A introductory political essay series on how modern American Democracy has moved from its original intent, to safeguard the rights of man as all men are equal, into a government consisting of an elite class forcing their views onto others.
Good morning American People! I am writing this political commentary with the full knowledge that it most likely will not be published because the powers that be do not want you to pull the blinders off of your eyes. In the past two hundred plus years we have slowly drifted away from the original purpose that this country was founded on, the protection of personal and religious freedoms from the very people who have slowly taken what freedoms we have away from us, the government. Before you start agreeing with me, the people have only one person to blame, ourselves! In this edition, I am going to give a short background on myself, then give an abbreviated explanation of what this country is SUPPOSED to be like based on simple concrete definitions taken directly from Webster's Dictionary on what a true democracy is. Based on public response, I will follow up with articles on what we can do to fix the system, and if you pay attention, we could see a change for the better in the near future!
My name is…..well, I will leave that out now because of various legal reasons that will become apparent as I continue with this and later commentaries, but suffice it to say I am not just some angry person that wants to rant on, but rather inform you and let you make your own decisions. I received a BA in political science from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 2003 with a minor in history and a detailed background in basic psychology. Through extensive study and political theory, I have come to believe that this country and its government has become the very thing that our forefathers fled England to escape, namely, the political oppression of mankind to live their lives free from government oppression and the ability to do as they please in the privacy of their own land so long as it does not cause harm to another living person. That said, let me now take the time to get to the meat of my first commentary, the true definition of democracy and how this country has moved from an egalitarian, or equality based, system, to a system in which 99% of the population is subjected to the beliefs and behaviors of 1% of the population, or what will from here on be referred to as the “ruling class”.
To understand how we are no longer a true democracy, we must first look at the definition of democracy taken from Webster's Dictionary. A democracy, or democratic government, is a government in which the laws and rules are based on popular opinion. A democracy is a form of government in which the governed consider themselves self ruled and in which no ruling class exists. It is a form of government exercised either directly by the people or through elected officials that are SUPPOSED to act on the people's wishes. It is a rule by majority and the practice of political and social equality.
With that said, this country has become more of an oligarchy, a form of government in which the ruled are controlled by a small majority (interest groups) for corrupt or selfish purposes (financial gain or power). We live in a system in which interest groups “bribe” politicians to enact laws for their own gain with no concern for OUR wishes! Lets look at the issue of Marijuana legalization to give a clear example of how interest groups control how you live.
Marijuana was legal until 1937 and not totally criminalized until the 1960's. Today, more than 76 million Americans currently use cannabis in the privacy of their homes not causing any harm to anyone else. There has NEVER been a documented case of a Cannabis overdose. George Washington and Ben Franklin grew hemp not only because they could, but because it was required. I cannot think of one American that would call George Washington lazy, or Ben Franklin a pothead! Hemp provides clothing, paper, oil, and many other products that are useful and far more environmentally safe than their man made counterparts. Recent laws enacted in 15 US states have made the medical use of marijuana legal by state law to treat many mental and physical disorders. Why, you may be asking, is it illegal then? The answer is simple, the ruling class has allowed the tobacco and alcohol lobby, both products extremely dangerous to humans, to line their pockets and keep it illegal so big business can continue to profit off the deaths of the American people. If almost one third of the people use, or have tried, marijuana, how can its continued prohibition be considered an act that represents the people? The answer is simple, it does not! Rather, it is a phenomenon that I call the self-disenfranchisement of the electorate that started in the 1960's and has only gotten worse through the last 48 years.
In the 1960's there was a slogan, “turn on, tune in, and drop out”. That way of thinking has not only hurt the freedom of the American people, but have allowed for the continued control of power to lie in the hands of those who do not care about the way you want to live your life. I am not someone who does not care. I served in the US Army from 1993 to 2001. I was a correctional officer for a state county jail for 6 years. I am someone who cares about this country and is pained by how the apathy of the people have hurt what she once stood for: freedom, equality, and true pursuit of happiness!
In following articles, should reader response warrant them, I will discuss how some of the powers of the federal government need to be returned to the individual states. I will also discuss in further detail how the self disenfranchisement of the people have hurt the democratic way of life, as well as other important topics in today's political atmosphere. For now I wish to say get out and vote, no matter who it is for, because if you don't you deserve everything that is done to you!
