U.S. democracy not perfect, still best
My father had a “dicho” — or, in Spanish, a saying with a hint of humor — that I have treasured for many years: “Ni muy muy, ni tan tan.” It is one of those expressions that transcends translation. It means “not too much one way or too much the other way.” It is relevant to what is happening in our country today. The center must hold. It must not be taken over by right- or left-wing extremists.
My father was a man of integrity. He stood by his beliefs not just in words but in his deeds. He volunteered and served in the U.S. Army in World War II as his duty to his country. One time, while working as a carpenter, he quit his job because the construction company where he was employed would not provide water to workers in the summer when temperatures hit a sweltering 100 degrees. He was the sole support of his family of six children and a wife.
In the Reagan era, one political party started tilting too far right by favoring corporations, businesses and interest groups over American citizens and workers, thus consolidating power in the hands of the few. It culminated in the last four years with President Donald Trump taking control of the Republican Party in unexpected ways.
Trump is a latecomer to the GOP. It’s widely reported that Trump registered with the Independence Party in 1999, then as a Democrat in 2001, switching back to Republican in 2012. His love of right-wing extremists, who are so easy to manipulate, ended in the raid of the U.S. Capitol, which ended badly but could have been worse. Actions speak louder than words. The end of democracy was at stake.
Fortunately, the Founding Fathers were geniuses when they came up with separate branches of government, each with their own powers. Imagine the fierce debates among Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others. They did not want to pattern the new government on the patterns of power that prevailed in Europe, which rested with royalty and the church. The right to vote ensured that did not happen. The powers granted to each branch keep the other branches in line. Throughout the years, if one branch sometimes veered too much to one side, it took one of the other branches to step in and balance the power back.
The recent attack on the legislative branch, egged on by Trump’s rhetoric, could have destroyed the balance of power in a dangerous way. It also showed the lack of integrity of legislators like U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, as well as others who were willing to throw out the popular and electoral votes that had been duly certified.
It brings me to another saying: “Del dicho a lo hecho hay un trecho.” Roughly translated: Actions speak louder than words. Too many politicians say and do two different things. Their word is worthless.
After last week’s insurrection, the country seems to be waking up to reality and becoming unified in trying to make things come back to normal. Trump has lost his megaphone. Democracy is alive and well. This period of history shall pass and democracy, as we know it in this country, shall prevail. It is a lesson both parties need to keep in mind and adhere to its principles.
Winston Churchill once said that democracy is not perfect, but it is still the best.