The 5 Minutes in Prague That Haunt Me in Trump's America

Our tour guide's words about the fleeting nature of democracy have never left me.

One of many graffiti walls in Prague. Photo by Author.

Standing in the shadow of Wallenstein Palace in 2018, I watched our Prague tour guide grimace as she spoke. A male government official stood by, the tension between them palpable, as she voiced her concerns about democratic backsliding under then-leader Miloš Zeman. Though I can't recall her exact words, her demeanor was resolute. I remember the official's cold, disapproving look as our tour group held its collective breath. At the time, I admired her boldness but didn't fully grasp her urgency.

I wish I had listened more carefully.

Our guide was in her late 50s, a bit older than me, and had lived through her country's transition from communism to democracy. She understood something many Americans, including myself, had forgotten: democracy isn't a permanent state. It's more like a garden that requires constant tending, or it will wither away.

For most of my life, I took democracy for granted.

It was the air we breathed, as natural and permanent as the mountains. But now, as I witness what appears to be a coup unfolding in the United States, that moment in Prague haunts me.

Democratic backsliding, which felt like a distant European concern, has become a five-alarm fire in the United States.

The parallels have become even more poignant since I discovered my German citizenship six months ago. Both countries I now call home are grappling with the same democratic fragility. Far-right movements are gaining traction in Germany, sparking protests in Berlin and beyond. In America, our president and his Republican supporters are conducting unprecedented attacks on our democratic institutions.

I've learned that democracy fails through dramatic coups and the silent erosion of norms and institutions. It fails when people are left behind economically, and their concerns go unaddressed for decades.

This past autumn, while canvassing for local democratic candidates, I met a power company worker whose primary concern was how wind farms might affect his job. His story reminded me that for many, democracy feels abstract compared to immediate worries about putting food on the table.

Politics is always personal.

The Biden administration made a considerable effort to address economic anxieties by capping insulin prices, canceling *some* student loan debt, and creating 14.8 million new jobs. But when people struggle with rising food costs and stagnant wages, they become vulnerable to authoritarian messages promising simple solutions to complex problems.

The threat against the United States democracy is real.

Sensitive Treasury data is being exposed, government systems are compromised, and economic trade wars have been initiated. It seems all hell is breaking loose.

But there's hope in the response: people are fighting back.

That tour guide in Prague wasn't just complaining; she was warning us. She knew from her country's history that democracy requires active participation, vigilance, and a willingness to push back against creeping authoritarianism.

We can protect our democracy by:

1. Watch, read, and listen to truthful media sources.

MeidasTouch News (MTN) is a pro-democracy news network working to expose authoritarian threats. With no corporate sponsors, they've taken the lead over Fox in digital ratings. Yep, due to grassroots support, they're kicking Trump's propaganda arm's ass, and Fox News is incensed about it. MTN is getting daily death threats from MAGA, and they could use your support. Consider becoming a free subscriber on their substack.

2. Let's hear your voice.

If you're not used to speaking up, doing so now in this hostile environment may sound scary. Yet citizens are calling their representatives, government offices, and corporations and crashing their phone lines. If you're nervous about talking on the phone or don't know what to write in an email, Jessica Craven's Chop Wood Carry Water offers excellent guidance).

3. Join with like-minded communities concerned about preserving democracy.

You're not alone, so find your people. Local, regional, and national Democrat clubs are seeing a surge in membership, even from independents and Republicans concerned about our democracy's direction. The Dems may have let you down before, but think big picture. With our support, young democratic leaders may be able to right this boat.

4. Know that overwhelm is part of the plan.

It may feel easier to climb under the covers and wait until the regime has imploded. Except we can’t do that without you. It’s all hands on deck, and yes, I know you’re upset. I am, too. That’s part of the plan. They want us frozen in fear or numbed out and staring at the bottom of an empty wine bottle.

Take heart—one small action by each of us daily is the way forward.

One small action every day.

The Czech Republic had to fight for democracy in our living memory. That may be why our guide understood its fragility so well. Americans are just beginning to learn this lesson, but we're learning it fast.

The question isn't whether democracy is under threat – it is. The question is: what are we willing to do about it? How many of us will tend democracy's garden before the weeds of authoritarianism take over?

I'd love to hear how you're getting involved. What gives you hope? What are you doing to counter it? Let's keep this conversation going because democracy doesn't defend itself – we do.

PS If you have time, listen to AOC on TikTok reveal an insider view of what is happening in our government.

@4thepeoplebythepeople#AlexandriaOcasioCortez #AOC #LetsTalk #WhatsReallyGoingOn #Chaos #Trump #Administration #Stealing #Treasury #Money #ElonMuskRat #Government #fypシ゚viral #ForYou #ForYourPage #America 🇺🇲 #WakeUp

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