I remember reading some years ago an observation by a political writer that has stayed with me. People who had never before heard of “hanging chads,†he wrote, suddenly found that they had
deep and
unshakable opinions about them.* That one point seems to crystallize so much of what I think is wrong with contemporary politics.
Too many people, I think, base their principles on their politics when I think you really ought to
come to your politics based on your principles. This is what I think or believe. This is what I have observed. This is what my heart tells me. Now which political approach seems best in line with what I value and understand?
Long-time readers of this blog know that I don’t make political posts here. This is a natural history and personal discovery blog, and the very few times I have made oblique political jibes or observations have been so subtle that no one has ever seemed to notice them. (Does that make me an excellent writer or a poor one?)
But today I will make an exception. Here are some of the things I think and believe. Here are some of the things my heart tells me.
- I believe that every time we do something that limits the rights of others, we make it that much easier for someone else to limit our own rights. Therefore, the best way to protect my own rights is for me to fight to protect the rights of others.
- I believe that if the racial/ethnic/cultural group I happen to be a part of is some day to be a minority, then I ought to do everything I can to treat existing minorities well since my behavior might serve as an example of how I could be treated.
- I believe that a society is ultimately judged by how it protects its weakest members.
- I believe that we are all obligated to provide some form of voluntary, long-term service to our communities and that there are many ways that this can be done.
- I believe that we should vigorously exercise each of our rights, even to voting in the most obscure local elections, so that no one can take away our rights by asserting that we never used them anyway.
- I believe that while all of us are entitled to the rights and privileges we enjoy as citizens, very few of us have actually earned them and that we only have them by the good luck of having been born here. Therefore, those who suffer and struggle and fight to share in the benefits of our society may be more deserving of them than I am.
- I believe that we should read banned books.
- I will support those who seek to expand the rights we all enjoy and not those who find it necessary to restrict our rights. I do not believe that we must destroy the Constitution in order to save it.
These are some of the things I believe, and I will make my political choices based on them.
*I think I read this on Slate.com, but I’ve never been able to chase down the reference.
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July 4th, 2006 at 5:08 am
Too bad the president of your country does not think the same way !
I believe that many of the people of the U.S.A. believe in similar principals as you but few of them are in “power” positions. Nevertheless, I hope that your beliefs will come to the fore someday. Thanks for posting your ray of hope!
July 4th, 2006 at 6:33 am
Today I have many thoughts along these lines, but cannot express them so well as what I see here. I needn’t dissect each individual point – but take joy in reading them.
I do love the “banned books” point. I shall take one of those many such down today and substitute a trip to watch fireworks in order to read it.
July 4th, 2006 at 6:42 am
I was thinking about doing a similar post today, but like Wayne I don’t know if I can come up with anything as coherent as this. Good, thoughtful points, especially about coming to your politics based on your principles. The same could be said about religion, but that’s a whole other can of worms.
July 4th, 2006 at 7:57 am
I believe you made some good points…as usual.
July 4th, 2006 at 8:02 am
that’s some excellent writing, pablo. maybe not enough to convince those who have weak principles based on a poor understanding of self-interest, but a fine clear guide for open minded folks.
dang nice independence tree too.
July 4th, 2006 at 8:04 am
Pablo for President!
July 4th, 2006 at 8:34 am
Huzzah! Would that more of us held these truths to be self-evident.
July 4th, 2006 at 10:19 am
the previous commenters have pretty much covered it quite well. thanks pablo, for such a thoughtful post.
July 4th, 2006 at 10:55 am
Thank you for writing it all down, Pablo. I tried to write something like this yesterday, but couldn’t come up with anything nearly as coherent or succinct. Well done. You are a true citizen, my friend.
July 4th, 2006 at 11:42 am
[...] Independence Day [...]
July 4th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Can’t disagree with any of them. I am curious about the banned books, though. I would love to hear about your favorites some day.
One of my favorite banned books is Huckleberry Finn. Huck was one of the original abolitionists and talks almost as smart as you.
July 5th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
In Australia, it is compulsory for every citizen to vote in Local Town Counci, State Government, and Federal elections. A fine of around $100 applies if citizens don’t have a valid excuse for not voting.
Recently, the Howard Government tested the depth of the public feeling about this arrangement by floating the idea that “compulsory” voting is a removal of a right to choose to vote.
My argument is that voting is a duty of each citizen and if that duty is not carried out, a fine should apply.
Our country enjoys a very stable political environment which is tested each 3 years when all citizens perform their duty, and vote. There are no questions about it being too cold for the poor to make it to the voting booth while the rich roll up in their flash cars. Postal and absentee voting is available. There is no question about whether poll is fair or not.
Our system avoids the kinds of follies which have occurred in Florida, and in fact, in the whole of the USA!
July 5th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
The novel Seeing by Jose Saramago deals with the residents of a city that may be Lisbon, Portugal, most of whom cast blank ballots at the national election. They are not abstaining. They simply state that none of the choices available win their favor. Things end badly since no government is going to tolerate such a disdain from the governed. While I appreciate the right to vote, I’m not sure how happy I would be to be compelled to vote. Still, you guys (mates) have made it work, while recent history here suggests our system is rife with fraud.
July 5th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
If voting is compulosry it seems like there should be a choice of “none of the above.” In fact even if voting is not compulsory I wouldn’t mind that choice.
July 6th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
I’m with bill on a “none of the above” option. If it should ever actually win a majority, they would have to hold the election again with all-new candidates! That’s a voting reform I’d definitely like to see. But really, we need to find some way to eliminate from consideration all those who have a strong desire to hold office, don’t you think? As it stands now, the system selects for brownnosers and sociopaths.
July 8th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
I couldn’t agree more. Thanks for giving me some hope for this country!
December 7th, 2006 at 7:41 am
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