The American Balance Sheet

Taking stock of the institutions, principles, and civic habits that determine America's democratic health.

The Steady State examines America's democratic balance sheet—from national security and the rule of law to economic power and civic engagement. We ask a simple question: Are we investing in the institutions that sustain self-government, or spending down the reserves that generations before us built?

The Steady State examines America’s democratic balance sheet—from national security and the rule of law to economic power and civic engagement. We ask a simple question: Are we strengthening the institutions that sustain self-government, or spending down the democratic capital built by previous generations which will handicap many generations to come?

We contend that under the Trump administration, the United States is experiencing a systemic erosion of democratic capacity. Institutions have weakened, executive power has expanded, strategic leadership has become increasingly politicized, and concentrated wealth has deepened the influence of a modern oligarchy.

Yet decline is not inevitable. Democratic renewal begins with citizens—rebuilding trust, strengthening civic engagement, defending the rule of law, and investing once again in the institutions that make constitutional self-government possible.

What do YOU think?

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THE ESSENTIALS

The Missing Institution in America’s Democratic Crisis

Due Process, Deferred

FREDONIA PROJECT - SITREP 26: US DOMESTIC AND NATIONAL SECURITY - U.S. CELEBRATES ITS 250TH YEAR

Common Sense Take II: States, Schools, and Communities - Part 3

Complaint and Request for Investigation into Partisan Political Activities by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Violation of the Hatch Act and Department of Defense Hatch Act Policy

Having “The Conversation” About Threats to Democracy - Lessons Learned

America Doesn’t Have Kings. It Has Billionaires.

Common Sense Take 2 - Good Grief

The Spies America Is Losing

QUOTED

Steven Cash recently spoke to The Atlantic about the danger the Trump administration poses to national security.

“Trump ran on a platform, and ran his first term, in a way that made it clear that he saw the intelligence community more like a press and propaganda office,” Steven Cash, a veteran intelligence officer who also served as a staff member on congressional oversight committees, told me. “That’s fundamentally at odds with why there is an intelligence community.”

Read the full article here: (With regret, this article is only accessible with a subscription to The Atlantic).

TRENDING on Instagram

This week, The Steady State collaborated with @theorangecrumble to ring the alarm on the erosion of our democracy.

THE MISSION

This week, The Steady State filed a complaint and request for Investigation to the Office of Special Council after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth endorsed a candidate while on official business in Kentucky; a clear violation of The Hatch Act.

Read the full, detailed complaint here:

Complaint and Request for Investigation into Partisan Political Activities by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Violation of the Hatch Act and Department of Defense Hatch Act Policy

#HOLDFAST

Founded in 2016, The Steady State is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization of more than 400 former senior national security professionals. Our membership includes former officials from the CIA, FBI, Department of State, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security. Drawing on deep expertise across national security disciplines, including intelligence, diplomacy, military affairs, and law, we advocate for constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and the preservation of America’s national security institutions.