Are you satisfied with the results of last week’s Congressional midterm elections? Yes, or no? Well, either way, it doesn’t really matter all that much.
That’s right, folks.
Because American-style democracy was meticulously crafted by the Founding Fathers to facilitate a precise system of checks and balances.
That is why there are three primary and distinct branches of Federal government: judicial, legislative and executive.
It is therefore completely inappropriate for either of the major parties – whether Democrat or Republican – to ram critical legislation through a well-oiled political machine that was designed by the people and for the people.
And that includes the controversial Patriot Act (thank you, President Bush), as well as the unpopular health care bill signed into law by President Obama and both houses of the Democratic-controlled Congress.
Clearly, no one party, group or movement is entitled to implement their respective agenda against the wishes of a sizable minority – or majority.
Sure, politicians often try and even manage to succeed in some cases. However, the results are usually Pyrrhic.
Yes, Obama passed his health care law and failed to stem rising unemployment (stimulus, what?), while Bush started two major wars and signed off – along with the House and Senate – on a most undemocratic piece of legislation.
In both cases, the people of this great nation responded by expressing their anger, frustration and disapproval at the ballot box.
As they should – because that is how democracy works.
Now, I would venture to say that the political, ideological and cultural differences amongst our citizens are what makes these United States of America unique.
Yes, the nation is deeply divided on a number of important issues. And no, most of them probably aren’t going to be (definitively) settled anytime soon.
But you know what? Democracy, as imperfect as it is, can best be defined as a system which strives to encourage compromise, while attempting to hold the human id in check.
No, it doesn’t always function as planned and is sometimes in dire need of radical readjustment.
But for the most part, it works and has been since 1776.
So, let’s all just keep on rockin’ in the free world – for as long as we can.
