There is perhaps no term more
used, misunderstood and abused than the word ‘democracy.’
Abraham
Lincoln’s democracy was encapsulated in his quote, “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master.
This expresses my idea of democracy”; while Gandhi said, “The spirit of
democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It
requires change of heart”; and Aristotle is quoted as saying, “If liberty and
equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will
be best attained when all persons alike share in government to the utmost.”
Yet what is democracy? The
dictionary definition
of democracy is simple: “Government by the people.” …
In my opinion, democratic governance in America can be summed up in five
elements…The first element is the mechanism of representative democracy…it is
also essential to have a professional, non-partisan civil service that provide
these services to the people…the third component of American democracy: the
principal of separation of powers…The fourth is the principal of limited
government…none of these principles would have any value if they were not woven
around a nucleus of hard, civil and political rights which, enshrined in the
bill of rights, guarantee the individual within American society certain
“inalienable rights” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joel-d-hirst/the-principles-of-america_b_1397365.html)
As we all prepare to exercise one
of our basic rights, to vote, let’s remember that we are a part of a democracy and
that for it to work and work correctly all parties need to agree to its
validity. There are some troubling things happening – a major party candidate
not willing to pledge to support whatever the outcome of the election is, Senate
leaders pledging to not approve Presidentially appointed justices and judges, etc.
Voting is just a part of our role in a democracy. We also must vote well. We
must hold elected officials accountable. We must call for our elected officials
to do their jobs. And we must expect that participants in the democratic
process will abide by the outcomes.
It is said that the governance of
the USA is an experiment in democracy. Will we continue down the path of
refining and learning while the experiment goes on or will we reach the end of
the experiment, write up the conclusions and move on to another thesis
statement? The key for our system to work is for those elected to understand
themselves as representatives of everyone. They are not representing Democrats
or Republicans, they aren’t representing the Tea Party, they aren’t elected to
do what is best for a certain constituency but for the common good; the good of
our city, region, county, state and nation. They get elected because they
support ideas, options and programs that the majority of those who vote identify
with but we elect them and expect them to “vote their conscience” and not look
to donors or special interests or party but to their inner commitment to do
what is the best thing for all the people. It is this basic understanding that
worked in the past to get things done, even when parties disagreed about it,
they were willing to compromise and find a solution that seemed best for
everyone.
I think a lot of the dissatisfaction
people are feeling toward our elected officials has to do with this breakdown
in fulfilling the role they are elected to. I wish I had a way to legislate or
make this happen but I am not sure how we move things from the contentious and
manipulative present reality into something that truly works for the good of
the nation and its people. What I do know is that voting matters and electing
people who will try to do what they can to get us back on course and caring
more about the common good then about personal wealth, status, or narrow
agendas is a way forward. So, vote and pray and let’s hope that miracles happen
and work to make them become real.
Dear God, help me to put aside my
selfish wants, needs and desire and focus on what is best for all. Be with the
people of my nation as we vote, open our hearts, minds and spirits so that we
can move beyond selfishness and greed. Be with all those elected and give them
hearts to do what must be done for the good of all. Be with those who loose and
help them accept the outcome and do what they can to support those elected.
Amen.
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