majority

I visited a man as a chaplain, who said to me, "If Obama gets elected, we won't even be a democracy in four years."  All kinds of things went through my mind, but my role was as his chaplain in his grief, and I said nothing.

It is indicative of a mentality, I believe.  When the majority of power and wealth (not of number) feels that their unchecked greed is threatened, then the oligarchic system is threatened.  When that happens, the majority of power tries to use fear, the manipulation of the economic system, the manipulation of the electoral system and any other means by which to get those who are under their power (and wealth) to restore them to unaccountability and their status beyond scrutiny.  Blatant lies about those who see it a different way, accusations about their character, the questioning of their patriotism and plain old hateful words and actions are not beneath them.

Our system is an oligarchy, geared to keep the majority in power and wealth, in power and wealth.  If it were a pure, instead of "relative" democracy, the majority of ALL would be the THE consideration.  We would not have an electoral college, which is designed to help those in power and wealth stay there.  We would have EVERY vote count, especially in this instant information age.  We would not try to disenfranchise some voters among "those people", but value the participation of ALL in our democracy as a unified country.  We would not confuse unchecked, unregulated and subsidized capitalism (greed) for democracy.

I think we could very much afford to be a little bit less like "this" democracy, and be more democratic in our practice.  I KNOW we could be more compassionate and inclusive in the power and wealth department.

The lies and fear are working wonders at rallying those with the power and wealth.  The question is, at this time of possibilities, will those who want a true democracy for the WHOLE majority of citizens, one with equitable treatment and equality for ALL the people rally?

If 1% has 40% of the nation's wealth (and they do), they may be a majority in power and wealth, but not in number.  They are the minority, if we will stop blaming and scapegoating each other and unite for the sake of equity, equality and compassion.  Yes, I think we could afford to be a little less like THIS democracy, and what it has become, four years from now.

Pastor Jamie