The State of Democracy in 2024: Growing Division and Economic Inequality Post-Election

 

The State of Democracy in 2024: Growing Division and Economic Inequality Post-Election

The Democracy Under Threat

 

After the 2024 U.S. election, there’s been a troubling rise in division, with some openly hostile toward non-white citizens. This sentiment ignores a fundamental truth: the U.S. is a country built on diversity and shared history, with all citizens—regardless of race or origin—being rightful members of the nation. Ironically, some who are now quick to judge others arrived through similar paths, yet place blame instead of focusing on shared progress, fueling greater societal tension.

Some ardent supporters of the new administration anticipate that the president will expel non-white people. This perception disregards the essential role that immigrants have played in building America’s economy. The United States was not shaped by exclusion or division but through the collective efforts of diverse communities. Unfortunately, under this polarizing leadership, crime rates may rise, with certain law enforcement agencies either hesitant or unable to maintain order. This shift indicates a concerning change in American democracy, placing greater responsibility on state governors to uphold citizens’ rights.

In economic terms, the new administration’s focus on efficiency for middle and upper-middle classes has led companies to increasingly depend on AI and automation, meaning fewer jobs for workers. This shift raises profits and stock values but leaves those with limited access to education and training facing heightened job insecurity, as industries now demand skilled labor. As this income gap widens under the current administration, tensions between communities may grow, creating conditions that could contribute to rising crime.

Policies influenced by religious ideologies also threaten to restrict women’s autonomy over personal health decisions, dismantling rights once fundamental to American freedom. While this election result may have appeared acceptable to many voters, its potential consequences were perhaps not fully considered.

Recently, while grocery shopping in California, I overheard a conversation about layoffs—50 workers were let go at a company where the employee’s mother worked. The reason? The company decided to cut costs by outsourcing goods from abroad before tariffs rise. Ironically, some affected may have supported the administration, just as workers in Pennsylvania lost bonuses for similar reasons.

Corporate leaders, like Elon Musk, have capitalized on these outcomes. Musk, whose stocks have soared post-election, used financial influence to sway the election toward corporate interests. Musk’s background in apartheid South Africa—a regime that denied basic rights to Black citizens—raises ethical questions about those now shaping the American economy. With Musk and Trump sharing similar ideologies and now holding significant economic influence, corporations will likely profit substantially, with minimal oversight from law enforcement.

If a compromised attorney general is appointed, corruption could worsen, reaching levels unseen in American history. Though the U.S. Constitution includes mechanisms to prevent such issues, it’s challenging to uphold integrity when key government branches are led by compromised officials. Such governance, seen in authoritarian states like China and Russia, threatens to reshape the U.S. political landscape.

The difference between 2016 and 2024 is that this time, voters were aware of the risks and complexities involved in their choice, yet many still opted for this leadership. However, this period of disruption might serve as a wake-up call, a reminder of the fragile nature of democracy and the need for vigilance in protecting freedoms. The responsibility lies with citizens and leaders alike to uphold the principles of justice, equity, and respect for all.

If Americans fail to respond decisively, they risk living under a system that resembles the very forms of control they have historically resisted. The ideals of freedom and shared prosperity that built this nation are at stake, and preserving them requires that citizens demand accountability, push for transparency, and safeguard the inclusive spirit that defines democracy. For America to move forward without losing its core values, the electorate must recognize the cost of inaction and work toward a future where no group is marginalized, and no voice goes unheard.

In the end, it is this vigilance, paired with an unwavering commitment to democratic values, that will prevent America from slipping into a reality controlled by the powerful few. To safeguard the freedoms that make the United States unique, it’s essential for each generation to hold leaders accountable, insist on integrity, and reaffirm the nation’s founding promise: a country of the people, by the people, for all the people.