The primaries are underway, and the main contestants are already evident. The same toss up as the last election. One denies the election result, attempts to overturn the democratic process, wants to feed the rich and starve the poor, stirs up all the ugliness of racism, lies shamelessly, is misogynistic, morally degraded, and uses religion to further anything other than godliness. The other seems exhausted from age and lacks charisma, is too quick to embrace friends, shows lack of moral clarity, wants the federal government solve all problems while letting big businesses exploit citizens and consumers with business as usual, at least in results if not in posture.
Although the contrasts between GOP and Democrats cannot be greater, on some issues they do converge. These cross moral boundaries, show disregard for international law and common decency, and shows collective ignorance or willful neglect by people originating from European White ancestry, of the dignity of other people and religions within the US and across the globe. The current atrocities in Gaza, denial of cease fire to protect lives, setting a blind eye to war crimes by one party and disparaging the UN for the work they do to protect life and to raise alarm about wanton destruction of people, property and natural landscape, are good example of such blindness or willful neglect of rule of law and human freedom while preaching the same Gospel at home to its citizen.
What can we to do as citizens? Too many of us are becoming single issue voters while losing sight of the larger picture of protecting and strengthening democratic institutions, fostering civil society, rule of law and an unwavering respect to human dignity and to uphold, as this Digest is founded on the principles of truth and justice in a well-functioning society.
Unfortunately, both parties have not groomed credible younger leaders who are willing and able to cross party rhetoric, show genuine goodwill for fellow citizens of all backgrounds, and have adequate moral clarity. The need for young leaders who can distinguish between right or wrong without putting on partisan filters or seek special interest votes is sadly lacking and a failure of our governance as a nation.
Here are couple of suggestions that should be taken up by the legislature and advocated by the public:
- People vote but corporations/businesses don’t. Therefore, no corporation/business should be allowed to contribute to political campaigns, run or fund a PAC, run ads during campaign season on any issues that influences voters or sway public opinion.
- Each citizen has one vote – rich or poor, black or white, educated or uneducated. Therefore, nobody rich should be allowed to contribute more than the current cap for individual candidates or fund PAC, or ads directly or through any organizational framework, to influence voters or sway public opinion. A rich person should not have more rights through the influence of money, to gain votes or representation than a poor person does in society.
- Equalize access to vote - America has a long tradition that if you are born in this country, you automatically become a citizen. It is time to say that if you are in the country as a citizen or legally you can also vote in an election. Do away with voting cards and let each unique fingerprint be an adequate ID for voting.
- Further amend the second amendment – “right to bear arm” should be replaced with “right to have access to education” for all citizens across the country with standardized funding and standardized education to ensure that each person has equal and quality access to education no matter what zip code or family he or she is born into.
These are admittedly longer-term remedies that needs to be articulated as they are based on values that democratic societies should aspire for. The lack of which is the root cause of some of the disfunction in governments in the US and around the world where autocracy is on the rise and democratic institutions are under siege.
Let us know what you think? Would love your comments and thoughts.
