By Bernard Rowan
There's much foment in America these days. We're grappling with incidents of the autocratic age. Still dealing-and-not-dealing with COVID and emerging vaccine-busting variants, Americans have lost patience with precautions. Guns are everywhere, but we're treated to a further promotion of gun culture by a Supreme Court enthralled with its new variety of jurisprudence. There is now the reality of one mildly progressive but limited gun law.
Next up, the court has just overturned Roe v. Wade, guaranteeing new violence against women and between those for and against this upending of settled precedent. When even members of the Supreme Court speak about the court's politicization, one should take great pause. The country faces rising inflation, consumer apprehension, high fuel prices, and concerns about recession.
We're also running low on infant formula and women's feminine products it seems. Many of us haven't recovered from COVID as a time of economic challenge, only to face new personal economic fears, rising costs, and continued stagnancy in real wage levels. Life is good, if one is rich. The Great Resignation is in effect, with instability and uncertain gains for workers and employers alike.
The U.S. continues to support the Ukrainian cause. Today's stories highlight Russia's gains, Russia's alliance with China, and all that unremitting suffering for the people of Ukraine following billions in U.S. aid. Uneasy domestic conditions aren't a recipe for continuing such effort.
We're amid rising events for midterm elections. I don't envy Biden or the Democrats. Few presidents and their parties make gains at midterm. Quite the opposite. Trump and his supporters are busy building on red state rollbacks to voting rights. Many candidates pledge loyalty to Trump.
CNN continues to make Trump relevant with nonstop coverage, followed by nearly every major network and publishing concern. He's bound to run again, and his acolytes. "Real conservatives" don't take much heart with Pence scapegoating Biden like a sophomore and worrying about the future of their party.
America is a grand experiment, and by no means one guaranteed of permanent success. A democracy based on laws needs vigilant voters, their active vigilance. This principally means involvement in the federal government through voice, voting, and pressuring lawmakers to act in their interests. Involvement in party organizations and interest groups matters.
Unfortunately, Trump's strategy is to sow the seeds of cynicism. Cynicism poisons a democracy, as it deters people from participation, and it inclines the registered not to vote. That leaves government to those with hardline sympathies, including those who support despicable causes. Like raiding the U.S. Capitol.
Not voting is the single biggest threat to American democracy these days. With so much at stake, too many aren't willing to vote, from the comfort of their homes or at the polling station. Watch a smattering of ads for candidates. The focus on personalities and accusations predominates. What does voter education matter if it's all about who we like or don't as people and their backgrounds as personalities go? Demagogues prefer personalities to positions on issues.
We need a democratic renaissance to put down the age of autocracy. South Koreans do this well, perhaps because of the different origins of Korean democracy. I marvel at the way Koreans of all political points of view "go to the streets" but also go to the polls. This reflects the heritage of a democracy that emerged through a movement of the young and engaged.
There are forces internal to autocratic political leadership and external enemies of democracy working to stifle the passion for participation. However, nothing good comes without investment in active involvement for a democracy. Here's hoping that those disappointed or pleased with the current waves in American life will exercise the right they've inherited, through blood, sweat, and tears. Vote. Join and support with time and scarce income the organizations that speak to one's interests.
Support the party and candidates who represent best what serves one's interests, passions, and opinions. Resist the tide of cynicism that is one face of autocracy today. We must face democracy's real enemies, as they have taken heart of late and will continue to gain ground without action to support America as a living democracy.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is the associate provost for contract administration and a professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and a former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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Next up, the court has just overturned Roe v. Wade, guaranteeing new violence against women and between those for and against this upending of settled precedent. When even members of the Supreme Court speak about the court's politicization, one should take great pause. The country faces rising inflation, consumer apprehension, high fuel prices, and concerns about recession.
We're also running low on infant formula and women's feminine products it seems. Many of us haven't recovered from COVID as a time of economic challenge, only to face new personal economic fears, rising costs, and continued stagnancy in real wage levels. Life is good, if one is rich. The Great Resignation is in effect, with instability and uncertain gains for workers and employers alike.
The U.S. continues to support the Ukrainian cause. Today's stories highlight Russia's gains, Russia's alliance with China, and all that unremitting suffering for the people of Ukraine following billions in U.S. aid. Uneasy domestic conditions aren't a recipe for continuing such effort.
We're amid rising events for midterm elections. I don't envy Biden or the Democrats. Few presidents and their parties make gains at midterm. Quite the opposite. Trump and his supporters are busy building on red state rollbacks to voting rights. Many candidates pledge loyalty to Trump.
CNN continues to make Trump relevant with nonstop coverage, followed by nearly every major network and publishing concern. He's bound to run again, and his acolytes. "Real conservatives" don't take much heart with Pence scapegoating Biden like a sophomore and worrying about the future of their party.
America is a grand experiment, and by no means one guaranteed of permanent success. A democracy based on laws needs vigilant voters, their active vigilance. This principally means involvement in the federal government through voice, voting, and pressuring lawmakers to act in their interests. Involvement in party organizations and interest groups matters.
Unfortunately, Trump's strategy is to sow the seeds of cynicism. Cynicism poisons a democracy, as it deters people from participation, and it inclines the registered not to vote. That leaves government to those with hardline sympathies, including those who support despicable causes. Like raiding the U.S. Capitol.
Not voting is the single biggest threat to American democracy these days. With so much at stake, too many aren't willing to vote, from the comfort of their homes or at the polling station. Watch a smattering of ads for candidates. The focus on personalities and accusations predominates. What does voter education matter if it's all about who we like or don't as people and their backgrounds as personalities go? Demagogues prefer personalities to positions on issues.
We need a democratic renaissance to put down the age of autocracy. South Koreans do this well, perhaps because of the different origins of Korean democracy. I marvel at the way Koreans of all political points of view "go to the streets" but also go to the polls. This reflects the heritage of a democracy that emerged through a movement of the young and engaged.
There are forces internal to autocratic political leadership and external enemies of democracy working to stifle the passion for participation. However, nothing good comes without investment in active involvement for a democracy. Here's hoping that those disappointed or pleased with the current waves in American life will exercise the right they've inherited, through blood, sweat, and tears. Vote. Join and support with time and scarce income the organizations that speak to one's interests.
Support the party and candidates who represent best what serves one's interests, passions, and opinions. Resist the tide of cynicism that is one face of autocracy today. We must face democracy's real enemies, as they have taken heart of late and will continue to gain ground without action to support America as a living democracy.
Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is the associate provost for contract administration and a professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and a former visiting professor at Hanyang University.
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