The Open Space of Democracy

I think that my response to the Palestinian election returns is not different from many other U.S.ers ignorant of much beyind what we are fed by the media. "Huh?" Hamas apparently is a political party one with avibrant following. Many of us only know Hamas as a "terrorist" organization responsible for suicide bombings. We do not understand how an organization connected to violence against civilians can be so popular.

Pondering this question I did the appropriate thing in every situation--walk a mile in another's moccasins. I wonder how the Arab world fealt when Ariel Sharon, a convicted war criminal, was elected Prime Minister. Or how many in Latin America must feel about the veneration of Ronald Reagan: the man who was president when the United States was convicted of being a terrorist state after mining the harbor of Panama City. In the U.S. free market conservative cannot comprehend the international popularity of Hugo Chavez. To quote one of my favorite Simpsons nerds "This is the life we have chosen".

By choosing democracy we accept that many of us will have to live with a large amount of incredulity. We spend most of our political lives wondering what the heck other people are thinking. Most of us make political decisions based on what we believe is right. Our definition of right is usually what seems best for ourselves and our loved ones.

Where does this leave us? We find that rather than existing in some utopian state of Vox Populi, Vox Dei our lives are a caucophony of angels and demons (not intended as a Dan Brown reference) competing for our votes and trust. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Contrary to popular belief I do not think that a properly functioning democracy requires that participants leave their religious, ethnic, or geographic identity at the door. Rather I think that the only way democracy can function is if participants bring their identity to the table with the agenda of determining how they are to live with people of other identities.

Citizens of a democracy must accept that we will live in times when it is not our definition of truth that holds sway. We must practice patience and diligence. We must accept majority rule in our own and other countries while working for greater justice and cooperation. Democracy's do not have the right to forcible remove the democratic leaders of other lands (contra Mr. Robertson). But we do have the responsibility to not settle for anything less than equal access to whatever decision making mehanisms different societies utilize.

In democracy there is no easy comfort, no accepted yardstick of truth, and no substitute for justice. As we look out on the open space of democracy; this land we call home. We see few faces similar to our own (no matter who we are) instead we see strangers and friends, enemies and compatriots all attempting to make a home on this world. Togethor we continue our pilgrimage towards something or maybe nothing. One thing is certain the only way we will get anywhere is togethor. And maybe if we are traveling togethor, all the time completely befuddled by others choices and values, we are already there.