In the winter of 1790, Supreme Court Justice James Wilson, Constitutional framer and architect of the separation of powers, delivered his inaugural law lecture on the Pennsylvania Constitution. His audience included many of our nation’s founding fathers. He singled out one clause as the “original fountain” of democracy: free and equal elections. Without fairness, Wilson warned, the well is poisoned, spoiling all aspects of government.

That warning feels prophetic today. The absence of free and equal elections has fueled polarization, entrenched party leadership, and left voters powerless to hold officials accountable. Gerrymandering, once a representational issue every 10 years, has become a perpetual war. It silences voices, protects incumbents, and corrodes trust in government.

The incentives to put party before country, donors before constituents, and division before unity are clear. The result is a political class with job security but no accountability, serving the 1%, while our economy, world standing and civility suffer.

There is, however, a way to achieve Wilson’s vision, thanks to an innovative concept - a modern, free, and equal system that allows voters to nominate representatives without having to change the law. Through an app, constituents can filter and endorse potential nominees in a multi-round elimination contest. Candidates advance only by winning real support, not by courting donors or political insiders.

The winners challenge incumbents in general elections. The process inherently follows campaign finance rules and runs through a unique political party. The party has no ideology, only a mission to deliver a fair process where every voice matters. To stay balanced, it fields an equal number of candidates in blue and red strongholds. The goal is not to flip Congress, but to restore accountability through competition. 

This free and equal nominating system is already taking shape, with demos on social media and a roadmap for 2026.

Grassroots support is now needed to scale the platform. Unlike making another donation that perpetuates our broken system, contributions here build a permanent asset for our democracy.

Wilson knew a stable Republic depends on a pristine fountain. Today, gerrymandering and money are contaminating it beyond recognition. Unless we establish a truly free and equal system, the poisoned well may spoil democracy beyond repair.