In his view, democratic values have taken root in China. "Although people don't speak out, they are building a bigger democratic base. Democracy and human rights have become not just a new concept, but a real and common value."
-- Chinese dissident
"The overriding objective was freedom from American apartheid: its violence, its short-circuiting of our dreams whenever and wherever we lifted our eyes to the hills, hopping to behold the full life of the opening skies. ... So voting was not exactly the point, or the way. The big deal today and tomorrow morning: Just this minute and then the next determines whether you or I do whatever we an to stop the injustice, and the tyrannies, surrounding us, and inside our hearts. Right now is the only time we own!"
-- June Jordan, "A Letter To Maria, Young Political Activist," found in Some Of Us Did Not Die.
I am not in the mood to read about Reagan and am somewhat sick of our current President and all the discontents who lash out against him. Anyway, it's all rather limiting to look at presidents and who we shall vote for as this is not ultimately what truly matters. For, though I'm definitely going get my younger brother to vote in his first presidential election this fall, this is not what democracy is truly about. It bodes us well to recall these days that the even if one vote (Supreme Court, local election, or jury booth aside) might not decide an election, a very small amount of votes these days will.
All the same, democracy is more than a vote a few times a year as much as religion is more than an hour spent in church on Sunday or a few holy days. For is parenthood about the special moments alone? Marriage or caring for your parents only important on anniversaries, birthdays, and Mother's or Father's Day? No, anything important rise and falls on the long haul. Democracy is about a public that respects, honors, and lives under a certain code
A public that discusses the issues and feels their opinion counts because it does. They might not see the results directly, but it clearly does. A public that respects things like equality and equal respect, an informed public, even if imperfectly by a bit too much Fox or its liberal equivalents. And, these days, with the Internet and other wonderful if imperfect devices and methods, there are numerous additional ways to glorify in this democracy of ours.
The hell with Dean and his Internet revolution; I was riled up and able to express and share my views to others I would never have the ability to do so on the Slate Fray when he was still a blip in Ben and Jerry country. And to others on chat boards before that, including those who I'm sure would be bored to tears with some of my political musings.
Voting is a special symbolic act, including when it takes place in the jury box, and there are many ways for the average person to affect and speak to their leaders. All the same, the true strength of democracy takes place everyday. I was recently charmed to see people of various ages enjoying myself in a public space recently, the weather not quite as offensive as it is starting to get. Such is democracy at work ... the public together, enjoying themselves, and pleased what the city supplies for them. This is that "democratic base," these are the people who in any number of ways attack the problems of the day, and make this a better nation to live by simple acts that add up to so much.
In our country, these are our true rulers ... the people. "We the People." And in that sense, they are the ultimate politicians. Not that I don't get a little sick of them too at times. After all, who isn't sometimes sick of politicians?