applies equally to everyone, that trust disappears. And when trust disappears, systems start to break down.

[SPEAKER’S NOTE:  If you have a personal story about what democracy means to you and why and why you think it is threatened, or if you have a particular concern given an event in your local community, you should consider adding that in here.]

So, what can each of us do to meet this moment? I want to suggest three things.

First, speak up in defense of our democratic principles.

Talk to your family. Talk to your friends. Talk to your neighbors and co-workers. And if you ever have a chance to speak to a larger group—at a church, a community meeting, or a civic organization—take it.

You don’t need a law degree or a perfect speech. Just speak honestly about why you care about our democracy and why it matters. When people hear others speak with clarity and conviction, they are more likely to find their own voices—including those who hold an elected office.

When you do speak up, focus on principles, not on personalities or policies. Personalities and policies can divide us whereas core democratic principles often remind us of the fundamental values we share as Americans.

So, what are those core principles? What are the basic values we all depend on, even when we disagree?  To me, four really matter:

Principle No. 1 — The rule of law. 

This phrase comes naturally to lawyers, but it can feel abstract to the public. At its core, the rule of law means something simple: in America, everyone—including politicians and government officials—must follow the same rules. Office, wealth, or connections do not confer a free pass. The law holds all of us accountable, including our leaders.

As Thomas Paine wrote in Common Sense in 1776, “In America, the law is king.” Making the law our “king” prevents power from concentrating in a few hands and ensures we remain a nation governed by laws, not by individuals.

One helpful way to explain the rule of law is to point to signs of when it is breaking down—and when it is strong.

The rule of law is crumbling when:

• People are arrested based on suspicion or appearance rather than evidence

• Judges rule differently in identical cases depending on who is before them

• Government contracts are steered to friends or family without fair bidding

• Leaders pardon supporters who broke the law on their behalf

• Laws become weapons against opponents rather than shields for everyone

• Judicial independence is openly attacked or undermined

The rule of law is strong when:

• The wealthy and powerful face consequences for wrongdoing

• Courts rule against the very governments that appointed them

• Fair procedures matter more than desired outcomes

• Elections change leaders without legal retaliation against the losing side

  
  

When you lose the rule of law, society doesn’t become freer—it becomes less fair, less safe, and more fragile. The change is often gradual, but the effects are profound and its impacts can be deeply felt by everyone of us.

Principle No. 2 — Freedom of speech and a free press. 

Our founders understood that free expression and a free press are essential to holding government accountable and sustaining a healthy exchange of ideas. That is why these freedoms appear first in the Bill of Rights.

Freedom of speech allows citizens to make informed decisions and express approval—or disapproval—of their leaders. But it depends on an independent press that can report without fear or favor. Today, journalists face political attacks and economic and technological pressures that threaten their work. Supporting them—by subscribing to trusted news sources and defending journalists who uncover the truth—helps protect democracy itself. Remind your friends and neighbors that:

When freedom of speech and the press are working, you see:

• Investigative journalism exposing wrongdoing

• Open public debates and community forums

• Whistleblowers sharing information responsibly

• Diverse voices being heard and amplified

When they are not working, you see:

• Harassment and threats against journalists

• Censorship or media shutdowns

• Disinformation drowning out facts

• Self-censorship driven by fear or pressure

If we lose our right to freely speak our mind, or for journalists to hold government accountable, power can operate with impunity, truth is replaced by fear and rumor, we lose our voice and our other basic freedoms quickly begin to erode as well. 

Principle No. 3 — An independent judiciary. 

The rule of law and our basic freedoms depend on judges who decide cases based on law and facts—not political pressure. Judicial independence allows courts to serve as a check on government power and a safeguard against tyranny.

Yet we have developed a habit of labeling judges as “Democratic” or “Republican,” implying loyalty to a party rather than to the Constitution. This language corrodes trust and fuels the threats and harassment judges increasingly face. We must reject it and remind our fellow citizens that:

A healthy judiciary looks like this:

• Judges deciding cases based on law and evidence

• Decisions explained through reasoned written opinions

• Respect for court rulings, even when people disagree

• Judges able to work without intimidation

• Public confidence that courts are fair, not rigged

  
  

An unhealthy judiciary looks like this:

• Judges defined by political labels

• Threats or attacks against judges

• Court rulings ignored or defied

• Judges punished for unpopular decisions

• Widespread loss of trust in the justice system

If we lose our independent judicial system, the law stops protecting people equally, power goes unchecked, disputes turn personal and dangerous, economic trust collapses, corruption becomes normal and our rights become hollow promises.

Principle No. 4 — The right to vote. 

Free and fair elections are the foundation of democratic self-government. Voting gives us the power to choose our leaders, shape our laws, and change course when necessary.

Yet elections—and the people who administer them—are under unprecedented attack. When election workers are threatened, when voters are intimidated or discouraged, or when election integrity is undermined without evidence, we all lose our voice and put our other freedoms at risk.

A healthy election system has:

• Free, fair, competitive elections

• Accessible and secure voting

• Protected election officials

• Transparent vote counting

• Peaceful acceptance of results

• Impartial courts resolving disputes

  
  

An unhealthy system shows:

• Voter intimidation or unnecessary barriers

• Threats against election workers

• Baseless claims undermining trust

• Rules manipulated to entrench power

• Rejection of lawful results

• Violence or threats following elections

  
  

If our right to vote becomes compromised, we not only lose our voice, but power stops changing hands peacefully, government legitimacy collapses and corruption and extremism thrive.

Standing up and speaking out for these four, foundational principles of American life is the first step in protecting them not only for us, but for our children and grandchildren.

Second, build bridges in your neighborhood and  community.

In addition to speaking up, the second thing you can do stand up for our democracy is work to build bridges in your community.  Our democracy doesn’t live only in our institutions — it also lives in and survives through respectful relationships with our fellow Americans. Building bridges begins by having conversations with your neighbors, friends and work colleagues, especially those with whom you may not see eye to eye. And it requires that we not demonize those with opinions that differ from ours but rather respect that not everyone sees the world we do — and that’s ok because we don’t have to agree on everything.  But we do have to keep talking to each other to keep our communities and our democracy healthy and functional.

And remember, almost all Americans do believe in the basic principles underlying our democracy, even if we argue passionately about policy choices that may be before us. Finding common ground doesn’t mean giving up your beliefs or your causes. It simply means that we collective choose to share a future together based on the core values that have underpinned our democracy for the past 250 years.

Third, give your time, and if possible, your financial support.

Democracy isn’t self-sustaining. Every generation has had to protect it. Sometimes by marching. Sometimes by voting. Sometimes by volunteering, donating, or speaking up when something isn’t right.

If you can volunteer — do it.  Become a poll worker.  Work to educate yourself and your family on basic civics and support civics education in your schools.  Vote and encourage others to do so as well.  Take the time to become informed on issues by being a discerning consumer of news and information.  Stand up for your local institutions and your neighbors if they become unfairly attacked or if their rights are threatened.  If you can financially support organizations that defend democracy and the rule of law — do so. Every hour of your time you give and every dollar you contribute helps keep our system fair, free, and accountable.

Standing up for democracy and the rule of law doesn’t have to be hard or all consuming.  Before you leave tonight, decide on one thing you can and will do. If you are at dinner or lunch this week or next and the conversation turns to politics, consider bringing up one or all the of four principles and explain why they matter to you.  When you open your laptop or tablet tomorrow morning, consider subscribing to your local or national newspaper and then keep informed about both national and local events. If you have ten minutes this week, reach out to your local state and federal representatives and let them know your thoughts on these issues, or write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper expressing your feelings on these issues and why they matter to you.   

[SPEAKER’S NOTE:  If there is a local organization or effort that needs support, you should consider calling that out here.]

These are hard times. I know many of us would rather be thinking about weekend plans than the next national crisis. But remember, this isn’t the first time we as Americans have faced serious challenges. As a country, we’ve endured a civil war, a depression, and two world wars. Our ancestors expanded freedom again and again whether it be voting rights or civil rights, simply because ordinary people got engaged and refused to give up.

[SPEAKER’S NOTE:  If you have a personal or a local story about how democracy was defended in your local community recently or in the past, you could consider using that instead of the above examples.]

Now it’s our turn. Our democracy doesn’t survive because it’s inevitable. It survives because people like you and me stand up for it.
And if we do our part—if we speak up, build bridges, and stay engaged—our democracy will endure and be a model for the world.

The choice is ours.

Thank you.