As Americans prepare to celebrate the 4th of July and count down to "America 250," the democratic republic is facing a critical turning point. David Blankenhorn, the co-founder and former president of Braver Angels — a grassroots movement with over 12,000 members offering workshops and discussions to bridge political divides — quotes Founding Father James Madison to remind citizens that self-government demands a higher degree of morals than any other political system. True citizenship requires more than just casting a ballot—it means stepping up publicly to find common ground face-to-face. #America250 #July4th #PreservingDemocracy #JamesMadison #BraverAngels #CommonGround #USHistory #Shorts #Democrat #Republican #Independent #THIRTEEN #WNET #IndependenceDay