My friend Nick and I were discussing a class he was taking on organizations. One thing he learned is that an organization is more than any one person. It is a set of activities and patterns. The organization must be bigger than even the person who founded it in order for the organization to endure. If the success or failure is solely contingent on one person, then when that person becomes unable to run the organization, it will die. As I thought about our discussion, it occurred to me that the principles that determine an organization’s success must also determine the success of our nation. When we encounter a national crisis or difficult constitutional question, we tend to look to our founding fathers for the answer. We cite their writings and speeches as support for our chosen solution to the situation. Their advice is valuable and should be considered, but we must realize that the principles that govern our nation are bigger than even the founding fathers. Through out our history, the leaders that followed Washington and Jefferson have used the original founders as guides in their decisions; but, at the same time, they realized that they could improve upon what the founders had accomplished. Over the past 200 years, slavery has been abolished, and equal rights have been assured for all citizens. We now need to continue the legacy begun over 200 years ago and make this nation better than it has ever been.
The philosophy of Politivote plays a part in accomplishing this. With each vote we cast, we have the power to influence our representatives and make a positive impact on our nation. As more and more people register with and use the site, the contribution of Politivote to the betterment of our nation will increase.
Posts Tagged ‘Philosophy’
A Key to our Nation’s Survival
Saturday, February 27th, 2010The Politivote Philosophy Put into Action
Thursday, November 5th, 2009Today, an article appeared in the New York Times on a protest being staged by conservatives against legislation proposed before Congress. “Kill the Bill,” was the refrain repeated over and over by protesters. These protesters are putting the philosophy of Politivote into action.
I have always heard that the lack of participation in politics by the citizens of this country is staggering. The space voter turn-out in elections has been seen as evidence of this political apathy. I am encouraged by the fact that people are being proactive by taking the time to make their voice heard in an issue that matters to them. I believe that this participation is evidence that people care about this country and about making a difference. While I might not agree with some of their opinions, the mere fact that they are willing to articulate them shows that citizens of this country are concerned. The worse thing you can do is to remain silent on issues that matter. This brings to mind a conversation I had with Nick (one of the founders of Politivote). He told me that he observed a gay and lesbian demonstration, and what impressed him about this demonstration was that the people did not feel they had a voice, and they wanted to make their voice heard. More and more, I have the impression that this is happening with the American people in general. There is a sense that the American people have been silent for so long, and now, they want their representatives to hear their voice.
Politivote has a role to play in the political awakening this country is experiencing. Not only do we provide an instrument to vote on the bills, we provide access to the bills themselves. People can go and read a bill and be informed in all the particulars of the bill and not have someone interpret it for them. This is another crucial component of democracy. Not only do the people have a voice, but it is an informed voice.
Source:
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/on-the-hill-protesters-chant-kill-the-bill/#comment-52481