A threat to democracy
I have reservations about discussing politics online for a number of reasons. Firstly, it all too quickly becomes combative, aggressive, and overly confrontational. I concede, at some level this is needed, but often this can obfuscate genuine discussion and debate. It makes necessary discourse difficult to have; any form of disagreement instantly descends into an “us” vs. “you” attack, often along partisan lines. Truthfully, I am unconvinced that this type of dialogue leads to anything meaningful. In fact, I believe it transforms our disagreements into fundamental divides.
The other reason why I am reluctant to talk about politics in a public forum is quite simply because there are a number of issues which I’m undecided on. I’m only 21 and some of my political, economic, and social opinions are still changing — something I think today may no longer reflect my views tomorrow. And that’s ok, but it also means I must be careful about projecting my views in an open space.
Yet, today I will do so, but I wish to make it clear that this is not an attack against any one set of political beliefs; rather, it is a discussion about the principles of our democratic institutions. I must also preface my message by noting the fundamental values which I hold dear to my heart. I value all human life equally, no matter race, gender, sexual orientation, creed, nationality, or otherwise. I also believe that each and every individual has a moral obligation to make the world a better place. Lastly, I hold a deep rooted reliance that all humans believe they are intrinsically good. Evidently, this set of beliefs has been formed by my upbringing and background, but my hope is that these values help you better understand my frame of reference for the argument to follow.
You should be worried. Yes, you — I’m talking about you, the corn farmer in Iowa, the entrepreneur in Johannesburg, the lawyer in Uruguay, the factory worker in Sunderland, the doctor in Tokyo, and the banker in New York. You should all be concerned, just as every other citizen of the Free World should be too.
You are all lucky to live in some semblance of a democracy; your voice can affect issues both close to your homes, and matters far away. But the liberty to express your opinions, whatever they may be, is under attack today. Democracy is under attack.
If you are an American, you are privileged to be a citizen of arguably the greatest country on Earth. Your president, The President of the United States of America is the leader of the Free World and the symbol of democracy in the Western World. He is the head of the Government of the United States, and the institutions and values which it represents. His actions reach far and wide domestically and abroad, and his decisions affect you, they affect me, and they affect many more people around the globe.
The Founding Fathers of the United States could only have imagined how powerful and important their country would become in such a short time span. They could not have predicted the consequences of the industrial revolution, World War 2, or 9/11. Still, they were aware of the importance of self-governance in creating a functioning society. In crafting the United States Constitution, they sought to create a system of checks and balances so that no branch of Government would be too powerful. It’s an ideal that all Americans hold beloved — whether a Republican or a Democrat, a conservative or a liberal, a Texan or a New Yorker.
The concept of separation of powers isn’t about contemporary policies or political parties — it was designed to transcend topical affairs and protect the righteousness of American Democracy through time. But it is under threat today more than ever before. Starting with FDR, consolidation of power towards the Executive has increased, and in more recent times both Bush and Obama have taken advantage of this to enact policy.
Trump too has sought to use this in the infancy of his Presidency, except he has done so in an unprecedented manner which should outrage all Americans, regardless of which party you belong to. Ordinarily, a president might draft policy by consulting with key federal agencies, experts, advisors, and stakeholders — but Trump has overreached and shown a disregard for these democratic norms. He has drafted these executive orders with little to no vetting, save for the advice of a small circle of political allies.
This precedent, if unopposed by Americans, sets an ominous tone for democracy. Left unchecked, abuses of power have the potential to destroy the freedoms and rights we value so dearly as democratic citizens. The process of power is greater than any one individual, law, or administration. It is a process that ensures that freedom always prevails.
I hope you see that this is not an attack on your political views. In fact, you may agree or disagree with President Trump’s recent spate of executive orders, but if you value democracy and freedom, then I implore and encourage you to support the appropriate challenges, critiques, and reviews from individuals and institutions whose job it is to protect the United States Constitution and the integrity of the American people.
You should be worried because a curtailing of democracy in the United States of America has severe consequences for freedom around the world. Politics is divisive, but this represents an opportunity for all of us to come together and support the democratic institutions that are the foundation of western society. As Edmund Burke once said:
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
I call on you to act, to question executive power, and to uphold freedom so that the triumph of evil is not possible today, tomorrow, or in 228 years.
