Well folks, the final donut has been devoured, the last coffee poured, and the inaugural Donuts for Democracy discussion series has officially come to a close. And what a ride it was.
Over the past few weeks, a small but mighty band of thinkers, troublemakers, and concerned citizens gathered to discuss the fate of our republic—with sugar and caffeine as our co-pilots. We tackled the hard stuff: the limits of democracy, the promise of republicanism, the murky waters of equity versus equality, and whether the Supreme Court has become less of a bench and more of a black-robed priesthood. (Spoiler: it has.)
These sessions were more than debates—they were living room salons, De Tocqueville-style. And I was the lucky scribe in the corner, notebook in one hand, donut in the other.
Thanks to these spirited gatherings, the paperback edition of The Art of the Compromise is getting a healthy infusion of new insights and revisions. Your questions and pushbacks are shaping the next version. You might even spot a few familiar ideas—and names—in the footnotes.
But perhaps the most exciting news is this: these conversations have sparked a new book project. It’s tentatively titled Rebuilding the Republic for Which We Stand, and yes, it’s probably going to upset people. The core argument? That America needs more republicanism and a little less democracy. Not mob rule, not majority whim, but layered, structured self-governance rooted in civic virtue. Unpopular? Maybe. Necessary? I’d argue yes—and will.
The series also allowed us to explore Gramsci’s long ideological march, the need for a common political language, and the quiet collapse of institutional trust. We didn’t solve everything—but we stirred the pot. And that’s how democracy (and coffee) should work.
Special thanks go to Chris Austin, Andy Andrews, Martin Ammons, and Brian Walker. These gentlemen showed up, spoke up, and lit the intellectual fires. I can’t thank them enough. Our republic needs more groups like this—small, messy, passionate, and rooted in a shared love of country and conversation.
So what’s next?
We’re brewing up another Donuts for Democracy series this summer. Different topics, same format: one hour, one room, one pile of donuts, and many divergent minds. Stay tuned.
Until then—keep reading, keep questioning, and don’t forget: the republic only stands if we keep showing up for it.
With gratitude (and powdered sugar on my keyboard),
David L. Page, Ph.D.
Chief Donut Officer
Donuts for Democracy
Author’s Note:
This post was written with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI model developed by OpenAI, in conversation with the very human David L. Page. The thoughts, tone, and typos are still mine—only the grammar is artificially intelligent.
