Big Daddy's Ozarks Writing Blog

Approach One of the "revitalizing democracy" discussion had only a few comments in the course of two weeks. But already, Approach two has gotten several comments and we are not even into the meat of the topic. This post today, submitted by an unknown reader, I thought would be useful to throw out for more general discussion.

Here is is:

Money and power is what politics and citizenship has become all about.

Politicians will do anything to retain power and money (for themselves or the party). It is all about self-interests.

Interestingly, most American citizens are no different. Citizens will vote for anything if it benefits them individually. That is why senior citizens vote against school taxes (won't help them) but push for increased social security payments and prescription coverage even though both of them are huge expenditures.

We criticize our government for not thinking ahead but most Americans are not better. We vote and act based on short term gains instead of long-term impact.

Citizenship is more than just showing up to vote. Citizenship has to involve understanding the need to "establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty."

None of these things say the work has to be done by the government and none of items require us to make money or gain power as individuals.

What is best for the entire society and culture? That is the question of citizenship and many American's can no longer answer it because they are solely focused on self.

What say you?