take on things. My concern about Trump throwing out the possibility of no midterm elections is our balance of power is off kilter. The other is the spineless Republicans will do as Trump says no matter if it is not best for the country.
What’s chilling here isn’t just the brazenness of “I don’t care,” but the implication that electoral accountability itself is optional — or disposable — if it becomes inconvenient.
The Madisonian system assumes friction: that elected officials care about the consent of the governed because that consent is visible, measurable, and politically consequential. When that feedback loop erodes — when leaders can dismiss polls, economic warnings, or even elections themselves — the system doesn’t just weaken, it unravels.
One of the quiet failures of modern democracy is that voter priorities are often diffuse, invisible, or only legible after polarization has hardened positions. That creates space for leaders to claim there is no clear public will to respond to — and therefore nothing to “care” about.
Some of us are trying to rebuild that missing connective tissue by making voter priorities transparent before crises escalate. One Voice One Vote Count and Deliver (https://countanddeliver.org) is a nonpartisan civic platform designed to document what citizens actually want and whether elected officials publicly engage those priorities in real time.
If midterm elections are increasingly nationalized and insulated from local accountability, then restoring visibility and consequence to public consent may be one of the few ways left to make “I don’t care” politically untenable again.
I wish I could say this gave me comfort. I just read a biography of Samuel Adams. Relevant to these times.
Many people back then also didn’t care about how the King treated them, he had to walk them through it, persuading them to look out for their own interests. Over and over and over again until it stuck.
So many Americans have become so insular and apathetic they have no interest in news or facts. I was just speaking with one yesterday. Married to a mexican, most of his family lives nearby with only work visas, and she had no idea what has been going on. It is scary as hell. She literally said “Is it me or is trump2 a lot worse than trump1?” Dog save us.
I wish I could paste a screenshot of a cartoon King George III eating a chicken on his throne while uttering ‘I Don’t Care’ - and music would be even better. 🎶Rockin’ and a-Rollin’ Splishin’ and a-Splashin’🎵
Ken Burns was on Kara Swisher’s podcast recently, and she asked him what the founding fathers would be most surprised about today, and his answer was congress’ lack of pushback against presidential powers. I look forward to the midterms.
Thanks John, you're voice is one I've always listen for and even more so in these times. Someone else mentioned apathy which I fear will be our greatest downfall.
I wonder if self reflection from the Democratic Party would help? We should list five items that we readily admit were mistakes and possible fixes or improvements. Too much dogma from both parties causes people to tune out and not be receptive to solutions/improvements. What do we agree on?
The title is classic click bait but you got me. I could never believe the words "I don't care" would come outt of John Dickerson's mouth. Totally not surprised about the source.
John, always glad to read your
take on things. My concern about Trump throwing out the possibility of no midterm elections is our balance of power is off kilter. The other is the spineless Republicans will do as Trump says no matter if it is not best for the country.
I agree. The MAGA Republicans are as afraid of Trump like the kid in school was afraid of the gang of bullies b
Thanks, John! I look forward to more articles from you! 🥰❤️👍
What’s chilling here isn’t just the brazenness of “I don’t care,” but the implication that electoral accountability itself is optional — or disposable — if it becomes inconvenient.
The Madisonian system assumes friction: that elected officials care about the consent of the governed because that consent is visible, measurable, and politically consequential. When that feedback loop erodes — when leaders can dismiss polls, economic warnings, or even elections themselves — the system doesn’t just weaken, it unravels.
One of the quiet failures of modern democracy is that voter priorities are often diffuse, invisible, or only legible after polarization has hardened positions. That creates space for leaders to claim there is no clear public will to respond to — and therefore nothing to “care” about.
Some of us are trying to rebuild that missing connective tissue by making voter priorities transparent before crises escalate. One Voice One Vote Count and Deliver (https://countanddeliver.org) is a nonpartisan civic platform designed to document what citizens actually want and whether elected officials publicly engage those priorities in real time.
If midterm elections are increasingly nationalized and insulated from local accountability, then restoring visibility and consequence to public consent may be one of the few ways left to make “I don’t care” politically untenable again.
I wish I could say this gave me comfort. I just read a biography of Samuel Adams. Relevant to these times.
Many people back then also didn’t care about how the King treated them, he had to walk them through it, persuading them to look out for their own interests. Over and over and over again until it stuck.
Who will do that now?
So many Americans have become so insular and apathetic they have no interest in news or facts. I was just speaking with one yesterday. Married to a mexican, most of his family lives nearby with only work visas, and she had no idea what has been going on. It is scary as hell. She literally said “Is it me or is trump2 a lot worse than trump1?” Dog save us.
Seems like we’re treated more as consumers than citizens. And many of us are OK with that. 😞
Keep up the good work John. Us CBS folks miss you. Glad you’re still here.
I think it is good to have people like John (and heather cox Richardson) who talk about the moment we are in in historical context
The historians are the ones to listen to in this challenging time.
Agree
I wish I could paste a screenshot of a cartoon King George III eating a chicken on his throne while uttering ‘I Don’t Care’ - and music would be even better. 🎶Rockin’ and a-Rollin’ Splishin’ and a-Splashin’🎵
Ken Burns was on Kara Swisher’s podcast recently, and she asked him what the founding fathers would be most surprised about today, and his answer was congress’ lack of pushback against presidential powers. I look forward to the midterms.
Thank you for your terrific work!
Thank you, John. One of the best things I’ve read so far on Substack
Thanks John, you're voice is one I've always listen for and even more so in these times. Someone else mentioned apathy which I fear will be our greatest downfall.
I wonder if self reflection from the Democratic Party would help? We should list five items that we readily admit were mistakes and possible fixes or improvements. Too much dogma from both parties causes people to tune out and not be receptive to solutions/improvements. What do we agree on?
Always like your straight thinking on whatever the topic, but you especially are right on when it comes to this one.
The title is classic click bait but you got me. I could never believe the words "I don't care" would come outt of John Dickerson's mouth. Totally not surprised about the source.
I didn’t mean for it to be clickbait! Honest!
No problem 😊!
Wow! Sharing the Schoolhouse Rock video! Good persepective on your part…..
Historical perspective is so critical now as is constitutional foundation. Thank you for the best of both.
Hey, good to see you back! Keep those keen insights coming!