America 250: Facing attacks on the American Dream, LCV envisions a brighter future

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, we are at an inflection point in our nation’s history. This country was built on the principles of free and fair elections, checks and balances, an independent judiciary, and the right to organize. These values remain central to who we are, and to our mission at LCV.

For 250 years, we have fought to protect our freedoms and make our country a better place. But today, these values and the progress they helped achieve are under attack. 

In the last 18 months, MAGA Republicans have:

We all want the next 250 years in this country to be better, not worse. Here at LCV, we won’t stand by and let the Trump administration take us backwards.

LCV envisions a future that lives up to our American values, one where:

The American Dream is under attack… and corporate interests are benefitting

We are all struggling under the Trump administration. Along with skyrocketing costs and attacks on our communities, the administration is trampling the very values that make us who we are. Corporations, however, have seriously benefitted from this administration’s policies.

Voting rights

Democracy and the right to vote are core American values. When democracy is strong, voters have the power to choose leaders who will fight to protect their values and best interests. However, for many people, access to voting isn’t a given.

Across the country, policies have been put in place that intentionally make it difficult for voters (particularly in Black, brown, and Indigenous communities) to cast their ballot. We see voter suppression show up in a variety of ways, including:

• Discriminatory voting maps that weaken the voting power of certain communities;
• Requiring voters to show documents that are hard (and expensive) to get; and
• Voter intimidation tactics to discourage voters from casting their ballots.

Trump, the MAGA Supreme Court, and Republicans in Congress are making things worse. They have tried to jam through several voter suppression bills and ban or roll back mail-in voting. They have also paved the way for racially discriminatory redistricting.

These attacks disproportionately impact communities of color, low-income communities, women, and LGBTQ+ people. And it is no coincidence that these are the same communities most impacted by the climate crisis. Because they have been stripped of much of their voting power, it’s harder for the people harmed most by Big Polluters to hold them accountable.

Protections for public lands

America’s public lands are another core aspect of our nation’s identity. From picnics to family hikes to summer road trips, our public lands have provided the backdrop for millions of treasured experiences and memories. They are also critical to protecting clean air and water, as well as irreplaceable ecosystems and wildlife.

People across the country overwhelmingly support protecting public lands. Despite this, Trump and congressional Republicans have launched relentless attacks on these treasured spaces, including:

• Gutting land management agencies and their staff;
• Repealing protections for millions of acres of lands and waters; and
• Selling off lands to corporate polluters for toxic oil and gas drilling.

These actions prioritize corporate interests over our right to enjoy public spaces, clean air and water, and a healthy climate. At the same time, the Trump administration is rolling back protections from pollution and standards that make polluters pay. Handing over control of public lands to corporate polluters to drill and mine while weakening environmental protections will help increase their profits. They’ll get richer at our expense, and the health of our communities and environment will suffer.

LCV’s vision for the future

That all sounds pretty dark, we know. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way.

In the next 250 years, we can have a healthy, prosperous and equitable America. We can protect people and the planet for all of us now and for generations to come. We can ensure all voices are heard. And we can hold our elected leaders and corporate interests accountable.

At LCV, we aim to build a future where: 

How you can help LCV build a brighter future

You can help us achieve our goals. Here’s how:

• Stay informed: Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, Threads) and share our work with your friends.
• Get involved: Take an online action and stay up to date with our advocacy.
• Call your member of Congress: Tell them to:
  • Keep public lands in public hands.
  • Support the John Lewis VRA to restore protections for voting.
  • Support the Energy Bills Relief Act to improve access to clean energy and lower energy bills.