The word “democracy” is front of us every day–usually in a political context. But what really is “democracy”? We think the key components are: the ability and desire to self-govern and majority rule. America was founded as a type of knee-jerk reaction to the British tyranny under King George. Our Founding Fathers weren’t sure of what they wanted the American form of government to be but they certainly knew what they didn’t want–an autocracy, rule by one individual. So they hammered out what they called a “democracy”–government of the people, for the people, and by the people. For almost 2 and a half centuries that has worked out pretty well. We are the undisputed leaders of the free world and have the respect– and even the admiration– of many of our allies. In the beginning there were a number of assumptions built into our infant legal system. These assumptions included a degree of integrity, honesty, fair play, respect for the rights of others and a search for common ground leading to workable compromises for all. So what has happened? We think some “leaders” chose to forsake integrity for their own self-interest. Unfortunately, this selfishness evolution comes at a time when global balance is severely challenged. We discovered a long time ago that no country–even one as successful as ours–can be isolated from our planetary neighbors. Each country has a role to play in the grand scheme of things and when any member of the community of nations violates that basic premise–everyone suffers just a little bit. Look around at the threat to Ukraine, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Palestine and potentially others and ask your self “how can we avoid adding to the chaos we see around us”? Democracy is the only way to learn what the majority of citizens want and direct whatever available resources we have to those goals. Freedoms are part and parcel of that scenario but selfishness is the opposite of conforming to the will of the majority. Elections are the most convenient way to measure what people want and it is the sworn (oath) duty of elected “leaders” to honestly represent the people who voted them into office. Anything short of that thread of “democracy” endangers all of us. By helping to preserve democracy anywhere we find it in the world we are supporting a free society concept and a more stable and enjoyable existence for others.
Comments are closed