Unwrap Your Fortune Cookie: Bingo – Democracy!!!

As we approach November 5th, the fate of our democracy seems to rest precariously on the shoulders of just one political party. This is an unsettling reality we face, where the belief that a single party must succeed to preserve our nation's core values reveals an underlying crisis. While we may, out of necessity, support that party in the short term, we must also ask: What happens after November 5th? How do we ensure that democracy survives not just on one day, but every day thereafter?

Someone recently told me that running for office as a Black, gay immigrant in New York means I am putting my faith in the power of progressive ideas — and in the belief that people will see beyond our differences to build a fairer, more just society. But democracy cannot hinge on one party winning an election. If we are truly a democracy, then that party must be open to challenge and accountability, even from within. When a party prevents challengers from calling out those who are not working for the people, it’s not democracy. It becomes stagnation.

In New York, we see a political system that goes beyond Republican versus Democrat. It’s not just about partisanship — it’s IN versus OUT. The insiders, comfortable and often unchallenged, versus those on the outside who want to push for meaningful change. What we need are more courageous individuals who are willing to stand up for what is right, even if it means going against their own party. Liz Cheney’s decision to put country before party is a recent example of this, where moral conviction outweighed partisan loyalty. More of us need to embody that kind of courage.

The platform we must build after November 5th must extend beyond identity politics. Identity matters, yes, but it is the policies that truly uplift communities that should define us. We need to fight for housing affordability, quality education, accessible healthcare, and a sustainable future for all Americans. These are the issues that resonate across every demographic, and these are the issues that will carry us forward.

If we want our democracy to survive, we need more than one party. We need a political system that encourages bold ideas and brave leaders. We need a system that values progress over party loyalty, justice over political expedience, and inclusivity over exclusion. It is in this balance — this delicate, courageous balance — that our democracy will thrive.

Make a plan to vote on November 5th—our democracy hangs in the balance.