Hit Refresh on the American Dream
Let's Rise as One People
In every generation, Americans face a defining question:
Will we rise together—or fall apart?
Today, we face a crisis of confidence in our democracy. The U.S. Constitution—drafted in 1787 for a nation of fewer than 4 million—is no longer equipped to meet the demands of a 21st-century society of more than 330 million people.
Our political system, shaped in the age of powdered wigs and parchment, is breaking under the strain of polarization, elite capture, and institutional gridlock. In the wake of the 2024 election, trust in government hit a 70-year low1, and only 20% of Americans say they trust the federal government to do what is right2.
The American Dream—freedom, dignity, opportunity—is fading or non-existent for the majority of Americans who are living paycheck-to-paycheck. It’s not because people don’t care about our government, rather they feel betrayed. They no longer believe their voices matter.
We Are the New-Founders
The first 6,000 citizens have already stepped forward to join #unifyUSA, an inter-partisan movement organizing Citizens’ Assemblies to Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution. These assemblies—built on the democratic practice of sortition (random selection)—create inclusive spaces for everyday Americans to deliberate, listen, and co-create real solutions.
We believe that We the People must take the lead—not by tearing down the old, but by rebuilding together.
Earlier this month, I was honored to witness a local Citizens’ Assembly in Fort Collins, Colorado. People from across political divides came together with respect and openness. For a few sacred hours, truth returned to the room. A sense of dignity, belonging, and shared purpose was restored.
I want this for all of us.
I want this for our country.
A Call to Former and Current Political and Military Leaders
To those who have served—and those still serving—whether in elected office or in uniform: We call on you now, not for your rank, your title, or your party, but for your courage.
You swore oaths to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. That sacred commitment does not expire. Today, our greatest threat is not a foreign invader—it is internal disillusionment, civic decay, and the slow collapse of trust in our own institutions.
You know this truth better than most: our system is broken. It is not delivering on the promise of liberty and justice for all.
We invite you to lend your moral authority, your institutional wisdom, and your faith in the American people to this peaceful, citizen-led process of renewal.
Join us—not as saviors, but as partners in a new founding.
Help us Hit Refresh on our Constitution and co-create a democracy worthy of the people it serves. This is not about ideology. It’s about protecting what generations before us have fought to preserve—and preparing it for the generations to come.
A Call to the Global Community
To our allies across the world—governments, activists, journalists, businesses, the United Nations, inter-governmental organizations, peacebuilders, and all who believe in democratic freedom—we ask you to stand in international solidarity with the American people.
Democracy is not just an American idea—it is a global inheritance. What happens in the United States echoes across borders. As we rise against the growing tide of authoritarianism, your moral, diplomatic, and economic support is not only welcome—it is essential.
We invite business leaders to stand for long-term stability over short-term profits. We ask the United Nations and all multilateral institutions to recognize this people-led constitutional renewal as a model for peaceful democratic transformation. And we call on inter-governmental bodies to amplify and protect the right of Americans to shape our governance through inclusive, citizen-driven processes.
This is not about saving America. It’s about walking beside us as we rise to save ourselves—and offer renewed hope to democracies everywhere.
A Roadmap to the Future
We are launching Project 2026—a peaceful revolution to co-create a People’s Constitution by July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, or as soon as possible.
To learn more about the vision and strategy, read and share my new book, then ask yourself:
What are you willing to let go of—fear, certainty, comfort, control—so that all of us may rise?
This is not the work of spectators.
It is the sacred responsibility of citizens.
Let’s rise—as one people.
Dr. Paul Zeitz is the Co-Founder of #unifyUSA, an inter-partisan citizens' movement dedicated to Hit Refresh the U.S. Constitution through Citizens’ Assemblies and author of Hit Refresh on the U.S. Constitution: A Revolutionary Roadmap for Fulfilling on the Promise of Democracy and Revolutionary Optimism: 7 Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist.
Footnotes
Pew Research Center. “Public Trust in Government: 1958–2024.”
Gallup. “Americans’ Trust in Federal Government Remains Low.” October 2024.
Amein!
Damn... Lost my comment!
Basically, I want to know if restricting input to people registered to vote will not encompass the full spectrum of ideas and concerns of our citizens. Many are disenfranchised and do not vote. Civics education has stopped since the 1980s to keep the "proletariat uneducated" and easy to manipulate.
What about the youngsters who never learned how important voting is to their lives? How do you intend to get their input? What outreach programs do you have planned for States like KY where people discuss and complain about politics but see no reason to vote because their believe system is that all politicians are crooks that end up becoming rich (rich is true)? My in-law family live in Eastern KY and WV and they truly see no reason to vote. I can be persuasive but they never budge on this issue and if your using people on voter roles, you'll never get their rather important input. You'll also never get many of the young people's input here in NYS, especially in the rural areas where there's a sense that they are never truly represented. The Dairy Farmers are especially concerned about the AG bill, are promised it will be instituted and it never happens (see Stefanick). The only reason NYS is Blue is because of the number of voters in NYC boros of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. Staten Island is red Red. Most of the State is Red for that matter.
If there's a lottery, how are you intending to bring in these other voices? Long Island, where I'm originally from, has been a conservative Republican stronghold for years. I live in the Capital District with a Dem representative & the district just south of us worked hard to turn Dem last election cycle. It goes back and forth. The North Country where Stefanick holds her seat can't stand her & they finally have a candidate that's a farmer who could possibly beat her. That's why she didn't go on to be UN Ambassador. Each region in NY, NH, ME & even MA have several times each have had both Dem and Repub representatives and Governors. That's where our Country began and they take that seriously so you may get enough registered voters in New England.
Again, many aren't registered to vote. Why can't they be included?
In general, what about the input of those turning 18 that see no reason to register because Civics isn't taught properly thanks to Reagan's policy of keeping the "proletariat uneducated?"
I'm a Sociologist and choosing samples and sizes matter. I'm also 67 years old, worked for Social Security in their Regional Office for several years during Reagan's term (what a mess we had to clean up!) so I am highly competent in reading, interpreting and implementinh laws and procedures. My second career was running a brand new NYS funded Addiction Treatment Center and it was a breeze compared to Social Security. I excel at leadership as I teach people the why's of each action taken. I've taught Addiction Treatment in colleges, taught untold numbers of persons at Social Security so I know what I'm doing.
Research Methods was vitally important to me and I have a minor in Statistics. Sienna College is less than a mile from me and their political research is extremely flawed. They partner with the NY Times. Let's just say my input was unwelcomed. I have more knowledge and insight than most PhD's... just ask my friends, for example, the Dean of Bowdoin College and an attorney for the DOJ in California, etc.
I was present at a Zoom call with my Article V colleagues with you and you said it would be uploaded to YouTube. It's not under #Unify-USA and I can't find it elsewhere. The next thing I know is that your book is being hawked and a Citizen Assembly in CO was held and doesn't even have audio!? Where can I listen to how it was run so I can decide if I want to be involved any further? No, I haven't signed up on the website but will do so to see if my questions are answered.
Let's hope you have the ability to engage me in the project. I'm smart, skilled, and an asset to any endeavor.