Now What Do We Do?
Is political violence and government dysfunction the new normal?
Charlie Kirk is the latest victim, and perhaps the highest profile victim, of the rising tide of political violence currently afflicting our nation. The follow-on effects of his assassination are still to come and are within our power to shape. What will we choose? More violence? I pray we don’t.
Rather than rise to the occasion and attempt to bring healing to our broken nation, many political leaders continue to spew inflamed rhetoric. In Virginia, the Democratic nominee for Attorney General had text messages exposed where he wished for the death of the Republican Speaker of the House and his children. While his texts were roundly condemned, he remains in the race, with his fellow Democrats rallying to his campaign.
Meanwhile, Republicans and Democrats argue on social media about who is to blame for violence and violent rhetoric that dominates our political discourse these days. It’s easier to point a finger at others than it is to examine our own behavior and try to be better people.
In Washington, the federal government is shut down after Congress failed to agree on how to spend the almost $7 trillion they spend each year. Politicians in both parties think it is to their political benefit for this situation to continue for a while. To be sure, few of us feel the effects of a federal government shutdown in the short term, but the pain will get progressively worse the longer this drags on.
There are serious issues at stake here. The federal government spends well beyond its means, a fact that has been the status quo for decades. A reckoning will come, perhaps soon, and will be very painful for us all. Yet the political will to avoid financial ruin is nowhere to be found.
Our political leaders don’t seem inclined to lead. What do we do now?
Three hundred and seventy-eight years ago, following the defeat of King Charles I, a series of discussions began that, for the first time in English history (and perhaps the first time in world history), considered the views of the common people. These discussions became known as The Putney Debates.
From the 28th October to 9th November 1647, soldiers and officers of Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army, including civilian representation, held discussions on the constitution and future of England.
Should they continue to negotiate a settlement with the defeated King Charles I? Should there even be a King or Lords? Should suffrage (a civil right to vote, known as the franchise) be limited to property-holders? Would democratic changes lead to anarchy?
This historic event saw ordinary soldiers take on their generals to argue for greater democracy and provided a platform for ‘common people’ to make their voices heard. These debates, forced by the Levellers, paved the way for many of the civil liberties we value today.
The “consent of the governed,” an idea ingrained in our American way of thinking, was born in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, in Putney, London, England.
Cromwell’s soldiers began to grasp the power they had and demanded that it be respected. The seeds of the American Revolution and the idea of a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” were planted.
All these years later, and despite the view of some that our nation is the Titanic, uncontrollably headed for an iceberg, we common people retain the power to change the course of our nation. All we need is the will to do it and the fortitude to see it through.
I’ll admit, I can be a bit of a romantic when it comes to the power of ordinary folks to change the world. I do understand the momentous task and years of hard work I’m calling for. It won’t be easy. The odds are against us, and failure may be the result. Perhaps a “peaceful national divorce” or, God forbid, a bloody civil war is inevitable, but shouldn’t we at least try to avoid that fate?
Now what do we do? Instead of waiting for a new, better politician to come along, understand and act upon the power you have as a citizen of this great nation.
Here are a few suggestions I have, in the form of three videos.
Be aware of the lies you are being fed and reject them.
Be different! Stop viewing your neighbors as the problem. Don’t respond in anger. Love your enemies and bless those who curse you.
Understand that our Constitution was constructed to force debate and bring about a resolution, even if temporary, to controversial issues. Don’t vote for the loudest candidate who promises to “fight.” Vote for the candidate who is committed to working within our Constitutional framework to get things done.