I’d like explore a couple of my favorite topics, patriotism and politics. Some would say they are not congruent. I submit that they are.
In the month of September, we pause to remember a cowardly act of terrorism. On Sept. 11, 2001, our very fiber of freedom was cut to the quick. Interestingly, our political way of life went on. How are these two subjects intertwined? Well, in November, citizens in many municipalities in Indiana will have the privilege of voting to elect representatives to govern us. We must never forget that a group of thugs tried to stamp out America’s lamp of freedom. It has been almost two decades ago. But we should daily thank God that he did not allow this to happen.
Elections can be strange and intimidating. Our country was founded on Judeo-Christian values. We as Americans should have morality and resilience at the very core of our being. Let me ask you a question: When was the last time you voted? When was the last time you prayed for our country? Could you name the men and women who represent you on the various local councils?
I am tired of the old adage that says, “It doesn’t matter, because they are all crooks.”
Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill is credited with saying that “all politics is local.” What does this mean? It simply means that if one wants good governance, it must start by all of us being informed about our local candidates. It means that we as intelligent people should be able to look through the hoopla and wild claims.
I don’t care whether you are Republican, Democrat or independent. Regardless of what some say, we must never allow the terrorists to win the battle. We simply must be an informed electorate.
Looking back at the tragedy of 9/11, we can now clearly see what Osama bin Laden wanted. His thugs clearly wanted to disrupt our democratic way of life. George W. Bush had only been our president for approximately nine months. I suggest that bin Laden misunderstood us Americans by underestimating our resolve as a nation.
Currently there is an attack on the Electoral College. This usually happens on the heels of close elections. According to a recent article in Imprimis, (published by Hillsdale College), there was a time when the Electoral College was not controversial. However in 1876, there was a messy election. That was the first time in which a presidential candidate won the electoral vote but not the popular vote. Republican Rutherford B. Hayes defeated Democrat Samuel J. Tilden. Tilden led Hayes by more than 250,000 votes. Initially, Tilden received 184 electoral votes, (one shy of the majority needed then to win the election), and Hayes received 165. That election was one of the most controversial in American history. Hayes ultimately was awarded 20 contested electoral votes, giving him a one-vote margin in the Electoral College.
After the election, Congress established an electoral commission to investigate the 1876 election. The election was awarded to Hayes in early March 1877. This was the first time in history in which there was talk of abolishing the way we choose our president. There are pros and cons for abolishing the Electoral College. But I say we should not abolish it. Our founding fathers were smart enough to know that as long as there is a United States of America, we will always have disproportionate pockets of population.
We must ask ourselves the question: Why would anyone want to run for a political office? Is it truly greed? Is it a sense of wanting to be popular? Or just perhaps it could be a deeply rooted sense of giving back something of value to our great country.
State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell is a great example of this. Kelly’s mother instilled this love of our state, our country, and the need to repay via service. Kelly is just one of many in government that have this attitude.
So is patriotism and politics congruent? I submit they are. What the terrorists attempted to wipe out almost two decades ago still survives. Our America is not perfect. We know this. However, with political leaders from President Washington to our men and women who govern a free society, we are truly blessed.
Noe all of us can be a John F. Kennedy or a Kelly Mitchell. But I would like to leave you with JFK’s famous quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
C.O. Montgomery of New Palestine is a former teacher, Sugar Creek Township trustee and co-director of the Hancock County Character Council. Send comments to dr-editorial@green fieldreporter.com.
