Democracy Under Siege
A prominent United States senator said recently that the influence of money in political campaign financing “. . . is nothing less than an influence-peddling scheme in which both parties compete to stay in office by selling the country to the highest bidder.” In her book, The Corruption of American Politics, veteran Washington journalist Elizabeth Drew writes that money is drowning out decency and threatening the underpinnings of democracy itself.
This is ominous. Democracy is more than a form of government. It is a way of life, a formula for just relationships. The word “democracy” means rule by the people. Abraham Lincoln described this form of self-government as “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” not government of some people, by some people, for some people. Democracy supports individual freedom and the fundamental dignity and equality of all persons.
Democracy, theoretically, is a form of government in which political power rests with all the people. It recognizes the intrinsic value of widespread and broad-based input. It invites the richness of diversity. Democracy says do not look only to yourself and like-minded people for answers; avail yourself of that which others have to offer, for life is diverse. Democracy says do not be rigid or inflexible; be open and adaptable, for life is dynamic and ever changing. Democracy says do not make participation exclusive; make it inclusive, for life is all encompassing. Democracy says do not gravitate to extremes; seek moderation, for life requires balance. Democracy says do not represent only those who have influence; represent all, for life demands justice. Finally, Democracy says do not tamper with this process, for it is your only hope of survival.
Democracy requires watchdogs. Always, it is under siege. This occurs when our capitalistic economic system and our democratic political system clash. Democracy calls for a government of, by, and for the people. Capitalism calls for profit. When the quest for profits plays a disproportionate role in electing candidates to public office, democracy is compromised. When office holders reward their benefactors, there is a gross violation of democracy. This legal form of institutionalized corruption defeats the spirit of democracy. When the morality of our government is corrupted, democracy disintegrates. When the government is controlled by those who seek profit above the welfare of the common good, the democratic process is rendered useless.
The democratic process represents an appreciation for life, a celebration of diversity, and an acknowledgment of our oneness. It is a process emanating from our instinct to be free, an irrepressible force. The ideals of democracy are the ideals of humanity. For democracy in our public sector and for capitalism in our private sector to work together harmoniously, we must fully understand the implications of our interdependence: the interrelationships of life, which sustain both human and ecological systems, must be honored.
Democracy is the form of government we have chosen to protect these interrelationships. Those of us who work in the public sector must understand our protective roles. The common good cannot be sacrificed for the benefit of the powerful. Those of us who labor in the free market have similar responsibilities. The first is to support, not erode, the democratic process. The second is to profit in ways that do not violate people or our environment. From these judicious uses of power in both sectors, we all profit and progress.
The Solution: Seven Words That Can Change The World…the DVD
Filed under: democracy
Joe,
I read your book, Seven Words That Can Change The World, and have bought and distributed several copies. Thank you very much for writing it. It is ,as many have said, the most accurate description of reality I’ve every encountered. It has changed my life completely. I already knew the value of being kind and respecting the environment, but your book helped me to understand the value of personal health as well and the inter-relatedness of health, kindness, and the environment.
It also confirmed by own beliefs that all of the religions on this planet are not only completely made up, they are indeed a hindrance to any kind of real progress.
I really only have one problem with your writings and your thinking. My problem is “profit”
I dont see how profit has any place in a world where the people are kind , healthy, and respect the environment. I really don’t see how profit is even possible!? We all share this world and this world has a limited amount of resources. Where does profit come from?
Put 2 people in a room with a limited amount of shared resources and have them try to profit off one another. Its not possible. Now put 7 billion people on a planet with a limited amount of SHARED resources and have them try to profit off one another. Its still not possible! And yet that is what we do. We try to profit from each other. That is a huge problem! It’s a problem because since we really cant profit from each other, we are instead profiting from the future, and future generations of people. They are the ones who we are taking away from in order to make profits.
There are already more people on this planet than the planet can properly support. We can’t ALL make profit can we. At the very BEST we can all survive. Because of the limited amount of resources, for everyone that has made profit (having everything they need to survive PLUS some) there’s someone else who has less than what they need to survive, and so they likely won’t.
The quest for profit is every bit as counter-productive to progress as the religions. Again, the very best that we can all do, is that we can all survive. We cant do any better than that. Thats what we should all try to do. We can’t ALL profit, but we’re all trying to, instead of just trying to survive.
“The second is to profit in ways that do not violate people or our environment”
I don’t see how that is possible?
Hi Mike,
Thank you for your note and kind words.
Your thoughts about profit are interesting. You remind me of my friend Jacque Fresco who believes as you do that the monetary system should be discarded. He favors what he calls a “resource based economy or society.” You will like his writings at http://www.thevenusproject.com
What are your thoughts about what would replace “profit?”
Keep in mind the reality of what humanity is as opposed to what we would like it to be.
Perhaps if people were first healthy in mind and body (“be healthy”), they would treat each other and the environment in sustainable ways. The concept of “profit” as we know it today would change incrementally as humanity evolved. That seems to be how nature works: incremental (evolutionary) change.
Joe
Thank you very much for the response. I did not realize that I would be getting one from you. I’m a little overwhelmed to be honest. Thank you very much for the link to the Venus Project too. I do find it most interesting. I’d also like to take this opportunity to say that it is our dream to go to Vilcabamba, to build and enjoy an Earth ship style home. Thank you for, and congratulations on the wonderful community that you have made possible in Ecuador.
What would replace profit? I dont have the answers. I do have an uncanny knack for identifying the problems. And I’m not short on ideas.
How about….
Trade. An even swap. Just like nature. X amount of energy becomes X amount of matter. Not (x+1) for me and therefor you get (x-1). There’s nothing extra to be had in nature. There is everything we need no more, no less. Mother Nature gives us what we need to survive and we give Mother Nature what she needs to continue to give us what we need. Neither nature or humans can get out more than they put in. The best the entire universe can do is break even.
How about replacing that which defines profit. As it is, money and/or resources define profit. How about replacing money with knowledge. Imagine if instead of everyone trying to accumulate money, we all tried to accumulate knowledge. You can steal my money, but you can’t steal my ability to fix your car. If i give you all my money I’m left with nothing. If I give you all my knowledge, we both get richer.
Knowledge always seems to be the missing ingredient. It is even missing from your plan. Be kind be healthy, respect the environment, and realize that nothing is worth more or is more worthwhile to acquire than knowledge. If your seven words truly are the answer, then that is where education and knowledge will take us. If we let it. We’re not in the stone age anymore. The knowledge exists. We just dont share it because we want to protect our profits.
Money is a dam on the river of knowledge.
Why would anyone want to SOLVE a problem when instead they can profit from it?
Cancer anyone? War anyone? Crime?
I was very unhappy to see that your books must be purchased and can no longer be read online for free.
They WERE priceless. Of course I have already purchased them, but so many others who might have been able to read your work, will never see it now.
Thank you for your note. If my staff or I can help you with your travel plans to Vilcabamba, please let me know.
Thanks for pointing out that my books could not be read online for free. I didn’t think that option was still available on Lulu. It is available. All my books can be read for free again.
You’re right about the central importance of knowledge (and education). That is embraced in the Seven Words in the first two: Be Healthy (in mind and body).
Knowledge is the key to everything.
Best, Joe