1/ Having come this close to losing our democracy, millions of more people now realize how important it is that we have one - however imperfect and bedraggled it is.

2/ We didn’t come so close to the cliff because of just one man; we came so close because We the People took our eyes off the ball, too many of us allowing the musculature of vital citizenship to whither while we were off doing other things.

3/ It was a painful awakening but a necessary one. As long as we remain alert, as long as we don’t go back to sleep, as long as we refuse to ever again farm out our democracy to those unworthy of our trust, then the future will be much better than the past.

4/ Democracy doesn’t work when it’s citizens become disengaged. Citizenship must become something we consider part of a meaningful and well lived life. So many of this have learned so much. America has been humbled, and in the final analysis that is not a bad thing.

Aye, well said, but don't citizens become disengaged *because* democracy isn't working? Or they engage in other ways, like for instance, by voting for any old half bit clown who appears to offer an alternative or proposes to tear it all down?