By John Jordan
To begin with, the world did not end. Ok, the election did not go the way I wanted it to. I am appalled by the character of the president. To mention just one aspect, he must be held accountable by us fellow men for his physical assaults on women and his bragging about it. To dismiss such behavior as “just locker room talk” is absurd and false.
As I read our history, power, money and white male privilege derived from ownership of property is what the American Revolution was fought over. Indeed, the government was formed by essentially aristocratic white men because the basis for their lives and position was being threatened by a monarchic government. However, they justified their actions by appealing to the rights of human beings in general. Their language was inclusive and inspirational. They set up a representational government that provides voice and opportunities for all citizens to participate. Leadership by design and law (the Constitution) was limited and by popular vote (consent of the governed).
Election by popular vote has always been fraught with manipulation, lies, and deception on the part of many. Certain citizens have had to fight disenfranchisement from the beginning, i.e. blacks, women, people with connected crimes, people with disabilities. Elections have always been influenced by money, power, and media. This current election was no different.
Times are the worst of times; times are the best of times. As citizens, we either believe that “we the people” have power or we don’t. To believe it is to take our responsibility as citizens seriously. I believe we must be active citizens; we must seek reliable information form multiple sources, we must think, we must attend meetings, speak up, and vote. Sometimes, we must protest and we absolutely must hold our elected officials accountable.
I invite all my fellow citizens to engage and say to our elected officials: “You are not above the law and we are watching you.” We must seize and exercise our power as citizens and not give it blindly to others.
Leave a Reply