Make Democracy Healthy Again (MDHA)

Facilitator: Steve McDonnell, (970) 237-0618, smcdonnell947@gmail.com Dates: Thursdays, April 2 — May 28, 2026 (8 weeks), no class on May 7 Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Text: None Presentations: No mandatory presentations. Participants may volunteer to provide short analyses or reports to the class on topics provided by the facilitator. Location: Foxtail 2, Senior Center, Class Limit: 28

This class is based on the premise that democracy, as we know it in America, is not healthy. We will focus on three main themes:

The first theme (weeks 1-2) focus on the historical context of what has led up to the current condition. We will review the history of democracy in America with an emphasis on the significant events and key decisions that have occurred from the 1980’s to the present.

The second theme (weeks 3-5) will be a review of the current events, policies, social media and other factors that have contributed to making democracy unhealthy in America. The focus will be on the United States, but we will also discuss international issues and events that have contributed to this condition.

The third theme (weeks 6-8) will focus on what leaders, groups and individuals are doing to make democracy healthy. We will discuss current activities as well as ideas and suggestions of things that people can do to make democracy healthy. We will review what is occurring on the international, national, state, local and personal levels.

The goals of this class are for participants to leave with a better understanding of our current condition and empowering people to take individual actions to make our democracy healthier. Some of the books and articles we will be using in this class include the following: Democracy Awakening by Heather Cox Richardson, The Project: How Project 2025 is Reshaping America by David A. Graham, The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall, The U.S. Constitution annotated by Ray Raphael, articles by Robert Reich, Heather Cox Richardson, Rachel Maddow, David Brooks, Jamelle Bouie and other authors from the Atlantic, New York Times and other sources.