I have
been observing the conflicts around the world and as a result of my unique position
to view international policy I have to ask many questions about the intention
of the legislative process worldwide.
There is an extraordinary amount of hot button issues and conflicts in
the world today. There are wars,
there are social conflicts, there are cultural and religious conflicts, and
there are more legal conflicts than one can count. Our governments through executive policy, foreign policy and
the legislative process attempts to resolve challenges and conflicts by
governing, but at times I can’t help but observe that it is not always the
intent to govern but rather to control.
What is the difference between governing and controlling and are they
really that separate?
I
am privileged to be born in the United States, in a country where Democracy and
the democratic process is the foundation of our government. I am an open minded individual and I
have traveled to over fifty countries in my adult life. I have studied various forms of
governments and the political process and it is my belief that humans are best
when they live in a free and open society that provides a path for their voices
and choices to be heard and unrestricted.
Unfortunately not all countries and world leaders feel the same and not
all populations have the opportunity and freedoms to express themselves
freely. This leaves us without
sovereignty over our personal decision-making process and subsequently results
in us being in a position of being controlled and not governed. Without personal sovereignty there
cannot be Democracy. When
governments choose through the legislative process or executive order to exert
control over our individual right to our personal lives, choices and decisions…….Democracy
fails! When individuals exert
their voices openly without influence or restriction of the state, church or
other external pressures then and only then can Democracy flourish for all
people.
History
has proven that when governments govern, providing paths of protection from
outside aggressors, providing rules and organized processes that promote the
expansion of economic opportunity and develop systems that incorporate the
influence of the individual then we all succeed collectively. However, when government extends its
influence over our personal sovereignty then society develops discord and
individuals resist. At times this
results in a much greater dynamic than a simple protest, it can and at times
results in conflicts and even wars!
When government over reaches……people die. First and foremost we are individuals with basic human
rights and dignities that should not be impeded by government or outside
sources. We are all created equal
not only in the eyes of the law but also in the image of God. It is the job of governments to protect
those basic human rights, to protect our individual sovereignty not only from
outside sources but also from government itself. Laws that restrict any segment of the population or laws
that lack support for basic human equality are not about its intention to
govern but it’s intention to control.
Democracy
requires the participation of its people individually and works best when
everyone participates fully.
Unfortunately we allow others to speak for us at times and as a result
control our individual sovereignty, our individual basic right as a human being. Regardless of the type of government
that governs where you live every individual has a voice. Every voice must be heard. Every opportunity to participate in the
governing process must be exercised, otherwise you submit to the control of
others. Democracy allows for your
individual participation but it is your responsibility to participate. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD! Use your vote, use your influence as a
sovereign individual and above all, use your voice.
Do
not be Controlled……be Governed!
