Democracy and June; a step too far? – News- Graphic (subscription)
Okay, I have kept silent long enough. I have had to change the Band-Aids on my tongue at least four times this week and at this rate I am going to need some stitches. Isaac Asimov once said something about democracy that for years I didnt understand. But today I think get it and perhaps you will too. Heres what he said; There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and the strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge. Theres an old childrens song with the lyrics something like this; Oh be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little ears what you hear, oh be careful little feet where you go I havent heard that song in a great long while. Nor have I heard a contemporary song with a similar message.
That great French comedian and humorist, Joseph de Maistre, okay he was actually a philosopher, said; Every country has the government they deserve. Later in the same document he said; In a democracy people get the leaders they deserve. Im just like you, I thought Abraham Lincoln said that and maybe, but if he did, he was quoting Joseph de Maistre. (pronounced Mys tray) Oh yeah, Joseph was quite a corker, a laugh a minute. Heres another rich one; False opinions are like false money, struck first of all by guilty men and thereafter circulated by honest people who perpetuate the crime without knowing what they are doing. I dont know about you but when I read that statement I instantly thought of every talking head I have seen on the news programs and several coffee break conversations I have ever had.
Here are some things that I do understand about our government. It is designed to encourage debate and the balance of power. I feel certain that no democracy cannot survive operating as a feud. Here in Kentucky most of us understand the zero sum game of a feud. Democracy requires discussion; not sound bites, collaboration not shouting matches and clear judgement not rash hysteria. Democracy should be focused upon how we all can win, not on how we make certain the others lose. And another thing Democracy needs is each of us having a practicing respect for all our laws.
Getting back to our new acquaintance and guest comedian, Joseph de Maistre. He nailed it again with this whopper. All grandeur, all power, all subordination to authority rest upon the executioner: He is the horror and the bond of human association. Remove this incomprehensible agent from the world and at that very moment order gives way to chaos, thrones topple and society disappears. Can you imagine a world where no one expects repercussions for their actions? Why, people would be texting while their driving, double parking on Main Street. Children would adorn themselves with ink and perforations. Ignorance would be a point of pride; no need to know that; no concern to me as long as I can watch my TV, iPad, electronic device of choice.
Our news commentators, radio, TV or papers are most often overflowing with bile and bitterness. Soon, no one will respect any office or voice of government. No one will care if we all suffer just so long as our supposed enemies dont get to succeed.
Instead of being a country of individuals we have become glops of demographics. I can prove that. I can prove that we have all happily clumped ourselves into nice little boxes of hims, hers, Dems, libs, indys, Repubs and this list goes on. Just look at the things that are being celebrated in the beautiful month of June. I cant list them all, I have over four double-sided pages of celebrations. Sixty celebrations claim the whole month.
Today, June 3rd is I repeat day. Today, June 3rd is I repeat day.
June 18th International Panic Day, National Splurge Day, and June 19th World Sauntering Day, you know; maybe that joker Joseph de Maistre has it right. After reviewing this massive list of celebrations, things that are important enough to claim a whole month, perhaps he is absolutely right. Perhaps, we do have the government we deserve.
One final thing; We can change that government by participation, education, attention to details, a refusal to accept half-truths, sound bites and of course; we all should vote. Now, does anyone have another Band-Aid? My tongue is bitten again.
Don Buck P. Creacy can be reached at doncreacy@gmail.com
View original post here:
Democracy and June; a step too far? - News- Graphic (subscription)
- Iran is more prepared for democracy than many realize - The Japan Times - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- To Fight Antisemitism and Preserve Democracy, Educators and the Jewish Community Must Partner Closely | Opinion - Newsweek - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Appeals Court Delivers Another Blow to Voting Rights Act - Democracy Docket - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Theme Panel: Democracy and the Populist Critique: Are We Too Concerned about Stability? - - Political Science Now - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Mass Deportation: Analyzing the Trump Administration's Attacks on Immigrants, Democracy, and America - American Immigration Council - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Are 16-year-old voters the key to future-proofing democracy? - RFI - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- The decay within: Why the EU needs to help defend Bulgarias democracy - European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Council Appoints Juarez to Serve Out Cathy Moores Term, Accusations Fly Over Democracy Voucher Collection - PubliCola - - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- A Call for Realism, Love, Localism, and Democracy: Review of Rory Stewarts Politics on the Edge - providencemag.com - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- Democracy is at stake in Harvards lawsuit against Trump - Salon.com - July 28th, 2025 [July 28th, 2025]
- California Governor Gavin Newsom calls GOP's push to redraw congressional maps in TX an 'existential crisis to democracy' - ABC13 Houston - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- EPIC Teams Up with EFF, Protect Democracy Project to Support States Bid to Block DHS Access to Medicaid Data - EPIC Electronic Privacy Information... - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Haslag: 3 ideas for starting to dig our democracy out of its current hole | Opinion - Springfield News-Leader - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- The Death of Democracy in America Is Boring - LEVEL Man - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Trump Signs Rescission Bill Clawing Back $9B for Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting - Democracy Now! - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Catawba College and The Carter Center team up to bolster democracy in North Carolina - wfdd.org - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Constitution House of Tabriz: where Irans struggle for democracy has its roots in - Tehran Times - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Bots, buzzers and AI-driven campaigning distort democracy - East Asia Forum - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Why Is the World Letting It Happen?: U.K. Surgeon, Back from Gaza, on Starving Children - Democracy Now! - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- League of Women Voters event to feature BadAss Grandmas for Democracy - InForum - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- GUEST COMMENTARY: Avoiding your neighbor because of how they voted? Democracy needs you to talk to them instead - thetimestribune.com - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- Lowering the vote to 16 can improve democracy, research shows - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - July 27th, 2025 [July 27th, 2025]
- China 'clearly' trying to interfere in Taiwan's democracy, Taipei says before recall vote - Reuters - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Intervening coalitions request preliminary injunction in Arkansas direct democracy lawsuit - News From The States - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Trumps Attack on Immigrants Is the Tip of the Spear for His Attack on Democracy - American Immigration Council - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Benjamin Garcia-Holgado Receives the 2025 Edward S. Corwin Award for The Judicial Bulwark: Courts and the Populist Erosion of Democracy - Political... - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- The Homelessness Crisis Is a Crisis of Democracy - Jacobin - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- One Meal Every Three Days: Journalist & Aid Worker Back from Gaza on Stark Reality on the Ground - Democracy Now! - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Press Release: Senator Roger Marshall Discusses Obama Administration's Alleged Threat to Democracy on Newsmax - Quiver Quantitative - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Dont give up on democracy: Edgar Lins mission rooted in family and experience - Madison365 - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- 2025 Democracy Service Medal: Honoring the Legacy of Oswaldo Pay - National Endowment for Democracy - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Senator Marshall: The Obama White House Was the True Threat to Democracy - Senator Roger Marshall (.gov) - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- MEDIA ADVISORY: The 13th High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance: Trends, Challenges, and Prospects, under the theme Justice,... - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Letter to the Editor: Term limits will save democracy and cure cancer! - Main Street Media of Tennessee - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- In Brenda Wineapple's "Keeping the Faith: God, Democracy, and the Trial That Riveted a Nation" readers revisit The Scopes Trial - WAMC - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- With Maine voter ID referendum, democracy is in the details | Opinion - The Portland Press Herald - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- U.K. Police Arrest Another 100 for Supporting Banned Group Palestine Action - Democracy Now! - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Ricig joins Nestor and Dan Rodricks for coffee and democracy chatter at Zekes in Lauraville - baltimorepositive.com - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Editorial: Zelensky just betrayed Ukraine's democracy and everyone fighting for it - The Kyiv Independent - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- How Anti-Affirmative Action Crusaders Are Escalating Their War on Inclusive Democracy - Balls and Strikes - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- PBS and NPR are generally unbiased, independent of government propaganda and provide key benefits to US democracy - The Conversation - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- The Guardian view on votes at 16: democracy belongs to the young too | Editorial - The Guardian - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Terms of Engagement Democracy: The Worst Form of Government Except All the Rest? - Ash Center - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Democracy Vouchers are serving Chinatown-ID; lets renew them - International Examiner - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- New York Citys Ranked Choice Voting: Democracy Thats Accountable to Voters - The Fulcrum - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Opinion | In Georgia, the EUs commitment to democracy is being tested and it may be failing - OC Media - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Democrats Endorse Omar Fateh to Be Next Mayor of Minneapolis - Democracy Now! - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Former EPA Official on Trump Gutting Science Research Office: People Are Not Going to Be Protected - Democracy Now! - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Democracy is pissed and shes raining - Illinois Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- OPINION Assault on literacy: Banned books and the destruction of our democracy - Windy City Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- How Western democracy died Real change is an illusion - UnHerd - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- The EUs strategic compromises are blinding it to the ongoing fight for democracy in Serbia - ceps.eu - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Democracy in Crisis as Half of Young People Fail to Register to Vote - Byline Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Experts Issue Stark New Warning About Nuclear Weapons, 80 Years After Trinity Test - Democracy Now! - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Two Ultra-Orthodox Parties Leave Netanyahus Government Coalition - Democracy Now! - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- The Next Phase in Destroying Israeli Democracy Begins: Ousting the Attorney General - Haaretz - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The Pollster Who Sensed Democracy Was Faltering - The Atlantic - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Whatever Evers decides, Wisconsin is heading into a high-stakes battle for democracy - Wisconsin Examiner - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Automatic voter registration: a huge step forward for democracy and a chance to bring missing millions into elections - The Conversation - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Opinion | We Need Human Connection to Heal Democracy and Build Shared Prosperity - Common Dreams - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- All the States Where DOJ is Demanding Voting Data - Democracy Docket - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- News - Updating the Arsenal of Democracy: Allies Embrace Co-Production Model - DVIDS - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- A half year of devastation: Trumps first six months shakes American democracy - New York Daily News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Emerging right-wing politics a threat to democracy - New Age BD - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- This Week in Democracy Week 26: Soft on Child Abuse, Tough on Public Broadcasting - Zeteo - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Opinion | Defunding Public Media Makes Perfect Sense If Destroying Democracy Is the Goal - Common Dreams - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- From military coups to elections: where is African democracy heading? - africanews.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Democracy Is Dying But Hey Nice Fireworks Funny 4th Of July T Shirt - roarmag.org - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Noto Democracy and the slow work of civic change - The Japan Times - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- "Good Trouble Lives On" in Whittier California! Honoring the late US Representative John Lewis, the Community Rallied for Democracy and... - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Britain will lower its voting age to 16 in a bid to strengthen democracy - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Lowering the voting age: a boost for UK democracy or a shot in the dark? - The Guardian - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- From Voices to Visions: Reflections on Climate Democracy in Practice - International IDEA - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Imagining The Path Forward for The Healthy Democracy Ecosystem - The Fulcrum - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans Advance Trump Judicial Nominee Said to Have Urged Court Defiance - Democracy Docket - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- An Urgent Warning from Texas: A Conversation on Defending Democracy and Fighting Authoritarianism in the States - Center for American Progress - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- How we Treat [Immigrants] will Shape the Future of Our Democracy and Our Moral Character - The Birmingham Times - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Britain will lower its voting age to 16 in a bid to strengthen democracy - AP News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Democracy is not theirs to dismantle. More than 120 people turn out for 'Good Trouble' protest - GazetteXtra - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Dems to Fight Texas Illegal, Unconstitutional and Egregious Effort to Rig the Elections - Democracy Docket - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]