Want Democracy? Then Practice It!

It is so easy to be lazy. And it is so easy to blame others.

It seems to me that too many people these days are lazy (at least in the US). And too many people are ready to blame others rather than take responsibility themselves.

All of us can control and are responsible for our own destinies.

Who are we to force democracy on others? Forcing others to practice democracy is by its very nature undemocratic. Would the US have become a successful democracy if some other country had come in and told us we had to conform or else? Hell no!

We don't want others to tell us what to do. Others don't want us to tell them what to do. Democracy by its very nature is rooted in the people. As such it has to grow from the people. Power to the people!

It is far more powerful for us to teach by example. It is far more effective to nurture and grow democracy through education. This takes patience. It takes time. But in the long run it can be successful. And the results are much more likely to sustain themselves.

For democracy (as well as our environment, efficient use of resources, and our world), the US was wrong to invade Iraq.

Who are we to force democracy on others when we oppress others and make them too afraid to speak out?

Be brave, speak out, and be heard. Free speech is necessary for democracy to thrive and spread. If you don't stand up for free speech, who will? It is a requirement for democracy. So do it!

Who are we to force democracy on others when so many of us choose not to participate in our own democracy?

If you really believe in democracy, prove it -- go vote!

Sincerely,
Tim Oey
Sunnyvale, CA

Copyright 2006 Tim Oey

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