Washington Hotlist » Democracy

Thoughts On Election Day

Steve Levine — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:49:04 +0000

One of the benefits of having lived seven decades is that Iâ€™ve been witness to events that were not only personally thrilling, but that were memorable and historic for our country.

Sixty-one years ago, I saw Jack Roosevelt Robinson become the first black man to walk on big-league grass, and it made me proud not only to be a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, but to be an American.

In all the years since, I’ve been unable to reflect on that powerful moment without suppressing a lump in my throat or wiping a tear from my eye.

Some months ago, I saw Barack Obama claim the nomination of his party as President.
Once again, that lump appeared (and the tear, too) and I again felt enormous pride in my country.

Tonight, I’m looking forward to the next chapter in this stirring American saga and to experiencing that feeling again.

Happy Birthday America

Joshua Rosenstock — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:16:16 +0000

There is not a more appropriate day than July 4th to highlight some of the critical passages of the Declaration of Independence and remember what our founding was originally based on. While not a legally binding document (hence, the Revolutionary War), the Declaration was a powerful statement, an announcement that we were no longer subject to the English crown’s mandates.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…

The above represents two of the most repeated phrases in American political history. “Endowed by their Creator” has long been quoted by advocates as evidence that the United States was formed as a religious country; “life” is cited by anti-abortion groups to further that cause.

“Consent of the governed,” clearly has less meaning now than it did 232 years ago. Today, a more appropriate phrase would be consent from the governors. Public officials today are more servants to the financially-connected than the voters, something specifically warned against in Federalist X. Factions now dominate the public, with new divisions being created daily, while the people have become servants to the unelected capitalists and corporations, the antithesis to a true democratic republic. We have twisted the Founder’s intentions to further the economic interests of the few.

Now, notice some of the reasons why the Founders declared their independence and prepare to become confused (He refers to King George III):

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people…

Sometimes called the fourth branch of government, the administrative state that so dominated the federal legislative process was never envisioned by the Founders. Many of the alphabet soup agencies, created by Roosevelt to help us ease out of the Great Depression was a monumental increase in the size and scope of government, not contained within the corners of the Constitution.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the consent of our legislatures.

This sounds eerily like what our government has done in Iraq. The definition of “times of peace” regarding the status of Iraq pre-March 2003 can be argued to death.

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

Not every trial is by jury in this country either and never has. We have repeatedly contradicted ourselves since our Founding. Those who invoke original intent for every solution should remember what those intentions were.

America the Beautiful: An Essay on Patriotism

Aaron Brazell — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:56:59 +0000

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. For purple mountains majesty above the fruited plain. America, America God shed His grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

In 1893, a young teacher by the name of Katharine Lee Bates, scribbled these words into a notebook after ascending Pike’s Peak and witnessing the vast expanse of America in front of her. She never knew that the words she wrote would eventually be sang in churches, public forums and eventually during the 7th inning of many baseball games in the United States.

She had no clue that the words, “America the Beautiful” would resonate with so many people. She knew that they resonated with herself.

According to the story (reprinted here with no known attribution to the original article), after tweaking and rewriting some sections, the song would be reprinted in the Boston Evening Transcript where it was mostly well received, yet she was criticized for using the word “Beautiful”.

Oh, beautiful.

There’s a lot of talk these days about patriotism. George Bush made the point famous by using rhetoric like, “You’re either with us, or you’re for our enemies” and calling patriotism into question. Congress went along with the war rhetoric under the guise of patriotism.

It became an unofficial requirement for members of the media to display American flag lapel pins. An exotic dance of expectations, intentions, and cooperations ensued where patriotism was challenged.

They don’t understand patriotism.

Patriotism is a love of country. Patriotism is not an act demonstrating a love of country. Patriotism is respect and honor. Patriotism is not a shallow public display of affection. Patriotism is the ability to stand back and say, “Wow, I’m blessed to be an American”. Patriotism is not “America and no one else.” Patriotism is recognizing that, at the end of the day, despite disagreement we can all stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of the freedom to disagree.

America, the Beautiful.

Much has been talked about Barack Obama’s speech on patriotism the other day. I confess, I haven’t seen it yet.The old view of patriotism likes to hammer him because he doesn’t wear a lapel pin. He’s not Muslim, but if he was that’s okay. He’s got a middle name that brings back some memories, yet… he is patriotic as far as I can tell.

He loves his country. He will defend the right to disagreement. His core is baked into a tremendous love for this country, his country, OUR country.

The fact that a black man, today, can run for President is a beautiful thing.

America the Beautiful.

I like what my friend, Erin, has to say about this.

I have never considered myself a patriot.

I have never served in the armed forces. I have never served as a lawmaker, or heck, even a volunteer.

I thought patriots died for America, they lost their homes or sacrificed their sons. I thought they did what was asked when the United States was in need and always stood by her side.

Those people are why I never once considered myself even close to a â€œpatriot.â€ Sure I have a loyalty to my country, but I also question her. While it may be one of the things that makes this country great, it was always one of the things I thought disqualified me to really be patriotic.

Guess I was buying the spin too.

The most noble and patriotic thing that an American can do is to question authority. That is what makes America beautiful, and that is patriotism.

Once Again, Voters Don’t Matter

Joshua Rosenstock — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:17:00 +0000

Democrats have organized their primary process in such a way that instead of winners taking all of the delegates in a particular state, or even rewarding the individual that won the most votes or the most states, a slew of party insiders and elected officials will act as tiebreakers if there is a close race. Forget the fact that voters have been energized for change, racing to the polls in record numbers across the country. The Clinton campaign is already devising strategies that will replace the will of the voters with what DNC insiders want. True democracy from the Democratic Party. This means that Obama will not only have to win states but run up the score (to borrow a sports analogy).

Even losing in the now all-important battleground states of Ohio and Texas may not be so bad considering the 100+ delegate lead he has compiled by dominating the field the past few weeks. Unfortunately, we may be rewarded with a throwback to a simpler time, when smoke-filled rooms set the scene for behind-closed-doors kingmaking. One can already imagine the scene this summer where Bill Clinton and DNC Chairman Howard Dean smile at each other, throw back some scotch, light up a cigar and remind us why there even are superdelegates and an Electoral College in the first place. Our founding fathers didn’t trust ordinary Joes with such an important function as selecting our President. Unfortunately, two hundred plus years have not seen much progress on that front in supposedly the most advanced progressive nation in the world.

Will The Base Accept McCain?

Joshua Rosenstock — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:44:38 +0000

With the Democrats virtually evenly divided between Senators Clinton and Obama, an interesting divide has become exposed in the seemlingly united Republican Party. It is no secret that the Christian conservative base and its numerous compliant media mouthpieces can not stand the thought of John McCain as the presidential nominee, with talk of forming a third party (which would all but ensure a Democrat gets elected this fall) among other fantasies. The sad part is that McCain is with these folks on 90% of all issues but they hate the idea that he occasionally compromises and disagrees with his own party. Propaganda machines thrive on the inability of people to think and form opinions for themselves. It is much easier to say Democrats = traitors than explain that democracy and our legislative process requires bipartisanship for major accomplishments.

Predictably, the very influential Dr. James Dobson, Founder of the Focus on the Family endorsed former Governor Mike Huckabee, who unlike former Governor Mitt Romney, will not depart the race and unite around the presumptive nominee. You have to laugh at Dobson calling Mitt Romney “pro-family” (obvious code for pro-life, as if someone that tortured themselves for days before painfully deciding that they needed an abortion is against every single family in this country). Will Huckabee carry the mantle for the base against McCain or will he see the bigger picture and try to heal this damaging divide? Regardless of who wins in November, this country remains more divided than ever while facing substantial issues in the near future. These problems will require cooperation if they are to be solved. Will President Hillary Clinton, who would most likely govern with a fifty plus one model be able to pull it off? McCain? The future does not look very promising this morning in America.

Rudy And Edwards To Drop Out And Florida Thoughts

Joshua Rosenstock — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:28:11 +0000

Last night’s Florida primary taught us several things:

1.) Rudy’s ridiculous strategy of completely ignoring Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina predictably backfired. Now the Mayor will endorse Senator McCain in an attempt to freeze out the hard-to-like Romney. Today’s photo-op at the Reagan Library may propel Giuliani to a seat in McCain’s cabinet (Homeland Security Secretary?).

2.) Mike Huckabee’s victory in Iowa appears to be a fluke, once again raising questions about why the first caucuses were so overcovered by the mainstream media.

3.) John Edwards has a great message but is not the best messenger, especially in light of the superior oratorical skills of Obama. He may have a promising future as attorney general or Supreme Court justice in the next Democratic administration.

4.) The Florida Democratic Party (among other state parties) has no regard for equity, justice or the right of its members to participate in the candidate nominating process. The rules that punish the voters because the state party leadership yearns to be a more active participant in the national picture is draconian and should be revisited. Is there anything more un-American than disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of voters for actions beyond their control?

5.) Seven years after the infamous ballot counting nightmare, it is inexcusable that areas in the Sunshine State (particularly Putnam County) still experience technical problems with the voting process. Whatever happened to the election reform we were all promised?

Bush Forgets That Democracy Gave Hamas Power

Joshua Rosenstock — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:51:39 +0000

“I am confident that the status quo is unacceptable, Mr. President, and we want to help you. The question is whether or not hard issues can be resolved and the vision emerges, so that the choice is clear amongst the Palestinians. The choice being, `Do you want this state? Or do you want the status quo? Do you want a future based upon a democratic state? Or do you want the same old stuff?”‘