The Message citizens don't want to hear

by Richard L. Weaver II

There is no doubt that a democratic government exists to serve the people and democracies grant many freedoms to their citizens, but when you talk to some people it seems they like the rights they are given but, somehow, tend to downplay or not mention at all, the responsibilities. When you recognize the time and hard work involved in being part of a democracy, however, it is no wonder that the responsibilities often go unvoiced.

Much of the information in this essay comes from a web site, “Principles of Democracy,” and an essay there, Citizen Responsibilities, sponsored by International Information Programs.

Some of the responsibilities of citizens of democracies are clear simply because we face them on a regular basis. For example, respecting the law, paying taxes, accepting the authority of the elected government, and respecting those who have points of view that differ from our own, are some of these. These are clarified, obviously, when we see law enforcement officers, receive the tax forms from the government, see and hear our elected officials in action, and enter a discussion with someone from an opposing political party.

Many people take the democracy we live in for granted. That is, they seldom give it a second thought. Why? Because they were born and raised under its banner. They didn’t choose it; it was always there. That is why it is sometimes said that converts make the strongest believers because they choose what they want to believe, and when their choice is made, they give all their heart and soul to their newly held belief. How many people do you know who were born into a democracy and give all their heart and soul to it? Perhaps that’s too much to ask.

That only a few who live in a democracy participate is not new. According to Wikipedia, in Ancient Greece, “Of the 250,000 inhabitants only some 30,000 on average were citizens. Of those 30,000 perhaps 5,000 might regularly attend one or more meetings of the popular Assembly.”

What if elected officials in a democracy suddenly said, “Unless you [citizens] bear the burden of the democracy you live in [in obvious and manifest ways], you will not benefit from the protection of your rights?” Oh, I know it’s preposterous, but can you imagine the ramifications of such a move? Perhaps there would be an explosion of selfless service, volunteerism, joining of political parties, people running for office, letters to the editor by those speaking out on local and national issues, service on juries, joining of labor unions, community groups, and business associations, joining of the military, and an upheaval of those dissenting and criticizing their government — especially raising objections to such an absurd requirement.

If there was one, single, individual requirement I would make for all those who live in a democratic society, it would be to be informed. True democracy demands it. In August, 2008, Bill Maher said to Larry King (and has repeated several times since), “I often think they [Americans] are too dumb to be governed.” Having lived in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) for one year of my life, I contend that there are a number of societies in the world that cannot, and are unlikely to ever be, true democracies — much to the chagrin of some in government. The simple fact is that democracies require an informed populace. An interesting question, of course, is, “How fast are we in the U.S. moving in that direction?” Or, are we already there? It’s a question worth pondering.

The problem is that democracies require more than just an occasional vote from its citizens to remain healthy. It may well be that the lack of steady attention, time, and commitment from many people has resulted in where we are today and what we have. I’m not saying that it did, but I would contend that with greater information, more informed (and perhaps better) choices would and could be made. No election should turn on one or two issues alone.

“The number one job of a citizen is voting in elections,” it says at “What is a citizen’s job? This essay continues, “Voting is the best check we have against tyranny in the government and incompetent politicians. If your Congressman is supporting abortion and you do not like it, vote him out. If your Senator wants to increase the power of the I.R.S. and you do not agree, vote him out. If the president cannot keep his pants on, and you do not think it is appropriate, vote him out. In the end it is the vote that makes politicians accountable. And, if you want to vote, the first thing to do is register. Today, this can even be done on-line through the American Voters Coalition and through M.T.V.’s Rock the Vote campaign. These two sites are not only a place to register but centers for the next job of a citizen — not just voting, but voting intelligently.”

I thought Wikipedia’s explanation of democracy is not only excellent, but the way this paragraph quoted from that makes the case for the importance of voting supports the point of this essay. “There are several varieties of democracy, some of which provide better representation and more freedoms for their citizens than others. However, if any democracy is not carefully legislated to avoid an uneven distribution of political power with balances such as the separation of powers, then a branch of the system of rule is able to accumulate power in a way that is harmful to democracy itself. The ‘majority rule’ is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without responsible government it is possible for the rights of a minority to be abused by the ‘tyranny of the majority.’ An essential process in representative democracies are competitive elections, that are fair both substantively and procedurally. Furthermore, freedom of political expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are essential so that citizens are informed and able to vote in their personal interests."

Should we vote? Of course. But, also, we should be interested in giving all classes of citizens a full and equal right to vote as well. Federal elections should be national holidays, or, as in many European nations, extend over a weekend, as John Buell explains in his essay, Protecting Democracy in a Lame Duck Congress.

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At the web site of the International Information Programs, in Chapter 12, “Rights of the People,” presents in excellent essay on “The Right to Vote,” which first presents the contents of the 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments to the U.S. Constitution, then presents the entire history and background of this essential and important right. This is an excellent and informative web site.

The web site of Vote Utah, at their “Learning Booth,” they have material on “Citizen Rights” that includes explanations of our freedom of religion, freedom of the speech, freedom of the press, and the right to assemble. Also, they explain the right to petition and additional freedoms as well as the rights of Black Americans and the rights of all Americans. The information is succinct and easy to digest.

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Copyright And Then Some Publishing, LLC 2008