Tourists commemorate democracy and enjoy the view from the authentic Liberty Bell looking across Independence Square in Philadelphia.
Around ten-thirty Sunday evening, July 5, our quiet neighborhood came under bombardment. Launched from the residence across the road, fireworks that would rival many public displays burst in huge patterns showering sparks and ashes over a large area. This was not your average homestyle show.
We had just returned from a long day of travel, visiting relatives several hours away. Lying in bed, any hope for some sleep left when the fireworks started. The loud blasts shook the house. After about five minutes or so, it seemed to be over.
When the barrage continued, my usual patience gave way to major irritation. At other times and places, I enjoy watching fireworks, although in this case it set me on a path toward some kind of confrontation, which, like many people, I generally try to avoid.
Slipping out a back door in the darkness I crossed the road and approached the house. From the end of the driveway, I shined a bright light toward the backyard launch site. Seeing people there notice, I shouted, “Do you guys know what time it is?”
“We’re celebrating 250 years of freedom,” a man’s voice shouted from the distant darkness. “What’s wrong with that?” he said in a smart-alecky tone of voice. The response gave a clue about his place in the political spectrum, where the current leader’s self-absorbed thirst for power and wealth disregards the well-being of everyone else.
“We could be losing that freedom,” I muttered, suppressing the urge to reply loud enough for them to hear. My better judgment advised against any kind of shouting match. That doesn’t fit my personality, and it would be childish. I still plan to remain cordial with the neighbor, and I don’t believe that he was the one who shouted back.
‘Reduce the rancor’
Upon later reflection, I felt both vindicated and slightly embarrassed. Would it be possible to have a civil conversation with the revelers at a later time? I hope so, as do many others who are involved in various efforts and organizations to build bridges. Braver Angels is one those, which I wrote about in my May 8, 2025, post, “Reduce the Rancor – It takes Braver Angels to build bridges across the political divide.”
“Founded in 2016, Braver Angels is ‘a national, nonpartisan nonprofit with a particularly strong base in Minnesota dedicated to reducing unhealthy polarization without either side compromising its values.’
“Melina Voss of Braver Angels-Minnesota calls the partisan trend over the past 40 years ‘a national security problem.’ China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea want to see the U.S. divided. ‘Humans are not designed to listen to the other side’, Voss said, referring to human biology and the amygdala, a part of the brain that controls emotions of fear and aggression.”
The previous post mentions two books that might be helpful: The Road to Wisdom – On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust, by Dr. Francis Collins, who headed the National Institutes of Health during the Covid-19 battle, and Abundance, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. I have read Collins’ book and recommend it; the other is on my reading list.
‘Land of neighbors’
When following the political news results in sadness and loss of hope, it’s helpful to look around for good efforts to reduce the partisanship while allowing fruitful debate. A search for organizations and efforts trying to counter the political polarization turns up organizations such as Braver Angels (they wanted the name ‘Better Angels’, but that was already claimed).
The search turned up Minnesota Land of Neighbors. Supported by several philanthropic organizations such as the McKnight and Bush foundations, it’s a partnership of existing groups including Braver Angels, along with Common Ground, Civic Bridgers, and Media Minefield.
“Two-thirds of Minnesotans are exhausted with conflict and division and looking for something different, according to a More in Common report,” states the website ‘About’ page. It is hosting listening sessions around the state “where neighbors will share a meal, talk honestly about what matters to them, listen to others, and explore what action might look like together.”
Covering a May 2025 story for MinnPost about Braver Angels took me to a small listening session facilitated by ‘red’ and ‘blue’ leaders. It was interesting to see their rapport and ability to communicate while maintaining their political viewpoints, although it was evident that neither side was extremist. A greater challenge occurs when one side’s information comes only from Fox (Faux) News.
June 15-16 in Philadelphia the Promise of Democracy Summit will “gather civic leaders, policymakers, and Pulitzer Prize-winning historians to discuss strengthening the future of the democratic experiment.” Still a bit tainted by the taunt from the fireworks launchers, and the daily barrage of chaos coming from the current administration, the thought persists whether or not there even is a good future for democracy.
Combat corruption
The Democracy Summit is being organized by the Committee of Seventy, which describes its founding as being “established in 1904 to combat corruption in Philadelphia, playing a major role in the adoption of civil service reforms and the passage of the 1919 and 1951 Home Rule Charters. A nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, Seventy does not endorse candidates or represent any special interests.”
If you have visited the historic sites in Philadelphia, you may have felt the significance of the buildings and exhibits around Independence Square. Seeing the Liberty Bell and exhibits gives you an appreciation of what or forefathers accomplished. On our visit there some years ago I still recall our hurried pace for the last tour of Independence Hall.
We arrived at the check-in desk to retrieve previously made reservations. The host sent us across the square to Independence Hall, where a long line of tour hopefuls waited. Having reservations, we were escorted to the head of the line, barely making the last tour. If you are planning travels to busy tourist sites, it’s good to have reservations.
One more future date to remember is Sept. 15. The United Nations established the International Day of Democracy to promote and protect democratic values around the world. It is co-sponsored by the Interparliamentary Union, which states:
“Our support for International Democracy Day stems from our core belief that democracy requires the participation of all citizens. It is an opportunity to highlight the important role of parliaments, and to celebrate their capacity and mandate to deliver on justice, peace, development and human rights.”
It’s just a thought, but maybe Americans would be better served if the U.S. had a parliamentary form of government. No Electoral College that skews representation in the Senate, no endless and costly campaigns, more flexible with coalitions among conservative-centrist-liberal factions. But for now, we are stuck with democratic republic, and as Benjamin Franklin said, “if you can keep it.”
