Democracy, Liberty, and Equality

Posted on October 11, 2021October 11, 2021 by Doug Carroll, Ed. D.

Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.
Alexis de Tocqueville, Essays in Democracy

For too long, it seems, democracy has been under assault. For some, this assault is entirely a new phenomenon – though history proves otherwise. In Greek history, the story is told of sea nymphs, part female and part bird, who lure mariners off course with a seductive song to crash into the rocky coastline, meeting their death. Socialism is the modern version of the siren’s song.

On its face, socialism seems reasonable. No sensible person rejects the notion that government should be about the business of equality, justice, and equitable treatment in all things related to its citizens. Even the least compassionate, most indifferent know intuitively there are people in far worse condition than their own. Allowing an impartial and dispassionate government to distribute wealth, position, and property ownership can not wholly be without merit. When left to their own devices, humans will not satisfy their wants, reject any notion of the common good, and hoard wealth to the disadvantage of others.

Moreover, collectivism appears very democratic. What can possibly go wrong in a system where everyone owns everything equally and where the governing authority makes those decisions for you? Isn’t everything produced in a sense a social product? Does not society benefit from the contribution of everyone in the society and, therefore, entitled to at least partial ownership of what is produced? And while the modern progressive, neo-Marxists, democratic socialists, or social reformer distorts language to articulate the dissolution of the democratic capitalist state in the name of equity, they all understand full well the ultimate goal – the end of democratic state sovereignty and personal liberty. Marx wrote, “If you can cut the people off from their history, then they can be easily persuaded.” Persuaded to what end, you may ask – the siren’s song.

Are we not living in a time when history is not presented as a series of facts, but rather as a series of interpretations, political in nature. If we are to take history at its word, then history demonstrates the difference between the progressives in the nineteenth century and those who claim their position today. The progressives of the old are not of the same character or ilk of the neo-progressives of our time.

Unlike their modern progeny, the early twentieth-century progressives were sincere in their desire to reform society. Though some would prefer socialism over capitalism, the conflation of democracy with capitalism did not require dismantling the ballot box, the wholesale destruction of representative government, or penalizing the entrepreneur. On the other hand, the modern progressive has little qualms or hesitation in dismantling the guardrails of democratic practice. Under their utopian vision, society has little need for law enforcement, a Constitution, freedom to express an oppositional position, or basic civility. While they constantly harp on the oppressor, they don’t hear the siren’s song, whose lyrics lead them to be dashed upon the rocks. They are deaf and blind to comprehending the destruction of democracy can only end in one way – more oppression, not equality.

The only path to liberty is equality. But, how then can freedom and equality be best progressed? Is it through an artificial system of forced communal sharing? Or through free men and women expressing their unheeded common interest and desire for a better future through the democratic process? One might propose a socialist revolution will bring upon the desired change more rapidly than the glacier pace of democracy. But, history yields a far different conclusion. Social revolution stoked by Marxist ideology, even covertly packaged for media consumption as social democracy, social justice, equality, or progressivism, replaces the people’s choice with the oppressor.

No time in history or no place on this planet has socialism produced anything other than oppression. Nowhere is economic disparity, social degeneration, oppression of thought, and opportunity greater than in countries where democracy is a shell for socialist or communist regimes. If equality is the goal, then why would you trust the very people to look out for your best interests once they are isolated from the prospect of being removed from power by the democratic process?

Liberty and equality only exist where democracy is treasured. Yes, the democratic process takes time. Yes, the democratic process sometimes results in less desired and ineffectual outcomes. Yes, there is inequality that must be rooted out. Yes, democracy has failures, but not of the process or system. Rather, democracy’s failures of human nature. “The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite,” wrote Thomas Jefferson.

Notice the difference. Do we choose equality in liberty or equality in restraint and servitude? The answer is clear. Do not heed the song of the socialist siren!

Generational Sacrifice

Posted on July 8, 2021July 8, 2021 by Doug Carroll, Ed. D.

“There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult – to begin a war and to end it.”

Alexis de Tocqueville

The road I run bisects a small cemetery. Recently, as I was running through the area, I stopped to pick up trash someone had tossed onto the graves nearest the road. Picking up trash put me at eye level with a simple, unadorned plain headstone and marker that I would not have paid attention to had it not been for the trash strewn nearby. The burial was relatively new, as evidenced by the mounds of dirt where the grass has yet to take root. At eye level, I could read the headstones and plaque in front. The person buried in this family plot is a Vietnam Veteran and a Prisoner of War. Next to him is his father. A similar plaque except the inscription is Korean War Veteran. Small American flags are next to each site. Two generations served and sacrificed to preserve democracy here and abroad. It will not surprise me if there is a third plaque with a World War II inscription with the same family name. A heritage of service and generational sacrifice.

I know nothing about the family or the family history except what the inscriptions read. Unlike some graves with towering stone testamental monuments and quotes etched as permanent memorials, the words chiseled into these stones are plain. Maybe the message needs little adornment. I was born, lived, fought for what I believe, and passed to the next world without fanfare or much ado.

It seems generations that serve in combat say as much by their silence, by deed, than can ever be captured in word. Yet, we can claim unequivocally these men risked their lives for what some today cynically say is “a fool’s errand, a war without purpose, or a cause that death and destruction are too costly to justify the result.” I, for one, most vehemently disagree with the cynics!

The cause for democracy is just; it is moral; though the cost is terribly expensive, liberty (the most precious of all ideals) will always be paid for with the currency of generational sacrifice.

Those who cynically believe democracy is at its sunset and wars for principles, ideals, moral causes are nothing more than imperialistic attempts to maintain the preeminent position that world powers enjoy, are the same folks who can’t comprehend generational sacrifice – giving up something dear to oneself to protect something greater than ourself. Generational sacrifice is the voluntary surrender of something of great personal value today in exchange for something more valuable to a future generation.

Democracy is a gift, a moral imperative given willingly to someone without an expectation of the reciprocity of the gift. We give to those who come after us, and to those, we may not know or see. Democracy transcends the problems of the day, portends a better future. The only guarantee of future liberty and freedom is that the present generation must generationally sacrifice to contribute towards it. We are not just in the business of preservation or conservation. We must engage in the business of elevation – elevating the ideals, concepts, precepts, and principles to the next generation to live freely, without fear of tyranny or freedoms lost. After all, why preserve something worthless, the cynics ask? To that end, we must respond, because freedom is the most valuable and prized of all ideals.

I am no expert on war or military service. I claim no special gift or talent or authority to answer on behalf of my generation, those born after Korea and before Vietnam. It is interesting to note that since the Revolutionary War, the United States has fought twelve wars and several battles all across the globe. More importantly, since 1942, Congress has not exercised its Constitutional duty to declare war even though Americans are involved in conflict worldwide. Americans can argue and debate whether our soldiers should be involved in so many different hotspots in the world and what the purpose is. What is unmistakable, and de Tocqueville is right, “There are two things which a democratic people will always find very difficult – to begin a war and to end it.” I would add a third statement to de Tocqueville’s quote. It seems in our case, for our leaders to acknowledge and publicly debate the merits of combat actions on foreign soil.

Meanwhile, families, sons, daughters, and friends in our military dutifully sacrifice voluntarily as our military is all-volunteer, engage in combat while the political leaders of my generation shirk both the duty of Constitutional public debate and vote. The question is, is democracy on the wane because my generation has contributed little by way of generational sacrifice? Do the enemies of democracy have little or no fear of America because they observe a decline in a generational sacrifice they perceive as a decline in democratic values?

Maybe the question is not what has my generation contributed, but what have I contributed. That question we can all answer. Robert Kennedy wrote, “Every generation inherits a world it never made; and, as it does so, it automatically becomes the trustee of that world for those who come after. In due course, each generation makes its own accounting to its children.” Each generation is a trustee to the next. Democracy succeeds because we are individually part of the trust for the next generation.

We should not fear the democracy cynics. Nor should we place much stock in what the forces of tyranny think. The difference between tyranny and democracy is tyranny uses power to constrain liberty. The power of democracy is unconstrained liberty; the nightmare of every despot in history! Generations of history bear this point as valid.

Singularly, we must evaluate and come to terms with our willingness to generationally sacrifice. There will always be those who contribute more by serving dutifully in the military, public service, or volunteering. The little league baseball coach is to be celebrated for their contribution as much as the public servant. No sacrifice is too small. A free society will always contain a portion of folks who contribute little but are the beneficiary of the hard labor of others. Cynics see only the non-contributors and smugly think they represent American democracy. They are wrong. A stroll through a veteran’s cemetery says otherwise. Generational sacrifice is American democracy’s dawn, not democracy’s dusk.

To those who believe Democracy is at its end: “We the People” Respond…

Posted on June 29, 2021June 29, 2021 by Doug Carroll, Ed. D.

“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”
Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

Regardless of the current situation in our nation, we have not only survived catastrophic events but as a nation, been strengthened by them. Several lessons in American history substantiate the resiliency of the American people when confronted with challenges. “We the People” is not just a catchy phrase in the Constitution. A clear call for action united against the forces that believe American democracy cannot withstand the onslaught of external forces intent on fermenting internal strife. Rest assured, we can, and we will.

From “We the People,” leaders will rise. Reconciliation, restoration, and reunification will replace dismay, disunity, and disenfranchisement. And therein lies the immediate problem in America; the failure of the political leadership to rally “We the People” to the great cause of equality, civic duty, and community service.

For too long, the Democratic and Republican parties have ignored “We the People.” They have place petty politics over the people’s business. They have forgotten the simple truth that democratic governance is a human endeavor designed to protect and enrich the lives of citizens, not their positions of power. To be elected to Congress, Senate, or any office is a privilege, an honor – lately much besmirched by the daily antics of the two parties who seem content with allowing the government to operate like reality television or some chaotic game show.

Unfortunately, the winners in this show are almost always the politicians and the losers, “We the People.” The founders warned against political elitists replacing the egalitarian virtues of equality in rights, positions, and opportunities for all citizens. Political power does not confer a special privilege but a special duty and obligation to others. Unfortunately, in modern times this is no longer the case. The Democrats and Republicans have managed to construct a monopoly on privilege, power, and access. These are the very things the founders feared most. The very ideals disdained since the founding of America.

The Democrats and Republicans choose deceit over honesty, sow discord rather than encourage unity, and conflict over cooperation. They ignore and disdain the very implication of “We the People,” we have a higher expectation for civility, cooperation, and decency in how the political parties act. Sadly, they fail on all accounts. They have forgotten the sacred oath of their offices, and public service is a sacred honor.

And, while cities are in turmoil, school systems flounder, systemic discrimination permeates many public organizations, the health of the most vulnerable citizens is at risk, millions without work or inadequate housing or food; the best the Democrats and Republicans can do is to point blame to the other. The only point of agreement between the two is the other is at fault, or if we throw enough money at the problem, “We the People” will forget the problem exists. In a land of more than three hundred million people, can we not find better representatives of America? Is America without men and women who rather lose an election doing the right thing than win just because the winner retains power? Where are the leaders to be found? Certainly not in the ranks of the current political parties.

Fortunately for “We the People,” leadership is found in our ranks. Daily, people risk their own health to work in healthcare facilities. Churches, mosques, and synagogues attend to the spiritual needs of members and non-members alike. Community organizations have risen to the challenge of providing meals, housing, clothing, and necessities to those in need. Small business owners are finding ways to utilize their services to support the less fortunate, even when their survival is precarious and threatened by recession. The military and reserve units have stepped up to deliver meals, medical testing, and protect citizens. Police officers continue to show up for work and patrol neighborhoods knowing there exists an element of society that believes they can use the crises in leadership to their nefarious advantage. Firemen and EMT’s answer the call in emergencies when others dare not leave for fear of injury. In the ranks of the most virulent protests, several protesters have stepped from the line to assist their fellow citizens without regard to their political beliefs and predispositions. Even children are giving up their weekly allowances to comfort people they have little in common and do not know. Yes, “We the People” are the empowering spiritual force that drives America forward.

Suppose there is to be a revolution in America. In that case, it must be like that of our founders and like those of the generations that faced the Great Depression and turned the tide of world war to democracy’s favor. It must be a revolution by those who met the challenge of 9/11, not by shirking civic responsibility by running from the collapsed towers but sprinting towards the inferno and toxic fumes. It must be a revolution of people like those on Flight 93 sacrificing their own lives by overpowering terrorists and crashing the plane into an empty field so that other families would not suffer the loss of loved ones. Their cry of, “Let’s roll!” should be our call to arms. Not the components of weapons or violence, but that of locked arms in a common belief that American democracy is still more reliable, moral, and of higher purposes than any alternative. For all our faults, transgressions in history, and flaws, democracy thrives because liberty is best at resolving strife.

The revolution begins at the ballot box. It will be a revolution of ideas, values, and ethics. The revolution is a call for the most basic of all human rights, equality and respect. “We the People” expect better. “We the People” demand better. It’s time for political parties to become part of the solution and no longer the problem.

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Essays in Democracy

Reconstructing Democracy in America

Tag: civic engagement

Generational Sacrifice

To those who believe Democracy is at its end: “We the People” Respond…

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