Making Democracy Work

Iowans Know How to Keep Democracy Alive - (published Cedar Rapids Gazette, Oct 18, 2026)

I just spent four days in the place I still consider home—Iowa, where democracy is anything but a spectator sport.

With Election Day approaching, campaigns for governor, U.S. Senate and Congress are in full swing. Candidates are making their cases. Volunteers are knocking on doors. Voters are showing up, asking questions and deciding whom they trust. Democracy is in action.

Iowa is a relatively small, largely rural state, but what happens there will matter far beyond its borders. Iowans will help determine who leads their state and the balance of power in Congress.

That reminded me of something easy to forget amid the headlines: American democracy is not simply something happening in Washington. It is happening in statehouses and courthouses, at campaign events and community meetings, and ultimately in the voting booth.

Is the system strained? Absolutely. Is it contentious and frustrating? Certainly.

But irreparably broken? I am not ready to say that.

Our constitutional system was never designed for efficiency. The founders deliberately dispersed power forced institutions to check one another and gave citizens many opportunities to participate.

Democracy is messy by design.

I saw that firsthand years ago working in the Iowa governor’s office. States are often called “laboratories of democracy.” An idea discussed with a school board member at dinner could help shape policy, appear in a governor’s State of the State address, and eventually become law.

That is government close enough to the people to respond.

We still see that process working. Congress enacted the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act after bipartisan negotiations led by Republican Sen. Tim Scott and Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, along with Republican Rep. French Hill and Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters. It passed 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House. In an era of gridlock, that is worth noticing.

Then consider the courts. Presidents test the limits of their authority. Congress asserts—or sometimes fails to assert—its own. States challenge Washington. Citizens challenge government. Judges intervene. Higher courts reverse lower courts.

That friction is not proof democracy has failed. It is part of how constitutional boundaries are established.

And who brings those cases? We do.

Ultimately, we also vote.

I learned that lesson managing a statewide campaign in Iowa in 1986. After the money is raised, ads are produced and calls are made, campaigns eventually surrender control to the voters.

That remains true.

So perhaps the question is not simply, “Is democracy working?” It is, “Are we working hard enough at democracy?”

The ultimate check on our system is us. That means voting, speaking up, serving locally, challenging government, listening to people with whom we disagree and building bridges.

After four days in Iowa, I left more hopeful—not because our divisions are less serious than they appear, but because I was reminded where the real power ultimately resides.

It resides with us.

Listen. Lift others up. Serve. Vote.

Democracy is not something government does for us. It is something we do together.

Susan K. Neely is an Iowa City native and University of Iowa graduate whose more than 40-year career in public policy and politics includes service with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Congressman Jim Leach and President George W. Bush.