Democracy, Misinformation, and the Fight for Equity

Democracy, Misinformation, and the Fight for Equity

Democracy, at its core, is supposed to be simple: a government by the people, for the people. Citizens elect officials who reflect their concerns, values, and hopes for the future. But what happens when those concerns and values are based on misinformation and manipulation, skillfully deployed by the wealthiest few whose intentions starkly differ from those of everyday people? That, in my view, is the crossroads at which America currently stands.

When a nation can be swayed by lies and fearmongering, democracy becomes fragile. In 2024, the people elected a leader who weaponized misinformation, preyed on insecurities, and promised a vision of greatness that was nothing more than smoke and mirrors. This leader assembled a cabinet whose combined net worth exceeds $14 billion—more than the annual income of over half of American households combined. To put this in perspective, the average American household earns around $70,000 a year, while some members of this administration possess individual wealth that could sustain millions of families for generations. This is not representation—it’s oligarchy wrapped in the guise of democracy.

One of the incoming administration's first moves was an executive action that targeted the rights of transgender individuals, rolling back protections and reinforcing the marginalization of an already vulnerable community.

As a proud socialist, I believe that every single human being—regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or creed—has an inalienable right to food, shelter, healthcare, and the opportunity to thrive. These are not lofty ideals but the basic building blocks of an equitable society. Yet, when the nation’s wealthiest individuals, like Elon Musk, hoard resources beyond comprehension, we’re left scrambling for scraps from an increasingly limited pool.

Let me break it down with an allegory: Imagine a single person with so much bread that their loaf could stretch across the planet. Meanwhile, millions of others are left fighting over a single crumb. If billionaires like Musk were taxed fairly—just like the rest of us—imagine how many loaves of bread could feed the world. Instead, we see policies and systems that perpetuate inequity, leaving us to fend for ourselves in a rigged game.

And here’s what scares me the most: the creeping erosion of empathy. Democracy isn’t just about votes—it’s about values. What happened to loving thy neighbor? To seeing humanity in others, even if they look different, pray differently, or identify differently than we do? If we’re becoming a nation that prioritizes selfishness and egotism over compassion, we are losing our way.

But I refuse to believe it’s too late. There is strength in community and in numbers. History has shown us that when people come together, the tide can turn. The question is, what will it take for us—the everyday folks, the “little guys”—to rise up and demand better? How can we inoculate ourselves and others against the disease of misinformation?

I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this: the fight for democracy is the fight for truth, equity, and compassion. It’s a fight worth having, because the alternative is too bleak to consider. It starts with demanding accountability—from our leaders, from the ultra-wealthy, and from ourselves. We can’t afford to sit back and let lies dictate our future.

The time is now. Let’s stop the misinformation in its tracks and demand a democracy that works for all of us.

Written with love,
The Not So Common Gal

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.