DJ is the creator and editor of OK WASSUP! He is also a Guest Writer/Blogger, Professional and Motivational Speaker, Producer, Music Consultant, and Media Contributor. New York, New York USA
Thanks DJ. As always, you’re thoughtful in the delivery of your post and your message.
So please forgive me but today, in particular, I cannot say that I’m feeling “happy” about THIS holiday.
For the first time in my lifetime, I find myself without a president. Never thought I’d see such a day! And then, given the current state of what is happening in America today, “We The People” has now taken on a somewhat different meaning for me.
In Jan. 2017, all of America, and the world, watched Trump (a grotesque creature whose arrogance, hubris, ignorance and vile and corrupt nature has no limits) stroll into the White House (via the EC) and in literally No time at all -and with literally NO opposition- took a sledge-hammer approach to tearing down Our system of “democracy” as he publicly set about doing Russia’s bidding.
It hurts to admit this but Our system of “democracy” no longer seems so “superior” to me now. In fact, given the ease with which Trump is allowed to act with impunity- and total disregard for the U.S. Constitution, the “Rule of Law” and anything else that stands in his way- I’d say Our system of “democracy” has proven to be quite weak.
So I’m pressed to ask myself this question: Has the “great American experiment” failed?
In time….We.Shall.See.
Loading...
Awakening the ‘sleeping giant’
Excerpts:
As Americans head off to Independence Day celebrations, it is hard to ignore that the United States, like much of the world, is experiencing significant upheaval when it comes to the rule of law, and the norms, principles, and values that underlie it.
All is not well in the Union, such that developments that a couple years ago would have been unthinkable now appear on the front pages of American newspapers almost daily.
It does not feel much like the United States, this ill-fitting approach to governance we are trying on. It does not feel like the United States because it is contrary to the principles and governing ideals that were the basis of our declaration of independence and joining together as a country in the first place.
Nevertheless, the so-called “sleeping giant” of the American public has yet to be roused to defend one of our culture’s greatest creations and contributions to the world, our rule of law and the system of democratic governance it underpins.
The erosions to the rule of law we are experiencing raise deeply concerning threats to our society in their own right, so much so that we must consider what it will take to invigorate the populace to defend and restore our constitutional values, notwithstanding our dissatisfactions. Must we experience a catalytic event that would galvanize public opinion to defend the rule of law and provoke change? One would hope not, but somehow we must avert the risk of becoming accustomed to a very different, starkly hollowed out vision of governance in our country. […] Ulysses Smith, Opinion Contributor for The Hill, July 4, 2018
Send an email
Thanks DJ. As always, you’re thoughtful in the delivery of your post and your message.
So please forgive me but today, in particular, I cannot say that I’m feeling “happy” about THIS holiday.
For the first time in my lifetime, I find myself without a president. Never thought I’d see such a day! And then, given the current state of what is happening in America today, “We The People” has now taken on a somewhat different meaning for me.
In Jan. 2017, all of America, and the world, watched Trump (a grotesque creature whose arrogance, hubris, ignorance and vile and corrupt nature has no limits) stroll into the White House (via the EC) and in literally No time at all -and with literally NO opposition- took a sledge-hammer approach to tearing down Our system of “democracy” as he publicly set about doing Russia’s bidding.
It hurts to admit this but Our system of “democracy” no longer seems so “superior” to me now. In fact, given the ease with which Trump is allowed to act with impunity- and total disregard for the U.S. Constitution, the “Rule of Law” and anything else that stands in his way- I’d say Our system of “democracy” has proven to be quite weak.
So I’m pressed to ask myself this question: Has the “great American experiment” failed?
In time….We.Shall.See.
Awakening the ‘sleeping giant’
Excerpts:
As Americans head off to Independence Day celebrations, it is hard to ignore that the United States, like much of the world, is experiencing significant upheaval when it comes to the rule of law, and the norms, principles, and values that underlie it.
All is not well in the Union, such that developments that a couple years ago would have been unthinkable now appear on the front pages of American newspapers almost daily.
It does not feel much like the United States, this ill-fitting approach to governance we are trying on. It does not feel like the United States because it is contrary to the principles and governing ideals that were the basis of our declaration of independence and joining together as a country in the first place.
Nevertheless, the so-called “sleeping giant” of the American public has yet to be roused to defend one of our culture’s greatest creations and contributions to the world, our rule of law and the system of democratic governance it underpins.
The erosions to the rule of law we are experiencing raise deeply concerning threats to our society in their own right, so much so that we must consider what it will take to invigorate the populace to defend and restore our constitutional values, notwithstanding our dissatisfactions. Must we experience a catalytic event that would galvanize public opinion to defend the rule of law and provoke change? One would hope not, but somehow we must avert the risk of becoming accustomed to a very different, starkly hollowed out vision of governance in our country. […] Ulysses Smith, Opinion Contributor for The Hill, July 4, 2018