A Government By The People | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

A Government By The People

Take back what is yours.

25
A Government By The People
sginhaokip.blogspot.com

Your democracy has not been hacked. It has been neither stolen nor hijacked. It has not been perverted. It never existed. Most of us grew up with the stories of the selfless heroes who laid down their lives so that we might live free. While, like most legends, there is some truth in these stories, the rumors of our freedom and our democratic traditions have been greatly exaggerated.

Our founding fathers wrote that all men are created equal. But consider that assertion. In, practice, it certainly doesn't seem as though all men were treated equally at the time. Beyond the obvious horrors of institutionalized slavery (the preservation of which was no small reason for the revolution), all men apparently meant all wealthy, white male landowners. That is who got the vote after the ousting of the British.

One could look back even further to the days of the revolution itself. All men were required to take up arms against the crown, whether they believed in the cause or not. Of course, if one owned a slave, he was more than welcome to have that slave serve in his stead. Money could also absolve you of your duty. For $300 (nothing to sneeze at in the 1770's), one could buy out of their obligation to the new republic. This would be a great American tradition for over one hundred years. The conflicts between racial and economic demographics would not be solved. They would be put on hold in the interest of uniting against a common enemy; an enemy the American government chose for the people.

And what about women? Aren't they all created equal? Not in the eyes of our founding fathers, and not in the eyes of many of our politicians today. We were the last of the "developed democracies" to grant women the right to vote. Think about the implications of that. 150-plus years after the declaration of independence, more than half the population of the country was considered not to be worthy of independent choice in their governance. Is that free? Is that democratic?

Many of the obstacles to true democracy put in place by our forefathers still exist. The electoral college, for instance, did and does aim to take power out of the hands of the American people; to monopolize democracy for a select few, and to give us the illusion of choice. Voter ID laws disproportionately target ethnic minorities and the poor. The corruption all too common to representative democracies is rampant in our system.The two-party narrative, the assertion that voting for anyone other than a Democrat or Republican is a throwaway vote, is crippling us and keeping us stagnant, docile. Certainly, the system has failed us. But not as much, perhaps, as we have failed ourselves.

Through all the corruption, lies, and unscrupulous political maneuvering, the mechanisms for the people to take charge do exist. We are not taking advantage of them. During the 2014 midterm elections, fewer than 30% of eligible voters came out to choose their representatives. Roughly 60% turnout is standard in national elections. 60% is still too little, but our state and local elections have a much more dramatic impact on our day-to-day lives. If people remain passive, nothing can change.

Revolution is an idea, not an act. It takes place in the mind long before it manifests through bullets and bombs. We don't just need a political revolution, but an intellectual one; a personal revolution. If the American people want to have a voice, it is necessary that we shout. Please turn up to vote in the presidential election. And vote for the candidate you agree with. Do not buy the propaganda, the claim that voting for anyone outside of the two establishment parties is a waste, or a vote for the other side. A wasted vote is one cast out of fear or cynicism. The responsibility is yours. Just reach out and take it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

187611
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13227
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456615
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25854
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments