Fewer idiots, more citizens

[demopolite]

I found this great article on al.com today by Gerald W. Johnson, a professor emeritus of political science at Auburn University:

	Quote:
	The fundamental problem of Alabama politics is that we may have far too many idiots and far too few citizens. Before you rush out to join the "tar and feather him" brigade, let me explain what I mean. Walter C. Parker, professor of education and political science at the University of Washington and author of "Teaching Democracy: Unity and Diversity in Public Life," writes that the Greeks coined the term "idiocy," and its original sense was much different than its contemporary meaning of stupid or mentally deficient. Parker believes the original meaning needs to be revived. I agree, and this article is my attempt to help in this effort. The Greek use of the term "idiocy" referred to private, separate, self-centered or selfish interests. "Idiotic" and "idiot" were terms applied to individuals who "were overly concerned with their own self-interest and ignored the needs of the community." As Wikipedia defines it, "Idiots were seen as having bad judgment in public and political matters." Over time, the term evolved into a description of an individual with overall bad judgment - people who are stupid. Idiots are unaware that their self-interests, including their own privacy and autonomy, are dependent on the community or the public interest. Parker states that idiots act as if "private gain is the goal and the community had better not get in the way." They are either indifferent to public life or even opposed to it. To the Greeks, however, declining to take part in public life was dishonorable and idiotic behavior. Parker notes that the term most often used these days to refer to these individuals is not "idiot" but "taxpayer." The problem is that taxpayers have little to do with democracy. Taxpayers pay money to receive services whether in a democracy, theocracy, plutocracy, aristocracy, monarchy or by varied authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. What taxpayers do not do is govern. Some, if not many, of our wealthiest and poorest pay no taxes, and we got rid of the poll tax a long time ago. Alternatively, citizens govern. In a democracy, the highest public office is "The Office of Citizen." All other officeholders are elected, appointed or otherwise designated to serve in office by citizens through a political process. Unfortunately, even dangerously, the term political connotes, for too many - the idiots - a sinister and crooked part of our lives. Since politicians are political, they, too, are cast into the realm of the bad and ugly. How has it come to be that in our democracy, or, if you are a purist, our democratic republic, that politics and politicians have become bad words? Politics and politicians constitute the means and the process through which a free people govern themselves and shape their own destinies. Yet, we are confronted with candidates who run for public office on a platform of: I am not a politician and I will not engage in politics. How can this be in a democracy whose very essence is a free and open society in which huge and important decisions are made through the political process? Politicians are those political entrepreneurs we elect to work in that process. Interestingly, the roles of a business entrepreneur and a political entrepreneur are quite similar, but are not similarly appreciated. The business entrepreneur is praised when he or she is able to define a market need, marshal the resources required to produce a product or service and successfully deliver it. A political entrepreneur does much the same, but in a public rather than a private market. He or she defines a public need, develops a program or policy that will meet that need, marshals the votes required to adopt that solution and then delivers that product through the public structures. But, we don't much like public entrepreneurs, otherwise known as politicians? Why not? One major reason is, I believe, we confuse the term politics with some other not-so-good terms. We confuse politics with illegal, immoral and unethical behaviors and use these terms almost interchangeably. That is, when a representative breaks the law, that is illegal, not politics. When a representative violates a code of ethics, that is unethical, not politics. When a representative commits an immoral act, that is immoral, not politics. Yet, more often than not, we call all of these politics. There are corrupt physicians who abuse the Medicaid program. However, we do not call the practice of medicine bad because a doctor commits an illegal and corrupt act. There are immoral, corrupt and unethical lawyers, teachers, ministers, professional athletes, and on and on. But we do not say that law or teaching or ministering or athletics are immoral or corrupt or unethical, or even bad. I suspect a part of the problem also lies in the fact we elect our representatives. Since we elect them, placing blame for poor performance is a little tricky. As Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy, and it is us." Winston Churchill said, "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." Democracy is not neat, nor tidy nor efficient. It is just democratic. In spite of its weaknesses and perversities, democracy is the most powerful, productive, envied and just form of government in the world. Politics and politicians are good words. A democratic government and a free people embrace both. The real threat to democratic government comes not from politics, but from the apolitical and the anti-political - the idiots.

Here's the link:

http://www.al.com/opinion/birmingham...710.xml&coll=2

[Kagan]

Great Greek definition of "idiot". I fully agree.
Then again, I can accept the modern definition as well.

Some voters are self-centered and selfish as well. Many put their own interests ahead of what's best for society.

Watch very carefully to what happens with Amendment 2. You'll see that the original Greek definition is correctly applied to today. Amendment 2 will raise taxes on less that 15% of the population. They will stay the same for 85% of the population whose tax dollars are going to support that 15%. It is a fairness tax that sets an already Federal court-ordered minimum barrier that is already met by 85% of the population. Yet, the entire state has to vote on the measure. It will be interesting to see how many of those 85% will vote against Amendment 2; thus agreeing to have more of their local tax dollars distributed to that 15% that refuses to pay. Hmmm....talk about idiots!

Linden and Marengo County are in that 15% who don't pay their fair share and milk the rest of the tax dollars off other areas. Demopolis is in the 85% who already pay more than their share to cover for the rest of us who won't pay. Not only will the numbers be interesting across Alabama, but also in particular boxes located right here at home. Yep, I'll be voting to increase my millage because I'm a citizen, not a Greek idiot.

EDITED TO INCLUDE:
Even if defeated, a tax revenue equivalent will be imposed by the court order. In other words, property values in Linden and rural Marengo County will increase at a greater rate than property in Demopolis. The revenue will come from those who are not presently willing to change. Temporarily it will continue to come from Demopolis until the reassessment of affected areas. This will show just how many Greek idiots and modern idiots are the same people.

[rammajamma]

I never vote to increase taxes.

However, I may be an idiot because I don't understand this amendment.

[RhondaRoo]

I think that with the help of Demopolite and Kagan that I fully understand this amendment now. I will not be an idiot. lol

[Kagan]

True, Roo,
I understand that many who live in Marengo County, but not in Demopolis, will be opposed to Amendment 2 because it will force them to raise their taxes. It is understandable that they ("we" since I live in Linden) would be opposed.

However, by demopolite's rediscovered Greek definition of "idiot", I would be an "idiot" to keep stealing tax dollars from Demopolis to pay for any of the other five schools. That's not being a good citizen.

[demopolite]

	Quote:
	I would be an "idiot" to keep stealing tax dollars from Demopolis to pay for any of the other five schools.

I, however, believe that education should fall "as the dews and the gentle rains" equally upon all children of the state. How is it the fault of a child that they are born into a poor family...and how are we helping the state as a whole to provide them with a faulty education and ensure their reliance upon the system?

[shells]

	Quote:	demopolite
	I, however, believe that education should fall "as the dews and the gentle rains" equally upon all children of the state. How is it the fault of a child that they are born into a poor family...and how are we helping the state as a whole to provide them with a faulty education and ensure their reliance upon the system?

Exactly......the greater good!

[Kagan]

	Quote:	demopolite
	I, however, believe that education should fall "as the dews and the gentle rains" equally upon all children of the state. How is it the fault of a child that they are born into a poor family...and how are we helping the state as a whole to provide them with a faulty education and ensure their reliance upon the system?

You're absolutely right. My wording was quite stilted after I reread it.
Probably due to my total lack of confidence in fellow citizens to do the right. Experience has been a horrible teacher for me.

Sorry for miswording and for my lack of confidence.