Fragile Nature of Democracy

As I travel through Central Europe—a region scarred by the tragedies of Nxxx rule and the suffocating decades behind the Iron Curtain—I am struck by a common thread of concern from nearly everyone I meet. From shop owners and tour guides to hotel receptionists, people are asking about our upcoming election, their voices filled with both worry and hope. Here, in nations that have endured oppression, sacrificed for freedom, and fought tirelessly for basic human rights, they understand the fragile nature of democracy all too well. They know the darkness of authoritarian rule and the painful cost of regaining independence, and now, they look to America with anxiety.

The United States, once a global emblem of democracy, now stands at a crossroads, and people here sense the weight of that moment. Many tell me they’re holding their breath, fingers crossed, saying silent prayers, hoping for an outcome that keeps the beacon of democracy burning bright.