Thinking about the countries around the world that are struggling to have a democratic form of government makes me realize how fortunate I am to have been born in the United States of America. I also realize that whether you were born here or came here by choice, it is easy to get caught up in daily life and start taking the blessings of living in a democracy for granted. It doesn’t matter whether it is mental or physical laziness, or whether you are new to this country or have lived here all your life, the result is the same.
Millions of people in the U.S. are not fulfilling their civic responsibilities, and are unknowingly weakening the foundation on which our form of government and our way of life depends. This failing has now become a national malady that is eating away at our most cherished institutions.
The few requirements placed on us by living in a democracy include, respecting the law, paying one’s fair share of taxes, honoring the rights and differences of others, as well as serving on a jury. From my viewpoint those are easy. The harder part of our responsibility as citizens is to remain constantly aware of how important citizens are to the democratic process.
When we drop out of the process at any level – when we don’t reach out to help others and serve our communities, when we don’t stay current and aware of issues on a non-partisan basis so we can make intelligent choices – we basically become parasites living off the efforts of others.
The reality is that the present dire circumstances in our country and the world are such that we can’t afford to do that. In order to continue benefiting from the protection of all the rights a democracy offers, it is necessary for each of us to shoulder our responsibility for society. Most of us know the old saying that we get the government we deserve. The success or failure of our government does, in fact, depend on us—no one else.
To remain healthy, democracies require more than exercising the privilege of casting an occasional vote. They need the investment of time, constant attention and the commitment of large numbers of citizens to remain viable. Only then can we be assured of a government that remains strong enough to protect our rights and our freedoms.
This column wouldn’t be complete without offering some form of information to help all of us be better citizens. I Googled two Web sites: Responsibilities of U.S. Citizenship, which offered 1,190,000 links, and Source of non-partisan information on current issues for an American citizen, which yielded 599,000 links. Most of us have computer access today, but for those who do not public libraries offer Internet access, as well as appropriate printed information.
I believe it would do all U.S. citizens and residents a world of good to refresh our memories as to what it takes to really fulfill our civic responsibilities. This would present an opportunity to once again recognize and appreciate the blessings of a democracy, and be reminded of our vital role in helping to support and preserve our chosen form of government.
As the great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi said: "The true source of right is duty. If we all discharge our duties, rights will not be far to seek. If leaving duties un-performed we run after rights, they will escape us like will-o-the wisp. The more we pursue them, the farther they will fly."
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Copyright 2008 by Fern Stewart Welch
The author’s book THE HEART KNOWS THE WAY—How to Follow Your Heart to a Conscious Connection with the Divine Spirit Within is available at Amazon.com and other online booksellers, as well as through major bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.
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