The Problem with Democracy
I posted this on Newsvine in response to another article and thought I'd offer it here for commentary as well.
Which is worse: being critical of the leaders of the nation, thereby eroding their legitimacy and popular mandate and fracturing the image of a united country, or being silent and not letting the leaders know that citizens think they're going off in the wrong direction, not participating in the democratic process as it were? Silence also causes the lack of public discourse, ideas aren't discussed, bad ideas aren't shot down, and the populations of the country or other countries doen't get convinced about good ideas.
What if people are being vocal because of their values and morals and standing up for what they believe?
What if people are being vocal because they just want to get bigger tax breaks and not have to do anything?
The issue is pretty complex. In war time -- which the U.S. isn't in legally, as there hasn't been a declaration by Congress, leaving the current legal state of the state in a rather muddy grey status -- the level of self-sensorship should be higher, and things that might warrant criticism otherwise should be swallowed to support a common effort. Yet it is absolutely essential to challenge the leadership on issues -- they have to be able to make their case and justify their actions. It is also essential that the leadership not flip flop according to popular polls, but stick to what they believe to be the best course of action and that the criticism is real, and not made up for populist domestic gain. Contradictory? Yes, but that's life for you.
Regarding patriotism and criticism
Which is worse: being critical of the leaders of the nation, thereby eroding their legitimacy and popular mandate and fracturing the image of a united country, or being silent and not letting the leaders know that citizens think they're going off in the wrong direction, not participating in the democratic process as it were? Silence also causes the lack of public discourse, ideas aren't discussed, bad ideas aren't shot down, and the populations of the country or other countries doen't get convinced about good ideas.
What if people are being vocal because of their values and morals and standing up for what they believe?
What if people are being vocal because they just want to get bigger tax breaks and not have to do anything?
The issue is pretty complex. In war time -- which the U.S. isn't in legally, as there hasn't been a declaration by Congress, leaving the current legal state of the state in a rather muddy grey status -- the level of self-sensorship should be higher, and things that might warrant criticism otherwise should be swallowed to support a common effort. Yet it is absolutely essential to challenge the leadership on issues -- they have to be able to make their case and justify their actions. It is also essential that the leadership not flip flop according to popular polls, but stick to what they believe to be the best course of action and that the criticism is real, and not made up for populist domestic gain. Contradictory? Yes, but that's life for you.