Over the last few days, I’ve really began thinking about what democracy means to me. When I really thought about it the answer was complex, and to really explain my thoughts I would have to ramble on for days. But with that, I challenge each of you to ask yourselves what democracy means to you. Democracy is far more than an idea, or a system of government. Democracy is what makes America great. Absolute rule of the people, or at least through the collective voice of an elected representative, allows us all to be free from intrusion in our daily lives, it allows us to work where we want, it also allows us to join a union and demand fair wages. All because it is the will of the people for which the democracy lives.
This was the goal of the founders and the reason for their careful debate prior to crafting the nations founding documents. The Constitution was constructed to provide the framework for their visionary land. Eventually the groundwork was laid, and up sprang the greatest nation in the world. Of course, their were a few omissions, and those have been cleared up over time through the Bill of Rights and the other Amendments.
At times in our country’s history, however, their has been blatant disregard for our Constitution and the careful planning put in by the Founders. It is these times that I believe it is up to “We the People” to respond by using the power of democracy. I also believe that the time to stand up and shout is now. The truth is simple: This country was founded for the people, by the people to create a land ruled by the people. Not a bunch of elites in an oligarchy.
In the last 30 years, we have seen deregulation have serious consequences. The Citizens United case made matters worse by again allowing corporate money to flood elections. So in essence, what we have is a small amount of elites that control the banks, the media, and energy. When there are few people controlling all of these things, what do you think happens? In the media, we get what we have today. Crap. News with little substance. Little competition for television. etc. In the financial sector, its obvious. They control all of the money. FOR EVERYTHING. They also decide to get together and do things like trade CDO’s and CDS’s which then lead to things like the current financial meltdown we are still feeling. Energy? Hmm…Im sure you remember $4 gas right? To top it all off, when all of these guys get together and start throwing their corporate billions around on politics it distorts reality. Arent some of you tired of watching the lies from some in the media? Or those on Wall Street? Arent you tired of hearing speculation about oil prices, and then watching as billions a year are handed out in subsidies?
The time has come for all of us to put a stop to all of this. Look to The Jasmine Revolution for inspiration. They realize the importance of a true democracy, but it has come only after 30 years of authoritarian rule. While we are not in such desperate situations yet, the fact is that behind the scenes, influence and corruption run rampant and they do an injustice to democracy. This country is for the middle class, not for the elite who think they know better. Make your voice heard by participating in politics. Think about what democracy really means to you. Call in to a talk radio show. Go to a town hall meeting. Write you congressperson. Do something!