The Independence Project
We are a group of proud citizens of America who are determined to revive the fraying social contract of mankind by finding the right synergy to collaborate and instilling a deep care of the community in order to work together to face common challenges and achieve common good.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”
– Margaret Mead
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”
– Margaret Mead
Save Democracy. Save Djibouti.
A healthy democracy requires a just, tolerant and respectful society. It means dispelling injustice and restoring human dignity not just locally but also globally. To find out about the ongoing struggle for democracy in Djibouti.
GET INVOLVED
Present Reality: The Death of Democracy
The American democracy in its 21st century is gradually, subtly and even legally dying. When the custodians of democracy – the elected leaders of a country, themselves strive to preserve and promote differences; When democratic institutions such as police, court and prisons become instruments of oppression; When dissension and other democratic practices are seen as unnecessary obstructions; When government and corporations cut cozy deals and family members scratch each other backs – then it is time to call it a death of democracy. Today, what we are left with in America is a battered carcass of democracy being dragged along with the help of biased journalism and entrenched corruption. It’s time we shed the weight of this carcass of democracy that far from serving us has only slowed us down by limiting liberty and the free market. It’s time to finally realize that the grand democratic dream of an egalitarian world is merely a mirage sold by the corrupt political and economic systems of the country.
How Democracy Dies
In a country like America where elections are regularly held, constitution and other nominally democratic institutions are in place, there are no violent seizures of power, and no tanks on the streets, then the death of democracy in America is not easy to detect. Signs of the death of democracy in America are not a coup, imposition of martial law or suspension of constitution but it is decades of systematic exclusions, institutionalized corruption, identity politics, oppressive police force and a deflective and unresponsive government and media that reeks of a gradually dying democracy. Blinded sided by a façade of democracy, the suffering people of America do recognize there is a problem and criticize the present situation but fail to see the best way forward. Among Americans and to the world, the idea of America and what it stood for i.e. merit, equality and opportunities has been greatly compromised. Only 13% of the total population of America claim to be satisfied with the way things are in the United States.
“the end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when the government
falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations.”
-Thomas Jefferson, 1816
“the end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when the government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations.”
-Thomas Jefferson, 1816
Who is to Blame: The Assassins of Democracy
It is only a small percentage of Americans who benefit from a weakened democracy. They are the corrupt corporate elites and political leaders of the country who believe we can’t be hurt if we can be bought! The entitled class of the business and the political world form an unholy alliance to fill their own private coffers at the expense of the people at large. While the rich find new ways of protecting their wealth through the misuse of power by their ‘friends’ holding office in the political world; on the other hand, politicians holding and seeking an office rely on financial support from their rich allies belonging to the corporate world. Together they act as the Kings of Democracy who although only a small percentage of the entire population yet manage to hijack the most power and loot the national wealth.
The World Around Us is Changing, and So Must We
- Unprecedented times: The global crisis brought on by the novel coronavirus has thrown up a series of unprecedented challenges and complications. From the initial social distancing to the strict lockdown we have witnessed emptying of schools, filling up of morgues, closing down of workplaces, increase in unemployment, vastly polarised electorate and grossly alienated society.
- A cloud of gloom: Several popular unrest and civil pushbacks against government authorities and policies are reflective of the growing anger, anguish and political cynicism among people.
- Truth Decay: Media is bought off or bullied into undermining, suppressing or altering facts, data or analysis to confuse and mislead people.
- Not-so-smart voters: A generation of voters with smart phones in their hands, overdosed and addicted to fake news has resulted in ignorant voters making questionable decisions that gravely endanger ideals of democracy
- Unlearn and reinvent: The pandemic has put a spotlight on the world’s need for reliable, consistent and connected communications and contactless interfaces.
- A time to act: The time, here and now, is ripe to step up individually and collectively to bail out our nation from the prevailing ignorance, injustice and inequality and steer it towards an America as envisioned by our founding fathers.