We live in a democratic republic that too many do not
understand. A democratic republic in
which too many want another civil war, as though that will fix what they believe
ails this country. People run for office, enlist in the military, work at the
polls, and vote; and some do so with a simplistic (or no) knowledge of the
Preamble, The Constitution, The Bill of rights and remaining 17 Amendments.
Idiots!
Before people choose to fight for something and possibly die
or kill for something shouldn’t they understand what it is for which they would
give their live and even more critical… possibly take the lives of others? Shouldn’t they understand it well enough,
deeply enough to make the ultimate sacrifice?
Because if they are doing it ‘just because they were told’ and don’t
understand the awesomeness and depth and beauty of what they are defending then
they are just pawns of those in power.
Driven by words like patriotism, and America.
But patriotism to what?
Every country has patriots – even countries we find ourselves at
odds. So what is a patriot? Oh well some will say “I’m an American Patriot”. OK sounds better but then as what is your
view of America? See for me it is the
Preamble, The Constitution, the 27 Amendments. For me THAT is my America, and it
should stand for every person regardless of color, religious belief,
socio-economic standing, gender etc. For
me America isn’t “Mayberry RFD” or “Happy Days” … it is what created this
country as the founding fathers envisioned it within the context of their times. It is defined by The Constitution, and the subsequent
rules of law based off the Constitution through rules of Law created by our 3
branches of government.
But too many people – some even in Congress – have no
knowledge of these fundamental documents.
Some even are only vaguely aware of the offices they hold. What they were created to do and represent…
their constituency. The irony here is
who is to blame for this state of affairs?
The voters
Start talking about The Constitution, its Preamble, each of
it Articles and then the Amendments. Ask them about their State Constitution
and in too many instances they only have vague assumptions and ideas. Too many
of them propagate their inept knowledge – or get it - through media (biased on
both sides) or worse through social media where they get their knowledge in
sound bites from people the don’t know but figure they must be right… because
it ‘sounds right’.
We have been told our vote is the most important thing in the democratic
process, and this is true. It is true
when it is wielded by an informed populous. A populous educated in:
·
The Constitution of the United States
·
The Constitution of the State in which they
reside
·
Understanding the branches of government State
and Federal
·
How laws are passed – both state and federal
·
And that all of these are designed to NOT BE
STATIC but through proper governance evolve to meet the demand of our times as
it changes economically, globally and socially.
We no longer teach Civics. This is not a liberal plot nor a
Republican plot because the slow erosion of civics has happened over decades
and under the control and auspices of each party. And instead of looking to why it is gone,
let's put aside blame and any anger and instead focus on who to get it back. To
educate the future on what the Constitution and Government should be doing
versus the political sideshow too many elected uses if for. I often wonder how many of those elected to
office could pass the citizenship exam we give to those coming into this glorious
country.
Bringing back civics will increase the number of voters who are aware of what
their local government should be doing for them. It will increase their awareness and
knowledge of what the State Government should be doing, and they can vote for those
who best represent them and their community.
Hopefully it will expand the voter’s power by expanding the voter’s scope
as well. That we must never vote for
someone because they support one thing, we believe in but that they REPRESENT the
MAJORITY of things in which we believe and wish for our community, state and
nation.
There is an interesting book out by the actor turned author Richard Dreyfus “One
Thought Scares Me”.
You may not agree with it all, but it focuses on teaching civics again and
making our votes more effective because we will know what our vote is for and
the true power of our vote… to elect those who would best represent us AND the
country… and maybe inspire those who can pass the citizenship exam and
understand State and Federal Constitution and Laws to run for office.
Now that bloodless civil war is one, I can get behind.
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