Back to Politics, or Hope of the Rising Sun.

It seems we will never get a break from politics again, what with 24-hour news and political talk shows catering to both the right and left, and both parties already speculating on the next cycle of election positioning.  I've found myself paying much more attention, and with greater interest, to political events and issues the past few years.  We must face the fact that there are quite a few issues boiling within our society that sooner or later demand a political resolution, and I suspect there always have been.  Before I delve into any of these issues, for my own sake I want to take a short refresher course on what exactly politics means. From Mirriam-Webster the first and most basic definition is: "the art or science of government."  Whether considered an art or a science, I suspect politics becomes most complicated in the context of democratic governance.  A monarch, tyrant or dictator can avoid much of the political mess by simply declaring and imposing his or her will. But a stated government "of, by and for the people" such as ours must somehow deal with the full spectrum of opinions, beliefs, ideologies and traditions cherished by all its citizens.  This is an immense and never ending task; it requires careful thought, discussion, debate, negotiation, compromise and leadership. 

Decisions may be finally made in the great halls of our capitals, but issues almost always arise from the people - people holding everyday conversations, expressing opinions, writing articles, organizing meetings and rallies, speaking up and speaking out, gathering support and voting their consciences at every level.  So what is this "art or science of government?"  It is all of the above and much, much more.  It's a messy business, but it works to the extent that all participants are dedicated to making it work.  

I suggest we all read a good book about the founding fathers, about the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, about the Continental Congress or the Constitutional Convention.  See if any representative was so strong as to get everything he wanted in these great debates. This new government they created was not the brainchild of any one man; rather each shared his ideas and the whole became much greater than what any one man could produce.  What's more, these men then left this experimental system in the hands of successors, and thus it has endured for over 230 years -- always changing, adapting and accommodating the concerns and issues of the present generation. Today it is our torch to carry or our burden to bear.  Tomorrow it belongs to our heirs. Whatever is decided on the issues of today, let's be sure to hand over a great treasure of liberty, justice, opportunity and hope for all.

Signing of the Constitution, September 17, 1787

Ben Franklin's Comments on the Signing,
As Reported in the Notes of James Madison

Doctor Franklin, looking toward the President's chair, at the back of which a rising sun happened to be painted, observed to a few members near him, that painters had found it difficult to distinguish in their art a rising sun from a setting sun.  I have, said he, often in the course of this session, and the vissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that behind the President, without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting; but at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting sun.

Thanks for reading my thoughts.  Love America, and feel free to share your thoughts here and on successive posts.  I'll begin once again discussing specific issues here soon.