There is something that is transpiring in our nation that should alarm and awaken all of us who love our country and Democracy. When Benjamin Franklin excited a meeting at the Constitutional Convention held at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787, a woman asked him, “Doctor, what have we got a Republic or a Monarchy?” The old wily and wise sage that many have given the distinction of being the most American-American of all the Founding Fathers responded, “A Republic if you can keep it.” This saying of Franklin has reverberated down through the years and has proven to be prophetic when you consider the times that our Democratic Republic has actually hung in the balance. Beginning with the Whiskey Rebellion that our first President had to contend with to the Civil War to the infamous insurrection that took place on January 6, 2021 (due to the great lie perpetrated by the former President), our democracy has historically proven to be the best form of government by the people, for the people, and of the people that the world has ever seen. I want to consider some of the most threatening detriments that are presently confronting our Democracy.
The Partisan and
Political Chasm
One of the most debilitating and divisive detriments that is helping to wreck our Democracy is stemming from the political sector of our nation. From the federal to the state to the local levels of government, there is a chasm that is getting wider and more difficult for politicians to reach across and agree to disagree without becoming disagreeable and paralyzed by partisan loyalty. It is difficult for many politicians to act on behalf of both what is right for their constituents as well as the entire nation without being afraid that they are going to ruffle the feathers of some bigwig in their party. There was once a time when politicians in Washington could reach across party lines and compromise in order to do what is in the best interest of the country. However, due to partisan bickering, the big lie, and other bones of contention, the very institution and many of the elected officials who took an oath to preserve and protect both our Constitution and Democracy may go down in history as the ones who destroyed it. The irony is that the blame is bipartisan and can be laid at the feet of politicians in both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Demographic and
Ethnic Division
Though many will not be honest and courageous enough to own up to it, much of the division that is causing a rift in our Democracy is stimulated by demographic and ethnic factors. Every since it was projected a few years ago that the combined population of the minorities would out number the white majority of America in less than fifty years, there has been an ever-increasing alarm and racial response by many every since these statistics and projections was revealed. Many who fear that the white majority is going to be superseded in numbers and thus lose their political advantage has given place to white supremacists’ ideologies and propaganda. The Great Insurrection against our Capital building and Democracy that took place on January 6, 2021 (that was instigated by the great lie from the previous President) had its roots in the projected paradigm shift of the population of this nation. It is my prayer and desire as both a Christian and citizen of America that we will overcome the discord and division that exist in this nation due to demographic and ethnic distinctions. At the end of the day, we are all Americans whether we are Native Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans, European Americans, or some other ethnicity. If America is going to be truly great as a nation of people, who descended from indigenous tribes and immigrants from Europe, African slaves, and such like, we must put our demographic and ethnic distinctions aside and be the melting pot that the Almighty (in His providence) called us to be.
Socioeconomic
Chasm
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7)
The final thing that I am going to consider that is a detriment to the strength and survival of our Democracy is the socioeconomic divide that exist between the poor and the rich. Recent statistics revealed some startling facts about the gap that exists between the poor and the rich in America. According to economist, Robert Frank, who is a CNBC consultant and writer, “The wealthiest ten percent of Americans own a record eighty-nine percent of all U.S. stocks.” This report and others validate the fact that the gap between the rich and the poor in America is increasing at an alarming rate. Though I am certainly not a socialist, Marxist, or one who embraces these flawed ideologies that history has proven to fail and oppress the citizens who live under their demands and dictates, our capitalistic Democratic Republic must find a way to quickly narrow the gap between the rich and the poor.
To ignore the problem and outcry of the poor to be given more of a share of the wealth of this nation is a recipe for revolt and ruin to America. The handwriting is on the wall and if the powers that be in both the political and industrial sectors do not implement a more equitable system that will cause more wealth to trickle down to the poor, they will be guilty of destroying our Democracy through both political negligence and corporate greed and selfishness. History gives witness to the fact that these three factors were one of the primary catalysts for the French revolution rise of communism and other socialist ideologies around the world.
