Let Canada Fix the United States of America!

Fixing America: 10 Bold Reforms to Heal a Broken Democracy

By Allan W. Janssen | Allan's Canadian Perspective

It’s no secret that America is struggling to recover from the political and institutional chaos of the Trump era. But Donald Trump didn’t cause this crisis alone—he simply exposed the cracks that were already there: money in politics, broken representation, rampant misinformation, and growing inequality. If the United States wants to reclaim its promise, it needs a bold, comprehensive roadmap to repair the damage and reimagine a more resilient democracy.

1. Restore the Rule of Law and Institutional Integrity

• Hold bad actors accountable: Prosecute proven crimes—no more immunity for elites.
• Protect the DOJ and courts: Shield the justice system from political interference.

2. Overturn Citizens United and End Dark Money

• Reverse the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United decision, which allowed unlimited corporate money to flood the political system under the guise of “free speech.”
• Enact full campaign finance reform, including real-time transparency and strict donation limits.

3. Eliminate Lobbyist Control and Legalized Bribery

• Ban corporate PACs and lobbying by former officials, especially ex-members of Congress and cabinet members.
• Institute lifetime bans on lobbying for federal regulators and senior government advisors.

4. Break the Two-Party Monopoly

• Adopt ranked-choice voting and open primaries to allow third parties to thrive without becoming spoilers.
• Support fusion voting to allow coalition-building across ideological lines.

5. Deliver Universal Healthcare

• Implement Medicare-for-All or a public option to guarantee healthcare as a human right.
• Lower prescription drug prices by giving the government negotiating power.

6. Reform Elections and Representation

• End partisan gerrymandering through independent redistricting commissions.
• Abolish the Electoral College and shift to a national popular vote.
• Grant statehood to DC and Puerto Rico to fix representation disparities.

7. Make Voting Easy and Universal

• Automatic voter registration and national vote-by-mail systems.
• Election Day as a national holiday to ensure everyone can participate.

8. End Political Polarization with Civic Renewal

• Invest in civic education to fight disinformation and empower critical thinking.
• Create a national public service program for youth to serve and learn together across political lines.

9. Tackle Economic Inequality

• Raise the minimum wage and protect labor unions.
• Tax wealth fairly by closing loopholes and implementing a billionaire tax.

10. Rebuild Global Credibility Through Values

• Rejoin international agreements like the Paris Climate Accord.
• Lead with diplomacy and democracy, not brute force or autocratic alliances.

Conclusion: The Time for Boldness is Now

This isn't about politics anymore—it's about democracy itself. If America wants to survive and thrive, it must overhaul the systems that led it to the brink. The Trump era wasn’t a fluke—it was a symptom. But symptoms can be treated, systems can be reformed, and a better future can still be written.

Let’s not waste the warning.

Published on Allan’s Canadian Perspective. For more essays on politics, democracy, and reform, subscribe to the blog or follow Allan on social media.