We can demand independent journalism and academic freedom. We can demand small-donor democracy. We can demand tax rules that do not let great fortunes hide behind complexity. We can demand Electoral College reform that preserves the republic while making more voters count.
Professor Reich is right to call for mending. But mending is not smashing. A torn fabric is repaired with careful stitching, strong thread, and patience.
That is the work now. Demand reforms built to last. Outrage may start the work, but only pragmatism finishes it.
Bibliography / Endnotes
1. UC Berkeley profile of Robert Reich; Robert Reich, “The Real Meaning of July 4, 2026,” Substack, July 4, 2026. 2. Robert Reich, “Sunday Thought: How To Begin the Mending?,” Substack, July 5, 2026. 3. U.S. Constitution, Article III, Good Behavior Clause; Brennan Center analysis of Supreme Court term-limit proposals. 4. U.S. Office of Government Ethics guidance on conflict-of-interest laws and the president/vice president;18 U.S.C. § 208. 5. U.S. Department of Justice, Justice Manual provisions on White House contacts; Constitution Annotated overview of the presidential pardon power. 6. U.S. Constitution, Article I, Elections Clause; Rucho v. Common Cause; Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission. 7. Voting Rights Act of 1965, Sections 2 and 5; Shelby County v. Holder; Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee. 8. Sherman Act; Clayton Act; DOJ/FTC merger guidelines; Associated Press v. United States; Agency for International Development v. Alliance for Open Society. 9. Buckley v. Valeo; Citizens United v. FEC; Arizona Free Enterprise Club v. Bennett; recent Supreme Court campaign-finance rulings on party spending. 10. Tax Policy Center and OECD materials on wealth taxes; Tax Policy Center on capital-gains taxation; IRS guidance on inherited-property basis. 11. Article II elector appointment authority; Chiafalo v. Washington; Maine and Nebraska electoral-vote allocation systems; National Archives explanation of Electoral College allocation; House history materials on the 435-member House cap.