28. "Can America Last?" with Lt. Gov Denny Heck and JMC President Hans Zeiger

Can America last?As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Americans find themselves asking difficult questions. Is this a time for celebration or reflection? Is democracy stronger than ever, or more fragile than we realize? And what responsibility does each generation have to preserve the republic?In this special episode of The Informed Citizen, host Dr. Philip Lindholm travels to the Washington State Capitol for an in-depth conversation with Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck and Jack Miller Center President Hans Zeiger. Together, they explore the founding ideals of America, the growing crisis of civic education, political polarization, social media, public trust, and why they believe the future of American democracy depends on informed citizens rather than politicians alone.This isn't a partisan conversation. It's a thoughtful discussion about what it means to be an American in 2026, why the Declaration of Independence still matters, and how we can disagree without becoming enemies.Episode Highlights• Why America's 250th birthday should be both a celebration and an honest reflection• The revolutionary meaning behind "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"• Is American democracy actually at risk?• Why every generation must "re-earn" democracy• The growing crisis in civic education and why schools should teach citizenship—not just careers• How social media algorithms profit from outrage and deepen political division• Why "you can’t love America if you hate half of Americans"• The forgotten meaning of E Pluribus Unum• Why compromise isn't weakness—it's the foundation of constitutional government• What George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan still teach us today• What the Founding Fathers would think if they visited America in 2026• How the definition of being an American has evolved over the past 250 years• Why Congress—and civic institutions—must be revitalized before trust can be restoredAbout the GuestsDenny Heck serves as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Washington State and chairs the United States Semi-Quincentennial Commission. He has served as a Washington State legislator, House Majority Leader, Chief of Staff to Governor Booth Gardner, U.S. Congressman, co-founder of TVW, and a leading advocate for civic renewal through Washington's Project on Civic Health.Hans Zeiger is President of the Jack Miller Center, one of America's leading organizations dedicated to advancing civic education. A former Washington State Senator, State Representative, and Pierce County Councilmember, Hans is also an author, historian, and former Air National Guard member.Why This Conversation MattersAmerica's founders understood something many of us have forgotten: self-government only survives if citizens are prepared to sustain it.Whether you're concerned about political polarization, declining trust in institutions, civic education, constitutional government, or the future of American democracy, this conversation offers hope—and practical ideas for rebuilding a healthier civic culture.Listen & SubscribeSpotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-informed-citizenApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-informed-citizen/id1738680188YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheInformedCitizenPodcastConnect with Dr. Philip LindholmWebsite: https://theinformedcitizen.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drphiliplindholm/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drphiliplindholmCreditsProduced by The Informed CitizenHost: Dr. Philip LindholmMusic: 'This Party Bussin' by Sound and VisionSEO KeywordsAmerica 250, America's 250th Birthday, Semiquincentennial, Denny Heck interview, Hans Zeiger interview, Philip Lindholm podcast, The Informed Citizen, American democracy, civic education, Constitution, Declaration of Independence, life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, political polarization, George Washington