{"id":98369,"date":"2024-10-21T13:29:15","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T13:29:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/?p=98369"},"modified":"2024-10-31T18:04:17","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T18:04:17","slug":"democracy-at-stake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/2024\/10\/democracy-at-stake\/","title":{"rendered":"Democracy at stake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 Oct. 21, 2024 \u2013 Self-described renegade Congressman Adam Kinzinger made a visit to Rhode Island this week. Despite the state\u2019s notable blue streak, its appreciation for the occasional Republican politician (see Chafee Hall) and noted independent streak made it a welcoming spot to hear Kinzinger\u2019s message, shared most recently in his book, Renegade: Defending Democracy and Liberty in Our Divided Country<\/em>, published last year, and on his substack<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday, the former U.S. representative visited the äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾, where students and community members have been mulling and debating the meaning of democracy this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kinzinger\u2019s visit was a warm one\u2014at times humorous\u2014with little talk of blue or red and more discussion of the impact of the political on the personal and what recent and current events mean for young people today. The candid conversation was hosted by his former colleague and friend James Langevin, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001-23 known for reaching across the aisle in both his political work and post-legislative life<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Talking points<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A large audience filled Edwards Hall to hear the former congressman from Illinois detail democracy in action, and under fire, with his former colleague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kinzinger\u2019s chat with Langevin was an addition to the University\u2019s fall Honors Colloquium<\/a> lecture series, which is examining the risks facing democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA key takeaway from this year\u2019s Honors Colloquium is that institutions alone can’t prevent democratic backsliding,\u201d said Ashlea Rundlett, an assistant professor of political science, opening the night. \u201cDemocracy\u2019s resilience hinges on individuals with the moral courage to uphold democratic norms, even at the expense of their own goals or careers. Congressman Adam Kinzinger exemplifies this courage, having challenged misinformation and defended the rule of law at great personal and political cost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Kinzinger discussed that recent history, he asked students to look beyond Jan. 6, 2021, calling for increased attention to issues over personalities and people, and for citizens to become more active participants in democracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Kinzinger and Langevin provided firsthand insights on the events of Jan. 6. Kinzinger said that Americans, always united by a fiery passion to defend their rights, have increasingly become identified by political affiliation\u2014a marked change from when he first ran for political office as a college student, at age 20, or began serving in Congress in 2011.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kinzinger said he ultimately chose his own path, motivated more by individuals, including his fellow servicemember and friend Andreas O\u2019Keeffe, who died in Iraq, and his newborn son\u2014choosing to stand by his conscience, despite political consequences. Kinzinger said standing up for democracy in opposition to his party was a role he didn\u2019t always seek or welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, we are self-selecting into groups by belief,\u201d he said. He spoke of the influence of money and how the Republican party saw a drastic jump in funds raised, stoking fear to get votes and dollars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both described Jan. 6 as the worst day of their lives, recalling the chaos at the Capitol. The violence of the day was not a surprise to Kinzinger, based on tweets and threats he had seen on social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A member of the Air National Guard, he was glad to see Guard troops in Washington, D.C., but was also dismayed they had to be there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He admits having his own regrets from that time but says he wouldn\u2019t do anything differently. He asked the students in Edwards Hall to work for America and to believe in the U.S. and its institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a lot more, in reality, we agree on than we don\u2019t in this country,\u201d he said, noting the need for differences of opinion. \u201cEvery country needs a progressive movement and a conservative movement. The progressive movements push us forward and the conservative movements pull us back when needed. Bipartisanship may not be the hottest news topic but it helps you get things done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students in the audience found Kinzinger\u2019s story engaging, and appreciated the chance to hear firsthand about events they had previously only seen or read about online. Others remarked that it felt unusual to hear lawmakers from opposing parties have such a respectful and agreeable conversation. Those in the audience also serving in the military appreciated the chance to hear from a fellow veteran about his experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Megumi Sinniah, a master\u2019s student in international relations, commented, \u201cIt was refreshing for me to see a political leader emphasize honor and values. I appreciated hearing more about compromise as part of the political process.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Election security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Langevin also introduced one of the themes of the evening\u2019s talk, erosion of trust in the electoral process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cElections are a test,\u201d he said, \u201csomething we safeguard and depend upon in this country. Every four years, or less, we elect our leaders in elections run by our friends and neighbors, who work from morning to night, depending on one another to uphold our system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said it\u2019s highly damaging to have leaders express doubt in this process, that lack of trust in the electoral system directly impacts America\u2019s role in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the past, we all agreed on the rules of the game,\u201d added Kinzinger. \u201cOur Constitution was a compromise between its signers. Today, to have a former president and other leaders say the electoral system doesn\u2019t work, that votes don\u2019t count, is highly inflammatory in a country based on revolution. Anger begets violence if people feel their rights are being taken away from them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cExaggeration like this is not only fascist, it\u2019s dangerous,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

November<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A win by Vice President Kamala Harris would be important to witness this fall, Kinzinger said, citing confidence in her ability to deal with foreign leaders and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI don\u2019t agree with all of her politics,\u201d he said. \u201cI would like to see her work together toward a more balanced budget, address the deficit, and bring chip manufacturing back to the U.S. I\u2019m concerned about debt and tariffs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kinzinger also spoke to some of the reasons why some men are drawn to support Trump, at a time when masculinity and its role is part of the debate about this presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDonald Trump pretends to be a model of masculinity and to some men who feel left out, that is appealing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo the young men in this room, I say, it\u2019s okay to be masculine. Young men have been told masculinity is toxic and that\u2019s not true. It\u2019s okay to be masculine. Masculinity is many positive things\u2014defending the defenseless, fighting for what\u2019s right; masculine traits are good if used in the right way. What Trump represents is not.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Langevin ended the evening on a positive note.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBipartisan work is not the most exciting and doesn\u2019t garner news,\u201d he said, \u201cbut it happens more than people think.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To the students, he said: \u201cBe active, be moved. Listen and fact-check your leaders. Register to vote and make sure your vote is counted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

äçÐÄvlogÃâ·ÑBÕ¾\u2019s Honors Colloquium will next host Risa Brooks, speaking on \u201c<\/em>The Role of Militaries in Democratic Decline\u201d<\/em><\/a> on Oct. 22. All colloquium talks are free and open to the public. Register <\/em>here<\/em><\/a> for updates on future speakers and visit <\/em>here<\/em><\/a> to view talks by this fall\u2019s prior speakers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

KINGSTON, R.I. \u2013 Oct. 21, 2024 \u2013 Self-described renegade Congressman Adam Kinzinger made a visit to Rhode Island this week. Despite the state\u2019s notable blue streak, its appreciation for the occasional Republican politician (see Chafee Hall) and noted independent streak made it a welcoming spot to hear Kinzinger\u2019s message, shared most recently in his book, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":98370,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-98369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-archives"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98369","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98369"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":98601,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98369\/revisions\/98601"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uri.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}