Volume 10, Issue 41
A democracy is founded on the due process of the rule of law. In the case of the United States, the Constitution lays the foundation for the rights of citizens, the requirements of government, and the ruling restrictions thereof. Encompassed in liberty is the moral framework of citizens’ commitments to adhere to a moral convention in their pursuit of happiness. Government’s purpose is to serve the people. The people’s purpose is to serve each other by being responsible citizens.
Totally absent from any discussion by candidates, party officials, the media, or elected leaders is a pronouncement as to what are the obligations and responsibilities of citizens for their contribution to a self-governing democracy.
Do citizens understand this responsibility and are they willing to engage in a reciprocal partnership? Recently AmericasOne commissioned national research to explore what does America believe and why does she believe it. In answer to the question, are you more likely or less likely to vote for a candidate who states that “a distinction of America is that its political and social system will work only if the people remain morally grounded and self-controlled. If the public departs from these responsibilities, no amount of government regulation can hold the system together,” 65% of Americans are more likely to vote for that candidate.
A candidate who states that “meaning in life comes from contributing value to the lives of others. A selfish society is doomed to fail. A generous and compassionate society requires every person to do their part in advancing the common good” is more likely to be supported by 73% of the population.
Roughly three-fourths of the American electorate not only is desirous of establishing the terms of citizen responsibility, they want candidates to inform them what is necessary and required by their contribution to advance the democracy from which they benefit.
Why have we become a country so afraid of John F. Kennedy’s admonition in 1961.
Americans now distrust national government, national institutions, national leaders, and national intellectuals as entities with self-serving agendas antithetical to the individual needs of citizens. Voters have retreated into the construct of their personal nuclear families to ventilate the issues. The value of the family authority has become paramount over the divisive issues of national political operations.
Most family discussions concerning every day challenging issues do not begin with the premise that it is a goal and objective to become a ward of the state. Children are taught to do their homework. They must participate with effort to realize a quality education. No family directs members to go out and break the law for the purpose of developing a better society. Marriage is to be honored. Elders are to be respected. Those in authority are to be held accountable yet supported in mission. A good job deserves a good day’s work. Fairness, righteousness, and justice are not just principles of government policy but also individual citizen character.
If these are the discussions families are having, you would think politicians would want to participate in that discussion. When asked, what are two sources you personally use to receive news and information related to politics, government, and social issues, the answer was friends or family and social media. This comprised 52% of all sources. Americans are having discussions among themselves inside their families and sharing with their friends. Politicians are having a collateral discussion through mainstream news and cable news without any connection to the authority or compendium of the family dialogue. In these national leaders’ infinite ignorance, they cannot understand why 75% of Americans think the country is on the wrong track.
What is missing as the unifying element in American democracy is the bond between leaders who desire to serve the public’s agenda as a primary purpose and have the confidence that American citizens want to participate in the solution to our problems. Citizens want their leaders to just tell them the truth. Americans know instinctively that few things are free. They are willing to maintain moral character and to give back for the greater good, even if sacrifice is necessary.
Government only confuses itself when it attempts to provide benefits without reasonable cost. The public knows better. Citizens want a partnership with government pursuing sensible goals with realistic benefits based on the parameter reality of the opportunity.
Between now and next Tuesday, no one airing political ads will say anything in reference to the partnership of citizen responsibility and its critical importance in a governing democracy. Once again, the citizens are left to their own means to defend truth. Vote for leaders in whom you have some faith are not afraid to tell the truth and partner with citizens in their commitment to accept the truth and participate in the solution.
A new movement is coming to America. It will be led by citizens committed to their families and their children’s future, demanding common sense solutions that provide stability, security, and prosperity for society.
And when it arrives, just like in 1776, no one will be more surprised than the ruling elites.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?