Heard on the street: “The actual process of politics has failed this nation.” Because we are practicing common sense civics and citizenship here, not “fly off the handle” with fellow citizens, let’s look closely at this statement.
What is the “actual process of politics?” Is it voting? Choosing candidates? Or communication with constituents? Is it our Constitution?
On voting- Look, we are not naive here. We understand that foreign governments are at work daily to disrupt our constitutional republic, specifically the misuse of computers and the theft of American ingenuity. Do I believe that Russia tampered with our voting machines? No, I don’t. Our process of voting needs tighter security and a higher degree of integrity and honesty from within, especially at the local and state levels. It’s an “us” problem, not a “them” problem. We need to make some calls to our election officials. I conclude that voting alone is not the political process that has failed us.
On candidate selection- If choosing the candidates was the process of politics that has failed us, it’s an “us” problem. We the People run the show. We decide who will receive our vote. If we stay home, is the voting process responsible? If we vote for candidates who offer us the moon on a silver platter and deliver nothing except debt, has the actual process of politics failed us? Or have we failed us?
On communication- Every candidate has a website. They DO communicate who they are. How many of us take more than 10 seconds to read “in between the lines” and get informed? Communication with constituents is of primary importance. Has the process of communication failed this nation? Time and time again, it has been proven that if you contact your congressman or senators, the “squeaky wheel gets the grease.” I conclude that this is not the political process that has failed this nation. Perhaps we have negated our duty to “run the show” and not “let the show run us.”
On the Constitution- Many of us are engaging in a dialogue about how our government was formed, what ideas precipitated the birth of our country, and how the Founders intended the government to operate. On this very page, you will find an on-going book study of “The 5000 Year Leap” by Cleon Skousen. We are learning more each week that our Constitution is brilliant. It is composed from tried and true ideas from civilizations that came long before 1789. The Constitution is not “the process of politics” that has failed us. After the Bill of Rights, amendments have steadily grown our government. Our freedom is now less than the original intent of the Constitution.
So, has the process of politics failed us? I submit that it’s We the People who have failed to fully engage in the process of voting, candidate selection, communication, and the study of our U.S. Constitution.
Thinking about this issue is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.??
