The Unraveling of America's Social Contract
The first months of Donald Trump's second presidency have witnessed an unprecedented assault on the democratic institutions and values that defined America's post-World War II leadership. Democracy scores have plummeted from 67 to 55—the steepest decline ever recorded without a coup—while coordinated attacks target the social safety net that provides dignity and security to over 160 million Americans.
This isn't random policy disagreement. These six areas represent a systematic assault on the values that emerged from America's victory over fascism: the social safety net that provides dignity in old age, healthcare systems that prevent suffering, economic openness that creates prosperity, and democratic institutions that preserve freedom.
"This represents more than policy disagreements—it's an attempt to redefine America's fundamental character and abandon the values that made us the world's beacon of democracy."
— Constitutional Defenders Analysis
The Six Fronts of Attack: Weighted by Public Concern
Social Security Assault
73 million beneficiaries face unprecedented service cuts. 100% benefit clawbacks restored, 7,000 jobs eliminated, offices closed forcing 135-mile trips for seniors.
Medicare Under Attack
66 million Medicare recipients face $490 billion in automatic cuts through sequestration while prescription drug protections are eliminated.
Economic Nationalism
25% tariffs on Canada/Mexico, 20% on EU shatter 70 years of trade liberalization. 500,000 jobs destroyed, $22,000 lifetime losses per household.
Healthcare Access Crisis
24 million Americans with ACA coverage face 75-79% premium increases when enhanced subsidies expire December 31, 2025.
Democratic Decay
Democracy scores plummet 67→55 as 500+ political scientists document movement toward "competitive authoritarianism" with systematic norm violations.
Executive Supremacy
152 executive orders in 2025 claim unconstitutional "impoundment" powers to override Congressional spending while attempting to end birthright citizenship.
The Human Cost: Americans at Risk
Behind these statistics are real Americans whose lives depend on programs built over decades of democratic progress. The coordinated assault targets the most vulnerable while protecting billionaire tax cuts and corporate interests.
73 Million Seniors
Social Security beneficiaries facing service cuts, benefit clawbacks, and office closures. Many must travel over 100 miles for help.
90 Million Healthcare
66M Medicare + 24M ACA beneficiaries face automatic cuts, premium increases, and reduced coverage access.
500K Workers
Jobs eliminated by tariff policies while middle-class families face $22,000 lifetime income losses.
330M Citizens
All Americans affected by democratic decay as institutions are captured and norms systematically violated.
The Pattern: Coordinated Attack on Post-War Achievements
These aren't isolated policies but a coordinated assault on the institutions and values that emerged from America's World War II victory over fascism. Each attack reinforces the others in a systematic transformation away from democratic governance.
Social Safety Net Destruction
Social Security and Medicare cuts free up money for billionaire tax cuts while abandoning elderly Americans to poverty and medical bankruptcy.
International Isolation
Tariffs against allies destroy the post-war economic architecture that institutionalized American leadership for 80 years.
Constitutional Crisis
Executive overreach and democratic norm violations eliminate checks and balances, enabling authoritarian rule without legal constraints.
Oligarchic Capture
Policies consistently benefit billionaire donors while imposing costs on working Americans, creating a government of, by, and for the wealthy.
Public Opposition vs. Elite Indifference
Massive public opposition to these policies reveals the gap between democratic will and authoritarian implementation. The administration ignores overwhelming bipartisan opposition while pursuing an agenda that serves billionaire interests.
The Crossroads: America's Defining Choice
As democracy scores plummet and international observers warn of autocratization, Americans confront a defining question: Will the values that emerged from defeating fascism abroad now fall to authoritarian impulses at home?
The 56% expressing concern about democracy's health understand intuitively what scholars state explicitly—the American Way itself hangs in the balance. History will judge whether the generation that inherited democracy's blessings proved worthy custodians, or whether the American experiment fell victim to the very impulses it once defeated.