A healthy democracy requires a really big tent.
“We, the people” covers an impressive range of differences between us, including our personalities, our tastes, our languages, our religious beliefs, our ancestries, and our ideas about how our country should be run. That used to be something our democracy could handle.
A foundational principle, stated clearly in our Constitution, is that we must remain free to express our beliefs and preferences, but we must also respect the rights of others to express their beliefs and preferences as well. Maintaining that balance is necessary to prevent the people in power from deciding that their beliefs count for more than those of ordinary citizens or those on the margins of society.
But there is a difference between tolerating people whose beliefs differ from our own and tolerating conduct that undermines the very democracy that allows us to disagree.
Lately we are being asked to tolerate differences that challenge the boundaries of the tent. Do we support corruption and self-dealing, buying of political influence, and the blatant use of enormous amounts of money to distort representative government? Do we accept that lying, deception and lack of transparency have become normal since they happen every day and are practiced at the highest levels of our government?
As we approach the midterm elections, through which voters typically express their opinion of the administration’s performance so far, there are races that seem to capture this dilemma in stark relief. In my last column I highlighted the race for Texas Governor between incumbent Greg Abbott and challenger Gina Hinojosa, a Texas state representative who is pointing to Abbott’s abuse of power to enact pet projects, like private school vouchers, as evidence of his disregard for the wishes of the majority of voters.
The race for US Senator from Texas offers an even more dramatic contrast. The Democratic nominee, James Talarico, has made corruption and the influence of corporate and billionaire money in our political system the centerpiece of his campaign. While he has raised a large amount of money, including some from a PAC with billionaire backing, over half of his contributions come from individuals donating less than $200.
Paxton, on the other hand, arguably would not be in the position he is in today, both as Attorney General and aspiring US Senator, without the support and influence of billionaire and corporate donors. By now we’re familiar with the facts of his impeachment by his own party and the accusations of his own aides that he used the power of his office to intervene in the legal troubles of a wealthy donor.
I don’t want to be tolerant of the enormous influence of money in politics. I don’t want to be tolerant of the idea that contributions can be unlimited and, in many cases, anonymous. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to see what a political campaign would look like if advertising were possible without needing millions of dollars?
Talarico is often asked about how he practices the “love thy neighbor” aspect of his Christian faith, and gives the example of bipartisan legislation that he has sponsored in the Texas House of Representatives. He says that he and a Republican representative once challenged each other to sit together and talk and listen, in search of common ground. Through their openness, they found a path that could help all their constituents, not just create winners and losers. Remember how that used to happen?
Paxton, on the other hand, thinks that displaying the Ten Commandments in all Texas classrooms will go a long way towards building a strong ethical foundation in our students, and that his personal behavior does not pertain. But I don’t want to be tolerant of that kind of hypocrisy in my elected officials.
So I do have some requirements for democracy’s big tent. There must be boundaries; there must be limits to what we agree to in order to allow our nation to flourish with respect to all its citizens and not just the wealthy, powerful ones. There must be strong support all around the tent, holding it firmly within the Constitutional framework that has survived many tempests of human conflict. The rule of law, free and fair elections, and active, vigorous representation by those we entrust with our votes are some of the pillars that keep the tent from collapsing.
To be sure that your vote will be counted, visit votetexas. gov to check that you are registered. If you’re not registered, go to votetexas.gov to begin the registration process. The deadline for registration is October 5, 2026. Early voting runs from October 19-30. Election day is November 3.
Let your government know what you won’t tolerate anymore.
Susan Hull is a retired clinical psychologist, a horse trainer and an independent voter. Contact her if you need help getting to the polls.
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