The founders of this nation, usually called its “fathers”, might, if they could see it today, want to disown it. Some did not want political parties, as if that would be the undoing of the prescription they wrote for democracy in the new land. Perhaps, though, having two parties might be the best way to assure a majority, not a plurality, would rule.
The prescription was for basic rights and protections arising out of self-evident truths, out of the ideal of equality. That was common sense chasing a dream of what might be, compared to the regime that had just been kicked out. The document laid out the basic structures and processes that would assure the ideals of self-government would work.
The one element missing was that mode by which the citizenry was to be prepared for such an imposing task of self-government. The burden had to be taken up by a chosen few representatives whose learning and advanced education pushed them to the fore in the consciousness of the people.
How adequate are the voters to the task of choosing its governors? How ready are the voters to cast a clean ballot?
Just as candidates taking office must take an oath of fidelity to that prescription, citizens, too, should take an oath of fidelity to that constitution. Not the “Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and to the Nation for Which It Stands”, but something more substantial to which all citizens should swear their oath. A more substantial oath would have the force of a promise, a word-of- honor to responsibly know all issues and candidates, and to study and listen and discuss and debate. So many hours of training before taking the controls, as for driving or flying.
No legal voter should be corruptible by those standing for election, nor should they cast a vote that has been corrupted by candidates who shrewdly know what corruptions they can get away with.
In earlier times, the educational system which, it was hoped, would prepare the citizens for this radically tough democratic ideal, was an elitist system of private schools. A democratic system of government does not thrive under an elitist system of education. Finally, through public performances by the students in the elitist system in declamation and elocutionary activities, the general public wanted for their children the same benefits of instruction reserved for the wealthy few. The demand was created for public education.
Considering the current climate of the political culture, the education of citizens is failing to produce candidates who have to watch closely their adherence to the truth in their presentations. We should not be suffering political advertising that attacks the person of the candidate without substantial proof that the criticism is warranted.
The elementary and secondary educational system should require students to become competent citizens and voters by testing them in the rigors of discussion and debate, which require scholarship and PRACTICE. Media criticism is a second course of study to be required. Third, studies in the Constitution and the framework of government should expose students to readings in Supreme Court cases, especially the Bill of Rights.
I am writing this because John McCain and his partner are campaigning on their personalities and personal accomplishments as a war hero and a hockey mom who wears lipstick like the pitbull she owns.
WE AGAIN HAVE A REGIME THAT NEEDS TO BE KICKED OUT!
I am afraid that the voters are going to bring about the election of those two corrupters of the political culture because the citizenry is not now capable of withstanding the assault by those campaigners. Issues be damned!
My real fear is that the citizens are not capable of seeing through the irrational arguments and prevarications being made by McCain and Palin. Obama, imperturbable, has assumed a better nature will ultimately win. I do not see it.
The public schools will have to save us from the likes of Bush and McCain and Palin.
