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Dalton
Roberts |
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Call me an alarmist if you wish but I think our democracy is in peril. It has less to do with terrorist acts inflicted on us from Muslim fanatics than from the terror we are inflicting on ourselves. Three things must happen for the situation to get better: we must have better candidates, we must do something about money controlling elections, and independent groups and voters must greatly increase their numbers. Plato said, “The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves.” Let us have a brief moment of pure honesty and look at our leaders at the federal, state and local level. Ask yourself, are these really the best people we could find to run our government? Are they intelligent enough to do the job right? You will not be able to stop laughing long enough to answer those questions. The quality of leadership at all levels has nose-dived. There are bright spots but I have seen many federal, state and local administrations come and go and I have never seen so little brainpower, ability and commitment to the common good. Can you blame those who get elected for accepting money for their influence when we have allowed money to elect them? We absolutely must find a way to get issues debated or ridiculously over-financed simpletons will keep buying their way into office with attack-dog ads. I ran countywide primary and general election campaigns in 1978 on less than $40,000 compared to Bob Corker’s war chest of $700,000 in his merely citywide mayoral bid. I cannot fault Bob for playing the game as it is now played but I do blame us for allowing money to become the almost sole factor in elections. It is insane to need that much money to get elected in a city race. It screams out loud and clear, “Money is the name of the game.” More independent groups and voters are the most needed change at the federal level. In my lifetime, I have never witnessed the degree of partisan polarization we see today. It is bitter and intense. We are likely to witness a seesaw between the extremes with rightwing rule followed by leftwing rule. That might suit you just fine if you are a partisan extremist but the real need is more independent thought with a mellowing toward the middle. Unfortunately bright, independent-minded people tend to be appalled by politics and not participate. I agree with Einstein’s observation, “He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.” I also think these citizens need to take to heart the words of Ralph Charell, “Avoid the crowd. Do your own thinking independently. Be the chess player, not the chess piece.” That is really what you are if you do not take part in politics – a chess piece. The government does whatever it wishes to you and you have no voice at all. If you cannot stomach partisan politics, there are dozens of non-partisan groups like Common Cause where you can exert influence on both parties. It is those groups that must prosper if we are to overcome the partisan polarization poisoning the political process. You may say I am just a dreamer. I think that’s what people said about those men who created this glorious new kind of government 250 years ago. Atop the capitol in Rhode Island, 224 feet above the terrace, is “The Statue of the Independent Man.” He holds a spear in one hand and leans on an anchor with the other. The spear symbolizes an independent thinker’s ability to pierce through layers of lies and get to the truth. The anchor speaks of the solid, steadying influence of the independent-minded. That spear and anchor is desperately needed in the corrupt, inept politics of today.
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