As President Clinton visits China during this week leading up to Independence Day, a brief look at the different forms of government is warranted.
This week is America’s biggest celebration of freedom and liberty. One of the keys to the success of America’s experiment on democracy has been its emphasis on government by the people, of the people and for the people. When action is taken by the government, it usually represents the will of a large majority of the people. When it does not, people know that by peacefully and lawfully organizing themselves, they can make an appeal to justice to remedy the situation.
However, just because democracy and representation is the right way, it does not mean it is the easy way.
In a democracy, rarely will any thought be expressed or feeling be shared that does not create conflict with another person. In a democracy, people can stand touching noses for weeks on end and never see eye to eye. In a democracy, the right to choose our own path is a right that is part of our collective conscience.
During his visit, Clinton congratulated China for beginning to allow some regions to elect local leaders. For a government that in the past largely dictated the lifestyles of its people instead of letting the people lead their own lives, (and is guilty of human-rights violations even now) this is a positive step in the right direction.
While China takes a small step forward in the area of representation, are Americans stepping forward or sliding backward?
Voter turnout in recent years has been dismal. In the recent primary elections, less than 20 percent of registered voters showed up at the polls. In a sense, America is letting itself lose its own freedom. It is letting the will of a minority decide how the majority will live.
Although Americans champion change overseas, it seems that here in the homeland our bark for freedom is stronger than our bite.
As President Clinton pointed out in his address at Beijing University, China has taught America about democracy before. Maybe that lesson should be relearned.
President Clinton told the Chinese, “From the windows of the White House, where I live in Washington D.C., the monument to our first President, George Washington, dominates the skyline. It is a very tall obelisk. But very near this large monument there is a small stone which contains these words: ‘The United States neither established titles of nobility and royalty, nor created a hereditary system. State affairs are put to the vote of public opinion.’
“This created a new political situation, unprecedented from ancient times to the present. How wonderful it is. Those words were not written by an American. They were written by Xu Jiyu, governor of Fujian Province, inscribed as a gift from the government of China to our nation in 1853.
“I am very grateful for that gift from China. It goes to the heart of who we are as a people the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the freedom to debate, to dissent, to associate, to worship without interference from the state. These are the ideals that were at the core of our founding over 220 years ago.”
The Universe encourages all Americans to celebrate freedom and independence not only this Saturday, but again in November on Election Day and anytime their voices need to be heard.
