Reflecting on our great democracy the past two weeks lends substance to the conclusion that, not only are we divided politically, ideologically, and culturally as a society, we are also divided in the process of democratic purpose. Our mission protocol is defined as compatible government policy which establishes freedom, security, and equal opportunity. Unabridged respect for diversity in philosophy and ethnicity is a paramount tenet for providing individual pursuit of happiness.
Seeking a common platform to accommodate different religious perspectives requires a citizen to support government policy that is a vote for unity in accommodation. Currently, the entire debate centers on government rules that simply advance one group’s position over another.
It is balancing the integrity of society through democracy that is mission critical to the maintenance of our way of life. Each citizen, choosing to support universal opportunity for fellow citizens in the decision making process, is the key to unified national purpose.
Incumbent in a citizen’s right to vote is a citizen’s responsibility to cast an intelligent ballot. Understanding the issues pursuant to a particular experience in life is justified if the decision includes a commitment to unity in purpose. One argument is that a person should be a citizen of the United States to vote. The determination is not whether one is an immigrant without portfolio. The question is: can a non-citizen cast a vote for their political needs while at the same time being sensitive to the citizenship of other Americans? Balancing a citizen’s rights with responsibilities for the rights of other citizens is the first and fundamental commitment to democracy.
Political parties’ power must be balanced with society’s collective need for freedom and pursuit of happiness. Parties often believe that the end justifies the means. Therefore, if some individual rights are trampled, so be it if the party ideology is established. Such zealots see no limits to the purity of their philosophy. Dictatorial demands are the ultimate threat to balancing the integrity of society through democracy.
Economic opportunity must be balanced with economic security. Capitalism must be tempered with moral values to ensure that a rising economic tide raises all boats fairly and equitably. The past sins of our country have left some people of color at a disadvantage through a wealth gap. This gap possibly could have occurred through capitalism even without racism. Workers must be protected so that those with vision may be guided to lead righteously.
American values must be balanced with other sovereign systems of the world. There is no question that the United States is the world’s last great hope of freedom and respect for individual human dignity. There are other countries that believe in freedom but do not have the wherewithal to protect it. Most countries are dependent upon the U.S. to maintain the world order we currently enjoy. And of course, there are countries now openly questioning the merit of democracy as a way of life because of the inefficiency of results. These countries are doubling down on the adage that the end justifies the means. The collateral damage of oppression and tyranny, to them, is a worthy price to pay. May we never yield to this temptation that individual righteousness and freedom are lesser goals.
The military and police of the United States must be balanced with the critical intention of enforcing the laws against those nations and criminal elements that care nothing about individual potential, but only their own selfish, undisciplined desire to take more than they give. The wealth gap here and abroad must be addressed in that it pits citizens, at times, in desperate situations. Security in the streets and in the world, when administered, is just as important for stabilizing the process to close the wealth gap.
Government taxes and regulations must be balanced with society’s economic purpose to exercise free enterprise. Total government control of a society’s revenue produces diminishing economic results, further exacerbating any recovery or closing of the wealth gap. Small businesses is just as important as large businesses. Family-owned businesses are the backbone of American economic culture. Families must be left with the freedom to operate without undue burden.
None of these principles of balance are mutually exclusive.
This balancing act can be summarized as a society’s rules of reciprocal equity. Christians refer to this as ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ or ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ Further, in loving your neighbor, you embrace his or her diversity without surrendering your own. One seeks policy that accommodates all pursuits of happiness and all needs of society in a given time. In so doing, each individual strengthens his or her own position.
The Founding Fathers designed a republic, not a democracy. They felt that it was important that the average citizen elect someone they respect to evaluate issues on their behalf. A legislature of wisdom comprised of caring people would find common purpose. Yes, rights of nobility took some precedent, but it wasn’t based on destiny of birth. It was based upon an effort to elect men and women who would cast a vote premised on unity, not individual power. Only in America after 1789 (ratification of the Constitution) did a citizen of the world have the right to vote for a non-designated government delegate.
Amanda Gorman, poet laureate extraordinaire, reading her poem, “The Hill We Climb” at President Biden’s inauguration, passionately emphasized that “we must lean into the future together.†This is the call of our times. Move forward together seeking a common platform foundation that allows all to prosper, not in lieu of, but because of our diversity.
The next steps we take as a country must be in the spirit of representing our care and love for each other. There were demonstrations in Long Island this weekend that set the tone of a hostile environment for non-white citizens. Believing that one is born into a superior race is quintessential racism. Believing that one has chosen the one pure ideological and political position in life is quintessential arrogance. Both are based in the inherent original deadly sin of pride. Giving in to the quintessential evil that the end justifies the means, and that one knows better than God Himself, is not only the ultimate threat to democracy, but the curse of humanity.
When David of the Old Testament saw Goliath denigrate God, he was committed to stand against this blasphemy. He first asked what was the arrangement with government if he stood against the Philistine. He who slew Goliath would be allowed to marry one of Saul’s daughters and their family would pay no taxes for the rest of their lives. Therefore, there is biblical precedent for government paying for righteousness rendered. Perhaps one solution to the wealth gap is the forgiveness of tax for those affected by sins of unrighteousness for one lifetime. However, the payment requires an affirmative action from the recipient of the payment. This is to establish the effort to reach not only unity of opportunity, but unity of national purpose.
What is important now is that we act together as citizens of the United States to show good faith in commitment to each other. In so doing we must address needs, maintain opportunity, protect freedom, and lean into the future together in respect of our individual diverse liberty.
Whether your creed is based on reciprocal acts of equity for fellow citizens or love your neighbor as yourself, they mean the same thing. Righteousness in process is the moral goal. By believing that commitment to do the right thing and support one’s fellow citizen’s ability to prosper strengthens one’s own opportunity.
Only by this virtue will we be successful in balancing integrity of society through democracy.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?
