We thought it was the Arab Spring. But, now, the revolts in Turkey, Brazil, Egypt, Israel, Chile, Russia, and the various US states are showing that was too simple an explanation. These revolts (with the probable exception of Russia) are now aimed at democratically elected governments.
And, those demonstrations in Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia- as well as those countries above- are occurring because the legislatures (and leaders) decided that their election affords them the right to act without regard to the minority (in the case of the US States, significant minority, often 49% OR MORE of the electorate) desires.
You see, we- and the rest of the world- have confused government run democratically with marjoritorian democracy. Once you have 50.01% of the vote, do what you want and to hell with everyone else. It’s even better if you can get everyone to vote for a multitude of candidates, forcing a run-off, so that one no longer chooses the best among the lot- but the least worst of the field.
Which is one of the reasons why the middle class is now diminished. After being lied to, claiming that one just has to work hard and play by the rules, and you will succeed. As we hear that firms can pay a little extra to get information that will sway the stock market earlier (2 seconds!) than the rest of us. So, the ones who paid extra came make a killing. Or, go to college, and you’ll get a good job- as states cut funding to colleges, making tuition unaffordable- and doubling interest rates on college loans, so that graduates will be in debt for decades, unable to buy that first home or start that company to exploit that new idea one may have.
Social media makes these complaints and demands for improvements easier to provide. It’s not like it was in the 60s, when we had to hand out leaflets, use megaphones, and travel the highways to make our causes known.
But , the best answer- the ultimate goal, one too many forget, is that voting is not a quadrennial activity. You can’t just come in and vote in Presidential elections. Your vote is critical at the local and state level- because that’s what sets the boundaries for representatives and legislatures, it’s what sets the policies that are used to administer federal programs at the local level.
Get out and vote- every single time! That’s the way to effect change.
Now one must work hard and play by the rules AND tweet incessently/play candy crush saga to forget that they will be in debt for decades and not be able to afford that starer home.
I’m still laughing and crying at the same time, Ms. M.
I wish I had the answers. No, I wish I could snap my fingers and things would be better- but the problem is that better for me and my friends and family may not be better for everyone else. That’s the issue with majority rule with minority rights. We (and many others) seem to have forgotten that subordinate, but critical, component.
Great thoughts. We must take our neighbors into consideration even when they disagree with us.
Melinda recently posted..Drunk Driving
You said a mouthful, there, Melinda. That is exactly why many regimes (elected or otherwise) fail- because they assume majoritorian (even 50.01%) wins- in spite of the needs, dignity, or considerations of the minority- which may be significantly large.
That’s even more true when one realizes that some 50 to 60% of the population votes- so even a majority vote may not be the population’s majority opinion or desires.
I got here late today, but I’m here. What I am amazed about is that there are enough people to make an effective demonstration these days. Watching social media like I do, everyone is so divided, and not down any kind of middle but all over the places. There is a G-d, there is no G-d, race matters, race doesn’t matter, Gen Y sucks, Boomers suck (forget gen x), They should hang him, they never should have tried him to begin with. It’s that, Roy…it’s all that that keeps us topsy turvy to the place where if they vote, it’s an emotional vote and not an informed one. So, vote, but inform yourself first and use your brain besides something to keep your ears apart. (not you, Roy, but the universal you that is all of us.) Great post!
Lisa recently posted..Novae Prime by Lisa Brandel
I don’t think there is one thing I can add to that, Lisa. Except to tell you to make it longer so you can have your complete blog post!
Thanks for that super comment!
Arab Spring? I think not. – We thought it was the Arab Spring. But, now, the revolts in Turkey, Brazil, Egypt,… http://t.co/B1cfMFA482