This is the Second American Revolution—The Peaceful One!
Join #unifyUSA to Hit Refresh on the Constitution
Today marks exactly 16 months until July 4, 2026—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. On that historic day, our Founders declared a bold vision for a nation where the government derives its legitimacy from the consent of the governed.
Today, in 2025, that consent is strained to its breaking point. Our democratic system is faltering, trust in institutions has collapsed to historic lows, and our Constitution—our foundational document—is failing to meet the needs of 21st century America. The state of our union is fragile as we see that the Constitution is collapsing before our eyes.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. warned us: "We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now." These words ring truer than ever. We can no longer wait for politicians entrenched in the very system that's failing us to somehow fix what is broken. The future of our democracy cannot be postponed. The time to act is now.
This is why we are launching #unifyUSA, an inter-partisan citizens' movement to hit refresh on the U.S. Constitution and forge a path toward a revitalized democracy. This is the Second American Revolution—the peaceful one! It is the opportunity of a generation—an urgent, historic moment where We the People must step up, reclaim our collective power, and chart a course toward a more perfect union.
A New Model for Democratic Renewal
Our #unifyUSA movement is rooted in one core principle: democracy must be of, by, and for the people. But we cannot rebuild our democracy through the old, broken ways of hyper-partisan politics, corporate influence, and exclusionary decision-making.
Instead, we need a new model—one that centers Citizens' Assemblies, where everyday Americans from all walks of life come together to deliberate, debate, and co-create the next iteration of our democratic system. Together we can Hit Refresh on the Constitution. These assemblies have proven successful in countries like Ireland, where they helped resolve deeply divisive issues through thoughtful citizen engagement rather than toxic political warfare.
For more information Citizens’ Assemblies, check out these resources:
DemocracyNext: Assembling an Assembly Guide
Leadership Now Project: Guide on Citizens’ Assemblies
Our Four-Step Action Plan
Step 1. Local Citizens' Assemblies: The Power of Community-Driven Democracy
The heartbeat of #unifyUSA begins in towns, cities, and neighborhoods across the nation. Local Citizens' Assemblies—hosted by civic democracy hubs, community centers, libraries, and local institutions—will bring Americans together to discuss shared values, practical solutions, and the core principles of a refreshed Constitution.
These local assemblies will be designed to cut through partisan divides and focus on what unites us: fairness, representation, justice, and a government that truly serves its people. Participants will discuss amendments and reforms that reflect modern needs—from election integrity and voting rights to checks on corruption and reimagining the role of government in our lives.
Step 2. Regional Citizens' Assemblies: Scaling Up the Conversation
As local assemblies build momentum, representatives will converge at Regional Citizens' Assemblies. These gatherings will synthesize insights from the local level and refine proposals into actionable frameworks for constitutional renewal.
Regional Assemblies will ensure that no voice is left unheard, with diverse perspectives coming together to identify national priorities, refine proposed amendments, draft a refreshed Constitution, and build consensus on fundamental democratic reforms. Here, we'll connect the dots between local concerns and national solutions.
Step 3. National Citizens' Assembly: A Historic Moment for American Democracy
The culmination of this process will be the National Citizens' Assembly, where representatives from across the country will gather to finalize a draft of a refreshed Constitution. This assembly will reflect the deliberations of millions of Americans, integrating the best ideas and innovations that have emerged through the grassroots movement.
Unlike the secretive, elite-driven process of the Constitutional Convention in 1789, this National Citizens' Assembly will be transparent, participatory, and inclusive, ensuring that all Americans feel ownership over the democratic renewal process.
Step 4. Ratification: A People-Powered Democracy
Once a consensus has been reached on the refreshed Constitution, it must be ratified by the people. We envision two possible pathways:
A popular vote referendum, allowing every American to have a direct say in adopting the new Constitution.
An accelerated amendment process, where an omnibus constitutional amendment could be adopted through action by state legislatures and Congress.
Regardless of the exact mechanism, the goal is clear: the future of American democracy must be decided by the people, not politicians, oligarchs or special interests. Citizens can and must lead the way!
Why This Matters Now
This is not just another policy debate. This is not just another political movement. This is a generational opportunity—perhaps the most significant democratic endeavor since the ratification of the original Constitution in 1789.
The alternative is unacceptable. If we do nothing, our democracy will continue to decay under the weight of dysfunction, corruption, and division. The warning signs are everywhere—from record-low congressional approval ratings to the increasing sense that our system serves powerful interests rather than ordinary citizens.
But if we act—if we come together in the spirit of unity, civic courage, and collective problem-solving—we can build a government that truly represents all of us. We can create a constitutional framework that addresses modern challenges while preserving the core values of liberty, equality, and justice that have always defined America at its best.
The Time to Act Is Now
Dr. King warned us not to fall into "the tranquilizing drug of gradualism." We cannot afford to wait. The fierce urgency of now demands that we step forward, boldly and peacefully assemble, to shape the future of our democracy.
The path forward is in our hands. Let's seize this opportunity, and join together to launch the Second American Revolution—peacefully. We can ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a nation where the promise of liberty and justice for all is not just an ideal, but a lived reality.
Join us. #unifyUSA begins now.
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 Revolutionary Optimism: 7 Steps for Living as a Love-Centered Activist.
Hi Paul, thanks for your comment. My time and energy are spent on promoting the Earth Constitution. Our next session of the Provisional World Parliament is next December in Pondicherry, India. You can check out one of our websites at www.earthconstitution.world. With blessings, Glen
Democracy is impossible under capitalism. It is also impossible under the war-system of militarized sovereign nation-states. To really care about democracy is to work for world democracy under the Earth Constitution: www.earthconstitution.world.