Ripe for change: We have prime opportunity now to protect American democracy

The insurrection on Capitol Hill has been a tremendous wake-up call.

Anybody who has paid attention to politics in recent years has worried about the straining of "our bonds of affection" in our United States. While billions of dollars go toward partisan warfare and division each year — both electoral and advocacy — little funding is invested in civic peace initiatives.

I'm part of a group of efforts called the "bridging community," working to restore our bonds of affection. I recently heard from a colleague that key funders, even before...