Editor’s Note: This is a guest commentary. The opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board.
“The earth belongs in usufruct to the living … the dead have neither power nor rights over it.” These are the ironically immortal words written by Thomas Jefferson to James Madison on a September day in 1789. It was, according to Jefferson, the right and duty of each generation to take charge of their country and see to it that the government serves its people.
Alas, here we are in the year 2026; 47 Executives, 119 Congresses and 17 Courts later. It has been over 230 years since Jefferson wrote those words, and yet the current system is so broken that the President of the United States has pocketed close to $4 billion while the average American is struggling to budget their wages. In a world like this, it cannot be denied that the systems of government are failing. But what can people in a city that seems to be forever blue do to ensure a rebalance of power and a meaningful shift toward equity across the nation and around the globe? I do not purport to hold the answer; no one should. The issue must be debated at length, as it would be in any healthy democratic society. I would, however, like to offer my perspective on the subject, as the president of Ithaca College Democrats and as an increasingly concerned citizen.
For the better part of a year, I, along with several peers, have been working to reinstall the IC Democrats student organization with a goal to actively meet this moment of political turmoil. In this work, we have bonded over a shared drive and hope for a better future. While attending meetings, I have seen people come and go. Many tend to show up with a visceral, and frankly justified, sense of frustration, but without a clear idea of what to do with it. That is not a criticism in any way, but I do find it to be a troubling reflection of the moment that the country is currently experiencing. In the current political environment, it is easy and encouraged to fall into cycles of reaction rather than action. There are spaces for that kind of expression, and they serve a purpose, especially in times that feel as uncertain as these. However, a simmering sense of rage on its own cannot create change when it is simply channeled into angry discussions with like-minded friends or ranting and doomscrolling on social media. Instead, I encourage folks to get out of their rooms and comfort zone and fully participate in the American democratic system!
Perhaps this seems easier said than done, but by fully submerging oneself in participation, the rewarding ends far outweigh the occasionally uncomfortable means. The most obvious place to start is by voting. Over 20 states have enacted automatic voter registration for eligible citizens, making access easier than ever before. But, in 2024, only 48% of voters between the ages of 18 and 24 turned out to vote, the lowest participation rate of any age group. That gap ought not to be thought of as merely a representation of apathy and it certainly is not just a statistic. What it is can only be described as a missed opportunity for a generation to assert its influence. Voting may feel trivial, but it remains the fundamental foundation upon which all other forms of participation are built.
Once elections are over and a new government is in place, the responsibility shifts toward accountability. That means contacting legislators and staying informed on policy decisions, but above all, making the voice of the people heard beyond election cycles. It also means showing up, whether that be at protests or town halls, and then using those spaces to build coalitions with people who may not think exactly the same way you do. Growth can only occur when we step outside of our own circles and engage with perspectives that challenge us.
This is not to say that change can happen overnight or within four years, for that matter. In fact, things have a tendency to get worse before they get better, but nothing will change at all if we remain in our own echo chambers without taking any steps on our own to enforce change. Progress requires participation, and participation requires effort. If we are serious about creating a system that better reflects and serves its people, then we have to be willing to engage with the standing institutions in full, especially when it is difficult to do so.
