An educated citizenry is the key to making self-government succeed, as Thomas Jefferson once said. Despite deep divisions on many issues, most Americans agree that their democracy is in crisis or facing serious challenges. Concerns range from international tensions to domestic instability, and a lack of trust in core democratic institutions. Symptoms of this crisis include perceptions of the U.S. as a threat by close allies, immigration enforcement actions that have unsettled communities, and a former president suggesting his own morality limits his power. The Trump administration has been criticized for politicizing the Justice Department, and many of his appointees have refused to accept the 2020 election results. Scholars have drawn parallels to Plato’s warning that a democracy in decline may fall to a tyrant, citing declining trust, dishonest leadership, and a culture of violence as signs of that scenario. A healthy democracy requires informed citizens, a free press, and an engaged public. James Madison, another Founding Father, believed that government should be guided by the "cool and deliberate" judgment of the people. This ideal requires citizens to weigh multiple perspectives before making decisions. However, the modern era is marked by the spread of misinformation and so-called "alternative facts." Only one in five Americans believes that Republicans and Democrats can agree on basic facts. Trust in government and the media has plummeted. Only 17% of Americans trust Washington to do what is right most of the time, the lowest level since 1958. Trust in the media to report "fully, accurately, and fairly" is also at an all-time low, with only 28% expressing significant trust in traditional news outlets. Younger Americans now trust social media as much as they trust national news. This decline in trust extends to fellow citizens, with only 34% believing most people can be trusted. The media plays a crucial role in educating the public and holding power accountable. However, it is currently under threat. Former President Trump has labeled the press the "enemy of the people," and since 2017, over 1,400 incidents of violence against journalists have been reported, many by law enforcement. The Justice Department has also taken steps that critics say could hinder free press by subpoenaing journalists and pressuring them to testify about their work. Meanwhile, local news outlets are closing at an alarming rate, and more people are turning to social media for news, which may worsen political polarization. Ultimately, the government reflects the will of the people, and politicians tend to represent what voters want. As former House Speaker Tip O’Neill said, "All politics is local," meaning that change begins where people live. An informed citizenry is essential for critical thinking and constructive debate. Jefferson believed that education was the "true corrective" to power, and he founded the University of Virginia to ensure that citizens could govern themselves effectively. While education is key, it’s important to define what it means to be educated. College degrees have become a partisan divide in the U.S., with different groups supporting different political parties based on educational background. Over the past 50 years, fewer Republicans in Congress have attended elite universities. Regardless of where someone is educated, the goal should be the ability to distinguish personal beliefs from objective facts. As Abraham Lincoln warned, "Passion has helped us; but can do so no more. It will in future be our enemy."