The Ripple That Started It All
Sometimes big ideas start in the smallest places. For We The People Project 2026, it all began with a single post on Threads.
A few days ago, I came across a comment that said, “When the pendulum swings back, we better be demanding so much more than moderate, centrist democratic policies.” Underneath that post, people were listing ideas – everything from voting rights reforms to public health protections to restoring real guardrails in government. It felt like a community brainstorming session happening in real time.
Before I even thought about it, I responded, “We need a group project. Everyone take a topic and write a chapter on it for our Project 2026!”
I expected it to fly off into the void like most comments do but one person replied, “I love this idea!” That was all it took – one small, supportive comment, a pebble in the pond. That moment is what sparked the idea for We The People Project 2026 and it has been unfolding rapidly ever since.
I reached back out to the person who encouraged me – that very first person to say, “Yes, do this.” I let him know that I am actively building something, hoping to have it fully frameworked by this weekend and asked if he would be willing to take a look at it. His response?
“I would be honored.”
That meant something. Right now, in a time when so much online conversation is angry and cynical, that tiny bit of human encouragement reminded me that we are not alone – and that people want to build something better.
Why This Project Matters Right Now
I have seen a lot of people (especially Gen Xers like myself) expressing something that I have also felt deeply. We were raised believing in checks and balances. We were told our institutions would protect us. We believed the system held even when pushed. Then, we grew up. And we watched the “honor system” fail in real time.
We have seen:
- institutions plundered
- guardrails ignored
- justice applied unevenly
- powerful people facing no real consequences
So, when we talk about shaping the future, it can’t just be nostalgic. It can’t be about returning to how things were taught. Those systems weren’t strong enough. We need to bully-proof our democracy. We need to build transparency into the structure. We need reforms that can withstand bad actors.
Whether we like it or not, Project 2025 exists. I have only skimmed the highlights – the parts that keep being quoted, summarized, or warned about. However, I do know that by all accounts, it is a detailed, strategic, coordinated blueprint. We cannot respond with silence or scattered ideas. We need a thoughtful, informed, people-powered rebuttal.
That’s what We The People Project 2026 aims to be – a public, collaborative, reform-minded blueprint for America’s future that is written by citizens, not think tanks.
Where We Go From Here
This will only work if many voices contribute. Writers, reviewers, researchers, idea shapers, everyday citizens. If you care about democracy, rights, freedoms, and a healthier future, there is a place for you in this project.
We can’t undo the past few years but we can influence what comes next.