Saving Our Democracy: A Loud Wake Up Call

I had the recent privilege of attending the annual dinner of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights honoring Congressman Barney Frank and National Council of La Raza head Janet Murguia. After affirming the enormous progress our nation has made in overcoming bias against people of color and gay and lesbian people, Wade Henderson, the very thoughtful Leadership Conference head, issued one of the most eloquent and sobering warnings I've heard about the enormous dangers to America's democracy we face today. We must heed and act upon his words.

"What happens this year will determine the future of American democracy for generations to come. This is the first presidential campaign conducted in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United. As with Dred Scott and Plessy v. Ferguson, this is a rare ruling that narrows, not widens, American democracy. The fortunate few with unlimited resources can engage in unlimited campaign spending and big money could shout out the voice of the people. An all-out assault on democracy is underway in America including:

• Anti-voter laws from requiring photo IDs to restricting voter registration that seek to disenfranchise vulnerable voters, including African Americans, Latinos, low-income Americans, young people and senior citizens;
• Attacks on newcomers to our nation, such as the anti-immigrant laws in Arizona and Alabama and copycats all across this country, that codify racial and ethnic profiling as legitimate law enforcement policy;
• Restrictions on the right to organize unions and bargain for a better life and livelihood in the public and private sectors;
• A war on women's rights, from earning equal pay for equal work to making her most personal choices without government interference;
• Efforts to defund, de-unionize, demonize and privatize public services of all kinds, from our public schools to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security; and
• The unprecedented obstruction of judicial nominations that has left the nation with more than 90 current and future vacancies on federal courts, making it almost impossible for most Americans to have their cases heard in a timely manner.

The old saying really is true: Justice delayed is justice deferred. But American progress must never be a dream deferred.

Wade Henderson will be moderating a robust discussion of these issues in a plenary session on Saving Democracy: Creating One America July 24, 2012 at the Children's Defense Fund National Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. Joining him will be Robert Edgar, President and CEO of Common Cause, Barbara Arnwine, Executive Director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, and Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. It is as strong and genuine as its citizens who choose and hold accountable their leaders. Please make sure you do your part to ensure honest and fair elections in our nation this year.

 

Follow Marian Wright Edelman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChildDefender

Comments

[BuckCarson]

01:31 PM on 06/23/2012

Wow. It was not to long ago that I would have read such a column and gotten angry. Now, with renewed clarity on unions, democrats and unions, I could care less. No need to be angry as the progressive persecution posse has shown it's cards - with stunning clarity. That has caused a calm in my spirituality, years coming.

Our only problem in achieving "democracy" is our government. Our government dwarfs Exxon Mobil. Exxon sells gas, our government sells force. Our government expands in virtually every direction it can. Exxon looks for oil and gas.

After smelling the remains of my neighbor after his suicide from IRS liens and family breakup caused by excessive taxation - . I no longer trust nor respect any progressive or democrat.

People your government is out of control. This blub about "democracy" should be a stunning testament to the utterly insular and dangerous culture our government has created.

[Portlyric]

11:16 AM on 06/23/2012

I find it ironic that we are waiting to be rescued by a government whose representatives are so compromised that they are actually waiting for us to rescue them.

[jeb50]

10:00 AM on 06/23/2012

If informed voters don't turn out in Nov. then they will deserve the hell the right wing plans for America.

[mikeydjd83]

09:44 AM on 06/23/2012

"Students 'should study American History in particular, so they can plan the future,' according to Woodrow Wilson, the young President of Princeton University in his 1902 inaugural address. 'Every concrete thing (America) has done has seemed to rise out of some abstract principle, some vision of the mind,' Wilson said."

Interested in saving our democracy? Experience Life among the Ordinary and contemplate The Opportunity to Plan America's Future at

http://lifeamongtheordinary.blogspot.com/2012/04/opportunity-to-plan-americas-future.html

[zilly200]

03:59 AM on 06/23/2012

"Dream deferred" By Langston Hughes - African American, writer and poet.

[zilly200]

03:54 AM on 06/23/2012

If we are to save our country from self-destructing, and the pattern as seen from past civilizations would indicate that we are well on our way out, upon what foundation or basis can we re-construct ourselves so that we can provide a secure future for our children and grand children? It certainly can't be upon any subjective elements or philosophies. It can't be through any group of people who are intellectually better than the average, or by those who are in power or authority. It must come from an outside, objective guide, beyond the pale of mankind, yet pertinent to meeting our needs, giving us guidelines that will insure peace, tranquility, and guidance, so that politically, economically, educationally, spiritually, and morally and ethically we can live, be productive, and secure in ourselves. I believe that the only element that will be able to adequately provide all of this is the Bible and its principle tenants.

John H. Stoll, Ph.D.

[BuckCarson]

01:34 PM on 06/23/2012

As I have aged - I have realized how true this is.

[medialv2]

02:28 AM on 06/23/2012

Build community & reject individualism. Then you have strength.

People staring into their 'smartphones' while worrying if they are being politically correct and fashionable, makes for one weak social change army.

[ObamaSurvivor]

08:06 PM on 06/22/2012

She lost me at "democracy". Is the author talking about Greece?

[SophieJJ99]

09:51 PM on 06/22/2012

Okay, nitpicker. Our form of government is not a pure democracy, it is a republic. However, from Wikipedia - Democracy is an egalitarian form of government in which all the citizens of a nation together determine public policy, the laws and the actions of their state, requiring that all citizens (meeting certain qualifications) have an equal opportunity to express their opinion. If you could, would read the entire piece you will see that she is serious about the threat to our democratic republic. But since she lost you at "democracy", your loss.

[Scurvydog74]

07:51 PM on 06/22/2012

No need to even mention who is responsible for this all-out assault.

[demisfine]

07:22 PM on 06/22/2012

Excellent and well-timed article.
Just one point to make - the quote is "Justice delayed, is justice denied."William Gladstone
British politician (1809 - 1898)
Which makes your points even more dire.