"The essence of the American Revolution -- the principle on which this country was founded -- is that direct participation in political activity is what makes a free society." -- Robert F. Kennedy
On yet another brilliant thread, H2O Man provided this striking quote from RFK. This is a different angle on “If you ain’t part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” In this case, Bobby Kennedy referred to “direct participation in political activity” that “makes a free society” as the ESSENCE and “the PRINCIPLE on which this country was founded.”
This is the essence and the principle that was “in the air” during the 60’s and early 70’s. This is the essence and the principle that has been neglected in the 90’s and 00’s.
If we understand and agree with the Kennedy quote-- and if we care about a free society-- then we understand that it depends on our direct participation and agree to be politically active.
Direct participation and political action can be as simple as paying attention. (see H2O Man’s link below for more ideas) However, the essence and the principle of RFK’s quote and the free society he is invoking is that we EMBODY that essence and principle in our daily lives-- how we live, how we treat others, how we empower ourselves and our community, how we keep in mind the big picture while attending to the up close and personal.
And if we do that, then there is no excuse for not voting. None. Apathy is not an option. Nihilism is an indulgence.
Then there is no excuse for ignoring that our daily lifestyle choices have a powerful impact on the larger world.
There is no excuse for always blaming the scoundrels in political office without facing our responsibility to demand that they do the right thing and represent the people.
If we understand that essence and believe in that founding principle, we don’t wait to be led and we don’t wait for someone to do it first and we don’t blame others without looking in the mirror and we don’t moan about a future we don’t want to live in while doing nothing to prevent it.
"The essence of the American Revolution -- the principle on which this country was founded -- is that direct participation in political activity is what makes a free society."
Bobby didn’t mean some of us, a few of us. He meant all of us. THAT is what makes a free society.
:patriot: :grouphug: :kick:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1483158&mesg_id=1483158H2O Man
Setting Dick Cheney's Picnic Table
* Robert F. Kennedy; quote from "Make Gentle the Life of This World," by Maxwell Taylor Kennedy; Broadway Books; 1998