Thoughts from the Middle

American Democracy and Freedom:  A Gift that Requires Much Work  Part 2

By Robert Fischer

Introduction

An earlier post discussed the origins of American democracy and the vision of our founding fathers.  The article ended with Keeping the American Democracy Alive.  The following are questions and conclusions presented in that ending:

• While we still live in a country that values democracy, we must also face the fact that there is much social unrest and disagreement over what the United States stands for. 
• Are we the land of opportunity? 
• Do we welcome the poor and huddled masses? 
• Are we participating in our government by at least casting a ballot? 
• Are we educating our youth regarding the foundation and operation of our government?
• Do we teach American values through history? 
• Do we still teach about American heroes? 
• I believe that we have come to a point of self-analysis. 
• Many Americans only see the problems and missteps that our government has made over the course of its existence
• It is important to be critical of the way the Native Americans and the Chinese were and are treated. 
• It is important to remember, not forget, our heritage of slavery and the problems that are still present among black citizens. 
• We should not forget that there have been many Americans who failed in their duty to protect democracy.  Think about Watergate, the My Lai massacre, Abu Grab, and other misdeeds.
• We must also not present our nation as somehow failing.  We must regain our pride in being Americans. 
• We must continue to work to fix our flaws.
• We should also honor the people who sacrificed to make this nation great. 
• We must learn to debate and find solutions to our differences.  Polarization (far left or right) only leads to a path of self-destruction.
• We must remember that despite President Trump’s decisions over the past four years, the United States can still be a world leader and should be a role model.  
• We must take pride in this leadership role and continue to evaluate our behavior on the world stage!

The Challenge

A great deal has transpired since writing the above.  The pandemic continues to surge. The 2020 election occurred and for the first time in our history, an American President has refused to accept the results.  Instead he worked to convince his followers that the election was stolen.  As a result, many gathered in Washington, D.C. on January 6 in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying the results of that election.  The attack on the Capitol is a image that most Americans never want to see again. 

Despite the attack, Joe Biden was certified as the winner and inaugurated as President.  President Biden has set out to be a different type of President than Donald Trump.  During his first 65 days in office, Biden and his administration has tackled the pandemic through a strong program of vaccination, and passed a massive 1.9 trillion dollar relief package to assist in pandemic recovery. 

However, despite the change in leadership, the animosity among Americans has not lessened.  Many Trump followers still believe that the election was stolen.  A survey reports that 49% of Republican men are opposed to taking the COVID shot. Two mass shootings have occurred, and party lines continue to divide the political theater into 2 camps.  Immigration has become a political “hot potato.” 

What can you do about it? 

Largess

With the election behind us, politicians continue to bicker over the above issues.  However,  much of the electorate has become silent and disinterested.  Perhaps they are victims of too much political rhetoric leading up to the election.  Maybe they are content with the election results and are now complacent.  Or some are upset with a “corrupt” system and just don’t believe that there is anything they can do.  These attitudes are concerning. 

Democracies, if they are to survive, need an engaged public!  If the government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, the people must be engaged! What we seem to have forgotten is the simple fact that we are the government.  “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessing of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The 10^th Amendment to the Constitution states,  “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” “We the People” are the government,  

As a citizen, people are subject to government jurisdiction. For example, as persons (people), we have the right to own a gun.  However, the government may set limits on gun ownership, subject to definition and regulation.  As another example, a person has the right to travel.  However, as a citizen that same person may not travel by automobile unless licensed to drive. 

Still, the regulation of citizens is by the government.  Who is the government?  It is us! 

Considering the shootings in Georgia, Colorado, and Virginia, a major issue continues to be gun legislation.  Our youth, as a result of Sandy Hook, are doing what the Founding Fathers believed was their duty.  They are speaking out about gun legislation and will, as they become of age, vote according to their views.  Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of Americans, regardless of political party, support some type of legislation to ensure safe gun use.  This might include universal background checks, strict training standards for gun ownership, and/ or banning certain types of weapons or accessories.  If all of these people, young to old, vote according to their views, their goals could be realized.

We the People need to take control again. Know how your representatives and senators vote on issues like gun control.   VOTE!! And in addition, call/email/write letters to your legislators regarding your stand on this issue and other issues that are important to you! A constituent is more likely to receive a response when phone calls are followed up with an email, letter or text.