The Same Subject Continued: Citizenship

To the Citizens of the Several States,

            In the last essay I attempted to identify the primary Weakness of the Nation, and propose the necessary Solution to the issue. It will be curious to some that, what I have recognized as our Common Weakness, I will now contend is also our Maximum Strength. This should not come as much of a surprise. A balance of Forces is as recognizable in Human Nature, as it is in Nature Herself. It is as delicate as it is chaotic, serene as it is turbulent, and tranquil as it is spirited.

            Herein lies the Strength of our Citizenship: Our innate ability to Maintain the Balance of Forces by the sound of our Voice. In America, the one Right that we Understand and Defend most strenuously, is our Right to Free Speech. It is the subject of numerous cases in our Courts, and some Citizens dedicate their entire lives to its defense. It is the means by which we communicate to Our Government our Intent, and the means by which the Democratic portion of our System functions.

            The events in Arizona have brought to light certain Portions of the Population, who are willing to suggest, that somehow our “polarized” and “vitriolic” speech constitutes a Weakness in this process. I reject this notion outright. The previous essay should confirm my belief that we should be Rational in our discourse, but the Irrational will always exist, and it serves a very specific purpose in a Free and Democratic Society. To stifle and suppress hateful or irate discourse is to rob these Individuals of their Voice. It creates an atmosphere of resentment. Further, it pushes these ideas into an undercurrent where they cannot be Seen and Heard by the Public at large. We should look no further than the campaign and election of our first African-American President, to understand what an Era living under the Veil of Political Correctness caused us to ignore.

            The Multitude of voices is what holds the Balance. Our Nation should not be one that unquestionably salutes the flag, and claims an air of Patriotic superiority. In the same breath, neither should our Nation be one that Distrusts the Government to the point of capricious scrutiny. The fact that both these views stand on Equal footing is what makes the Nation strong, and the real Truth is, that most of us end up in the Center. Without the Balance of all, the Scale of Discourse does not exist, and we end up tipping into Tyranny.

The Strength of our Union is in our Voice, and the Balance therein. We can Achieve and Accomplish a great deal when we decide to use it. Much can be Attained and Undertaken when it is put to specific use. To be a Citizen is to use this Voice, and the Information Revolution spawned by the Internet has Strengthened this ability to be heard. Even when we assume no one hears it. 

~Publius