Cartoon 809: Rhetorical Question?

A proposition starts with assumptions. Some assumptions are specified and others are implied. The implied assumptions often get us in trouble. What may be obvious to one person may never be considered relevant by another. What is even worst is an agreed implied assumption that is erroneous. This is the case with Democracy.

We all start with the assumption that participation in the democratic process by the majority of people will result in good decisions. Henry David Thoreau, an American philosopher and poet, questioned the concept of democracy in the 19^th century. He mused, why do we assume a majority opinion will be a good decision? He could look around and see the majority opinion believed in slavery. He could site other examples. Yet, the rightness of the majority is the fundamental assumption of a functioning democracy. This rightness is supposed to translate into electing the best representatives.

The other implied assumption is that people acting in their interests will naturally make good decisions. Yet the world watched the angst over American healthcare. They were mesmerized by Tea Party members speaking out against it that had no health insurance. They were in essence not acting in their best interests. People often do so.

A popular reference to irrational behavior is, “a kid in a candy factory”. You know they are going to try to eat as much as possible and become sick. They know they should not do it. As we look at those in government we are reminded of children. They are like participants in “The Lord of the Flies”. They claim to represent the people, their consistency. But that is a myopic view and denies the greater good. They are unwilling to come together to accomplish larger aims. These elected representatives should be showing them the light. Instead they “preach to the choir” the message they want to hear.

In this century two things will fall in to disrepute. One will be the American form of capitalism and the other will be the delusion of the efficacy of democracy.