We are all part of the human race, Homo sapiens and those of us fortunate enough to live in the U.S.A. are all “Americans”, citizens of the greatest human experiment in the history of the species.
A democracy (demos “people and kratos “rule”) is based on the principles set forth by the Athenian Greeks in the 5th century BCE. It was a government in which the people have the authority to choose their type of governing legislation with the privilege shared among them laid out in constitutional rights including freedom of assembly, speech, inclusiveness, equality, voting for their representatives and unanimous consent in the decisions made in their behalf.
We have come to a crossroads where the power of the citizens to direct the course of their future has become a human dilemma of great consequence where politics and partisanship have divided the existing population into fragments. Each faction is guarding their reality, defending their veracity and protecting their view of what they perceive as the truth even if they question the accuracy of their sources and cohorts. They feel that they have declared their allegiance to their alliances and must support their associates no matter what divisions result.
Certainly, all “sides” are under duress with an all-encompassing fear, anxiety and even panic over the multitude of stresses imploding on today’s society. Individuals within the populace are personally challenged trying to make the right decisions for themselves, their families, colleagues and friends. Thus, the blame for the situation we find ourselves facing is directed toward anyone that does not share our viewpoint, perspective or stance and it appears to be pointless to try to reason or even listen to others who we think have turned on America and have become the enemy.
The only thing that has become clear now, at this point in our 244 year history and what has become so disturbing, is to see the pursuit of power, seeking to gain momentum and leverage over every opponent that differs with another person’s thinking and/or position. No matter what the consequences are to the nation, the destruction to the original concepts that created the Republic and sustained it through numerous challenges, it seems there are no limits or boundaries to the defamation of what made us the democracy that, up until now, people around the world wanted to emulate.
The Founding Fathers were in the same boat after they decided to declare their Independence and they struggled mightily over what the Constitution would or would not include. They sequestered themselves and through all of the debate, considerations, communications, compromises, cooperation, collaboration and final agreements, they produced the most significant document civilization has experienced in governing a people for the benefit of all of its citizens. Was it perfect? No, it had to be amended and adjusted through the high courts due to the necessary changes recognized by the populace that made it better, more equitable and unbiased, but the framework was there, and is still there, with the structure to allow it to survive and prosper.
The only infringement or misapplication of and to the document we strive to protect and project has been thwarted in the past and we must now take this opportunity to look closely at what we, each of us, can do to bring back the civility and respect for one another that it took to create the articles of the confederation. We must now look to each other as fellow Americans to enhance the meaning, purpose and significance of what is right and appropriate to provide an example for those that follow. Resolve to mediate, reconcile and reunite in a singular goal to make this moment in our heritage a positive one that brings us out of the deadlock and into a momentous transformation for a more perfect union.
We are at a crossroads, coming down separate trails but we have a responsibility to end up on the same path, even though we may be carrying divergent wisdoms, that will lead us into new perspectives and with a vision that encourages the next generations to look at their differences as we did in this one.