Democracy is fragile. But frail as it may be, you cannot kill it.

[Timebound]

It is not about John Kerry.

Voting is a sacred right that many people do not have across the world. Here in America, we have always bragged on our rights, held up high the American flag for all to see. As our anthem goes, we are the 'land of the free, and the home of the brave.'

But I think if Frances Scott Key could see what was happening today, he'd weep at what we've become.

We no longer know without a doubt that our elections are fair. If we do not choose our own government, we are no longer 'free.' If we are the home of the brave, then why is no Senator 'brave' enough to protest?

Protesting is not the popular thing to do. Likely the one who brings the protest forth will be ridiculed and jeered by the Republican Congress.

But, praytell, I wonder if the founding fathers were jeered by the British Aristocracy when they so boldly declared independance from the British Empire? Obviously, they did not win many popularity contests with the standing government by doing so...

Our Democracy is a very sacred thing because of the men who fought and died to give it to us. The soliders of the Revolutionary War did not have a 'constitution' to fight for. They did not know what the future held for them. They fought because they believed in something. Only one word can sum up what they fought for:

America.

True, it's just a word, but the feelings that word must have stirred! 'America' was a wonderous word to them, a word that had so many meanings all in one beautiful package: Freedom. Liberty. Hope. Valor. Democracy. They were willing to die and bleed for that spirit of 'America'. And many did.

What a radical concept! A nation for the people, governed by the people! There would be no unjust all-powerful king, but instead a leader that the people chose! How would these people choose their leaders and their representatives? Why, they'd vote, of course.

Which brings us back to Frances Scott Key, who waited all night to see if the American flag was still flying in the morning. Before morning, there was a long, deafening silence. The British assult on Baltimore had been abandoned, but Key and his comrades did not know this.

Do you ever wonder what that silence was like? How does it feel to pace back and forth in the seemingly endless darkness, hoping, praying, despairing for the sake of your country? When you can't find any rest because the morning is so close, but not quite here yet? Because you love your country so much, and you don't want to see it die?

We have forgotten the soliders of the Revolutionary War. We have forgotten 'America.' I'm not talking about the United States, I'm talking about that sacred word, that beautiful ideal, 'America.' The one that those soldiers fought and died for.

We are at an important crossroads in American History. Will we take the path of Rome, in which one man changed a Republic into an Empire, or will we remember the true spirit of America? Democracy, like hope, is fragile, and is easily brusied.

But, frail as it may be, you cannot kill it.

You can supress it, you can push it away. You can even give it a new name. But the spirit of that sacred 'America' cannot die.

Today, Congress will meet to certify the election results. Will party loyalty be so fierce as to abandon all morals and principles? Will we betray the soldiers whose spilled blood gave us the right to vote? Or are we too afraid of being 'unpopular'?

Will there be a voice to rise up and say, "This is just not right, and that's reason enough. We must investigate."?

When did it become unpopular to stand up and do the right thing? When did our representatives start worrying more about getting re-elected than carefully guarding the Constitution?

Despite what happens today, we must not give up the fight for free and fair elections. The spirit of 'America' lives in each one of us, and we must guard it fiercly. No matter how unpopular it may be. No matter how dangerous it must be. We must not give up.

Because if we give up, freedom will never again ring the same way it did for Francis Scott Key, on that morning in 1814.

[Angie_White]

1. We can never give up.

I needed to read that. Thanks. :)

[Timebound]

4. Welcome to DU, Angie_White!

Hey, nice of you to join us! :) :hi:

[Angie_White]

7. Thanks! And I think everyone needs to read this.

You hit the nail on the head. :) I still won't be able to sleep tonight, but I feel a little better reading all the encouraging posts floating around.

[Nothing Without Hope]

6. Yes, welcome!

It's one of the functions of a real community to keep each other's spirits up in stressful times. Glad you've joined us.
:hi:

[Angie_White]

8. Thanks!

I'm a long-time lurker, but finally I'm posting. :dem:

[Nothing Without Hope]

9. Well, come on in where it's warm and the company is

always interesting. Even the grumps have their moments!

See you around DU!

[Nothing Without Hope]

2. It CAN die. That's what's scary.

I agree with you:
Despite what happens today, we must not give up the fight for free and fair elections. The spirit of 'America' lives in each one of us, and we must guard it fiercly. No matter how unpopular it may be. No matter how dangerous it must be. We must not give up.

Democracy is hanging by a thread in this country. And it can die. It's happened before in other countries and times. That's one reason why the stakes are so high, the other being that the world really cannot take another illegal Bush Adminstration.

It's amazing, really, how much has been done with the election fraud and voter suppression investigations in just two months. But the work is far from finished, both in getting the truth and in turning this nation back to the Constitution and the rule of law. (Hell, even the Hatch Act!) We have a long way to go and we have to keep our spirits up for the effort no matter how saddened we are on Jan 20 if * is crowned as **.

Good post. It's important for us all to help each other now. And as you can tell from my username, I put a high priority on working to preserve our sense of hope in this struggle to make things right.

Best to you, to all of us.
:hi:

[Patsy Stone]

3. This is beautiful. Thanks for that. n/t

[FreepFryer]

5. Thank you.

Let Freedom Ring.

We Shall Overcome.

One Citizen, One Vote.

E Pluribus Unum.

[ClayZ]

10. I felt like Betsy Ross reading your post!

Thank you so MUCH!

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote. - Benjamin Franklin

[Wilms]

11. "This is just not right, and that's reason enough..."

I love that!:)

[ruthg]

12. well said. I had a dream last night that ...

every Democratic and many repub senators stood up with Jon Conyers. It was gorgeous. Straight out of a Jimmy Stewart movie.


I have never been known to be too terribly pyschic but as my mom was fond of saying "there is a first time for everything"