BuzzFlash presents Southern Style
by Rebecca Knight

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The Principles of Democracy

Southern Style
by Rebecca Knight

"When illusions are dispelled, when misconceptions are rectified, and when those who guide are consecrated to truth and duty, the ark of the people's safety will still be discerned in the keeping of those who hold fast to the principles of true democracy. These principles are not uncertain nor doubtful...They comprise: Equal and exact justice to all men; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations-entangling alliance with none; the support of the state governments in all their rights; the preservation of the general government in its whole constitutional vigor; a jealous care of the right of election by the people; absolute acquiescence in the decisions of the majority; the supremacy of the civil over the military authority; economy in the public expenses; the honest payment of our debts and sacred preservation of the public faith; the encouragement of agriculture, and commerce as its handmaid, and freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and freedom of the person."

Grover Cleveland – January 8, 1891

* * *

"Too many people expect wonders from democracy, when the most wonderful thing of all is just having it."

Walter Winchell

* * *

Have American citizens, rich in freedoms, become complacent in understanding the true value of our governmental system? Have we taken for granted the precious freedoms established in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights? Have we forgotten the mighty struggles of our founding fathers? Have elected officials forgotten that in our representative democracy they actually work for us? These and many other questions should be reflected upon in these times.

* * *

"Our Constitution is in actual operation. Everything appears to promise that it will last. But in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes."

Benjamin Franklin

* * *

Democracy is not easy. In fact, it is quite complex and filled with contradictions. It requires that its citizens remain steadfast in their dedication to make it work. Democracy is designed for accountability, not efficiency. It is an evolving project, changing as the times demand. However, the underlying principles must never be forgotten or ignored. If that time ever arrives our democracy will be lost. That is our charge as citizens. That is why we must be ever alert to actions taken by our leaders. Our democracy is only as strong as we make it. We must not allow the slightest infringement upon the core principles of our democracy.

In a representative government the leader is accountable to the electorate. It is the duty of the government and the leaders to act in compliance with the Constitution and the law. When governmental leaders propose legislation that denies the basic principles on which this nation was founded, they have failed to protect the very essence of our American democracy.

* * *

"As the custodians of a government empowered to represent their interests, the citizens of a democracy must face the world as adults – not like children sitting in a Sunday school or watching some big patriotic movie. What should stir public outrage – and what does, despite TV – is the subversion of democracy; and when that crime does not work anybody up, and only then, it will be time to call it quits."

Mark Crispin Miller – "The Bush Dyslexicon"

* * *

These are perilous times for our beloved United States of America. In the context of history, perhaps not the most perilous our citizens have faced, but deeply perilous nonetheless. We must face the realities of world events and our government's impact upon them. We must study and comprehend the actions taken by the current administration as if our very lives depended upon it. For, indeed, our lives do depend upon it. September 11, 2001 taught us that lesson well.

* * *

"We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we remember that we are not descended from fearful men, not from men who feared to write, to speak, to associate and to defend causes which were, for the moment, unpopular."

Edward R. Murrow

* * *

The Bush administration has our country standing at the brink of war. The debate has become quite heated and the question remains: for what purpose? We citizens have a duty and an obligation to understand why. And, yes, we have a right to question without being labeled "anti-American" or "traitorous" or "sympathetic to the enemy." The questioning of leaders is a fundamental aspect of the very existence of this nation.

This is not to advocate open defiance of the laws that govern this land. However, the rule of law is quite different from the rule by law. The rule of law ensures a system governed by openness, security, and accountability so that citizens may trust their institutions.

* * *

"But could not our situation be compared to one of a menacing epidemic? People are unable to view this situation in its true light, for their eyes are blinded by passion. General fear and anxiety create hatred and aggressiveness. The adaptation to warlike aims and activities has corrupted the mentality of man; as a result, intelligent, objective and humane thinking has hardly any effect and is even suspected and persecuted as unpatriotic."

Dr. Albert Einstein – "The Menace of Mass Destruction"

* * *

Responses by the Bush administration to current worldwide events are causing unprecedented disapproving reactions. When millions of people around the world peacefully demonstrate in opposition to actions of war proposed by an American president, it is his duty to take notice. Notice Bush did. However, his response was one of dismissive arrogance.

Is this what best represents the ideals of democracy? Isn't it incumbent upon the leader of the most powerful nation on earth to at least consider alternatives to war? Pleas for reason and patience are falling on deaf ears. Rather than use our nation's vast financial, technological, diplomatic, and military resources to pursue peaceful alternatives, the Bush administration plows headstrong into pushing the UN Security Counsel for approval of their warring goals.

* * *

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence—it is a force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."

George Washington

* * *

Irresponsible. Yes, the Bush administration is behaving very irresponsibly when it seeks to spy upon members of the UN Security Counsel by implementing an aggressive surveillance operation on their home and office telephones and their e-mails.

http://www.observer.co.uk/iraq/story/0,12239,905936,00.html

Irresponsible. Yes, the Bush administration is behaving very irresponsibly as it goes around the world offering nations billions of dollars in U.S. taxpayers' money to coerce them into voting in favor of the push for war or for use of their land as a military staging base against Iraq.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story
& u=/nm/20030215/ts_nm/iraq_usa_turkey_dc_4

* * *

"When we see the extravagance of public expenditure fast reaching the point of reckless waste, and the undeserved distribution of public money debauching its recipients, and by pernicious example threatening the destruction of the love of frugality among our people we will remember that economy in the public expense is an important article in the true democratic faith."

Grover Cleveland – January 8, 1891

* * *

Irresponsible. Yes, the Bush administration's budget proposals are quite irresponsible. Historically, previous administrations have raised taxes during a time of war to cover the expense. Not Bush. No, he wants to cut taxes again for the benefit of the wealthy. How does he propose to pay for this? Does he fund the war in his budget? No. Does he fund the rebuilding of Iraq or the expense of occupation while a democratic government is installed? No.

However, he has cut many vital programs to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Read about the Bush Credibility Gap here:

http://www.house.gov/appropriations_democrats/caughtonfilm.htm

* * *

"When 'the laws' are used 'to make the rich richer and the potent more powerful, the humble members of society – the farmers, mechanics, and laborers – who have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to complain of the injustice of their government.'"

Andrew Jackson – 1832

* * *

The Bush administration and Congress is failing several principles of democracy: equal and exact justice to all men, peace, honest friendship with all nations-entangling alliance with none, the preservation of the general government in its whole constitutional vigor, a jealous care of the right of election by the people, economy in the public expenses, the honest payment of our debts, sacred preservation of the public faith, and freedom of the person.

* * *

"We need to realize that the United States has been transformed – before our very eyes – into an outright plutocracy. The likes of Jefferson and Madison would never recognize this land of ours, whose major media serve only multinational corporations, and where the will of the majority no longer matters. It is a grim and painful situation; and yet we cannot rectify it until we've looked at it unflinchingly, just as Jefferson and Madison would do – and as the talking heads today will not."

Mark Crispin Miller – "The Bush Dyslexicon"

* * *

The challenge before American citizens is what to do about our current predicament. We know that our beloved nation is headed in the wrong direction. We speak out, but apparently no one listens.

* * *

"A little rebellion now and then is a good thing."

Thomas Jefferson

* * *

Our democracy demands that we draw strength and determination in the face of this assault by a wrong-headed administration. This is a time for ideological debate. This is a time for citizens to engage in public discourse in unprecedented numbers. Public policy does not always have to get worse. It can create many good things.

* * *

"...let us look for guidance to the principles of true democracy, which are enduring because they are right, invincible because they are just."

Grover Cleveland – January 8, 1891