In his commentary “The Nation of America,” Mr. Jeff Samuels’s states, the people had a purpose to make a difference for our nation and our government. I would have to disagree with his statement. The people have never truly lived up to the intent of what the Framers established as American government. It may also me naïve of us to think that the Founding Fathers of American government had all people in mind when the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights were written; but we will save that for another discussion.
The people, in many instances have let their fellow man and the nation down on several occasions. The people have relinquished their power to beaurocrats and pseudo-politicians who do not always have their best interest at heart. For the one who pays attention, politics is a game where one team wins and the other loses. The game has two big market teams, the Democrats and the Republicans. There are small market teams who begin the season with hope, but never have a chance to win, such as Independents, Libertarians, and the Green Party. Many times “The People” have absolutely no idea what is going because they are much too focused on what it takes to stay sane and support their families.
Mr. Samuels is correct, we have had a number of outstanding presidents who sought to make a difference; however, we have also had large numbers of people who have blindly followed presidents into dangerous areas. My suggestion is to hold the Obama administration to its campaign slogan of change. Every so often, we see the potential of the American people; the 2008 presidential election is one of those times. Maybe it was a glimpse of what “The Nation of America” could be.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Is America a True Democracy!
The Merriam-Webster defines the word plutocracy has government by the wealthy. A plutocracy is a government where there is very little economic equality and a resemblance of a caste system, where social mobility is limited. Some might even say the Framers established a plutocracy not a democracy by only allowing those who were white, wealthy, and landowners to participate at the advent of the United States. As the rich get richer and the poor get poorer in America the question arises, can a democracy and a plutocracy co-exist? Former Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, “We can have a democratic society or we can have the concentration of great wealth in the hands of the few. We cannot have both.”
Thomas Jefferson wrote so eloquently in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The U.S. Constitution also becomes perversely inclusive as the first line states, “We the people of the United States…..”
The idea of America has not always lived up to its promise, as some groups have not always shared the unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In addition, the American government has not always functioned under the auspices of deriving their powers from the consent of the governed – meaning the people. Likewise, the American people have not always lived up to its end of the bargain by participating when the opportunity afforded itself.
Over the past twenty years, two alarming trends have come into focus when evaluating the political canvass in America. The first is learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is a psychological issue that burdens a person into feeling that no matter what they do, they cannot make a difference. Therefore, why vote because my vote does not count. Apathy is the second problem. Apathy is a combination of laziness and emotional withdrawal, or a lack of caring. People do not vote or participate because they just do not care.
If America and the American people are to realize its true potential, we must stop fighting the unseen enemies of Socialism and Marxism and fight the opposition that is staring us right in the face; ourselves and the true American institution of government – Plutocracy!
Thomas Jefferson wrote so eloquently in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The U.S. Constitution also becomes perversely inclusive as the first line states, “We the people of the United States…..”
The idea of America has not always lived up to its promise, as some groups have not always shared the unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In addition, the American government has not always functioned under the auspices of deriving their powers from the consent of the governed – meaning the people. Likewise, the American people have not always lived up to its end of the bargain by participating when the opportunity afforded itself.
Over the past twenty years, two alarming trends have come into focus when evaluating the political canvass in America. The first is learned helplessness. Learned helplessness is a psychological issue that burdens a person into feeling that no matter what they do, they cannot make a difference. Therefore, why vote because my vote does not count. Apathy is the second problem. Apathy is a combination of laziness and emotional withdrawal, or a lack of caring. People do not vote or participate because they just do not care.
If America and the American people are to realize its true potential, we must stop fighting the unseen enemies of Socialism and Marxism and fight the opposition that is staring us right in the face; ourselves and the true American institution of government – Plutocracy!
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