Living in a Democracy or an Autocracy
May 16, 2025
What is happening to an America we can believe in? We see examples and reminders every day that we are allowing debased values and goals to undo the progress we have made over the past two centuries as a nation.
Are we willing to sit by and watch what is happening to our state and country and remain silent?
An America we can believe in adheres to the fundamental tenets, rules, procedures, and laws that have governed our democratic republic. They still hold true and still mean something as we function in the public square and in our everyday lives.
Our institutions and their histories still have meaning, value, collective power, and influence.
There is real meaning and we still value representative government, where those elected really believe in respecting and fighting for the issues and concerns of those who voted for them, sent them to do the people’s bidding.
In an America we can believe in, each of us can wear our state and American identity with pride, humility and thankfulness irrespective of skin color, gender, place of birth, social or economic station or political leanings.
An America We Can Believe In (rarrarorro/iStock Images)
The behaviors of the leadership in our state and nation — our governor, the legislature, our president, the halls of Congress — are shining examples to be emulated, duplicated, and cheered on.
In an America we can believe in, there is hope and a positive outlook about what each of us can achieve if we work hard enough.
No matter where we hail from, no matter our circumstances of birth, we have shared experiences that should bind us, not divide us. More importantly, keep us divided.
It really is not about “us” against “them.” If only we could just keep that thought top of mind.
When it comes to what is best for our state or America, it is about building bridges that we can all walk across to achieve the best good for the greatest number.
Does that describe an America we can believe in?
What kind of an America do you want?
We need to have an answer to pass on to our children, our grandchildren, and their children.
Our collective future is dependent on it.
Excerpts from an article that first appeared in The Missouri Independent
Suggested Reading
