Across the political spectrum, people feel the same tightening in their chest. Political violence is rising. Power is concentrating. Institutions once considered bedrock now shift under pressure and partisanship. Even if Americans disagree on why it’s happening, our experience is surprisingly unified.

With leaders sidestepping constitutional checks and balances, Americans are concerned that our systems are less stable, less predictable, and less accountable. We all share a common desire to live in a country grounded in safety, dignity, fairness, and freedom. We want a democracy that works for everyone, not a system that shields and emboldens those at the top. 

The Question Beneath the Questions

In times like these, many of us are wondering if our efforts make a difference. Throughout our nation’s history, time and time again, Americans have created positive change when we connect, stay informed, and take small, steady actions toward a goal. Even when all seemed lost. Most of the progress we’ve made in 249 years has come from millions of ordinary people taking human-scaled actions consistently together, not grand gestures by a few.

A Story Worth Remembering: Saving the ACA

Here’s how citizen action changed the course of the country. Do you recall what happened in 2017? A small contingent of Americans attempted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

At the time, political insiders said overturning this law was inevitable. The party in power made it the centerpiece of their agenda and expected a quick, clean victory. 

The People had other plans.

For weeks, Senate offices received hundreds of thousands of calls. Voicemail boxes filled. Staffers reported receiving so many constituent contacts per hour that they had to reassign personnel just to log the volume. Even Republican offices in rural states reported being overwhelmed by constituents asking their senators not to take away their care. For many people, it was the first political action they had ever taken.

At town hall meetings, disabled constituents showed up in wheelchairs, with oxygen tanks, with handwritten notes describing what losing coverage would mean to them. Parents spoke about their children’s surgeries. Elders spoke about medications they couldn’t live without. Neighbors showed up shoulder to shoulder in overflowing rooms demanding their lives be considered.

Then something extraordinary happened: Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins publicly cited the relentless pressure from their constituents as key reasons for voting “no” to repeal. Their votes broke the effort. John McCain’s additional “no” vote made headlines, but it was weeks of constituent advocacy that created the political conditions for him to justify this decision.

Because of steady pressure from people who cared enough to act, even when it felt hopeless, millions kept their healthcare. 

In times like these, it’s helpful to remember what civic engagement looks like and what your effort can still do today.

Does It Really Matter Whether I Call or Not?

People tell me all the time that there’s no point in calling. It’s maddening. They are convinced their progressive MoCs are doing enough. They are positive their conservative MoCs won’t listen. 

Will your call lead to change?

That’s the magic of democracy. We don’t know! We’ve never been here before and we don’t know what will motivate our elected officials to do the right thing, to do more, to stand up to intimidation and lawlessness. Phone calls made the difference for saving the ACA. 

How many calls and message lead to change? There’s only one way to find out.

The key strategy to stopping ACA repeal was stories of how people would be personally impacted. No matter how much we like or loathe them, our elected officials are out of touch with the realities average Americans are facing. What write your elected officials to tell them how you struggle to pay rent. Tell them how hard it’s been to find a job. Tell them how you feel about ICE threatening people in your community. 

Stories can change hearts even before they change minds. Stories are even more powerful than a pro-con call. 

The time is now

You may never know whether your voice made a difference. So I want to remind you that every message you send becomes part of the record, part of the math, and part of the moral weight that motivates elected to act in our best interests. It doesn’t matter whether you call, write, or email, your voice gets counted. 

We just need volume.

And there’s no better moment to speak up than right now. Here’s why: in times of economic hardship, elected officials are more likely to lose their seats in elections. They know this. This makes them more than usually open to considering different or challenging views. As horrific as it is, this time of instability is providing the perfect conditions for change if we apply more pressure.

Care Enough to Act

When norms fray and leaders behave recklessly, our consciences tell us this is morally wrong. We want stability, safety, justice, and opportunity for ourselves and others. These are human hopes, not partisan ones.

You and I are part of a long tradition of ordinary people refusing to give up. Every call you make, every signature you add, every donation you give can rebuild the future we’re longing for. Speak up for a thriving nation, accountable leadership, and strong democracy—just as people have done for generations. 

Change requires action.

Open this week’s Americans of Conscience Checklist and join us in doing the work. Twice a month, our awesome volunteer team toils to research, write, and edit each list of actions. We count on you to be part of the solution. Whether you have five minutes or 50, join us in speaking up as one chorus for the better future we know is possible.