Tome of Wisdom

Dear President-Elect Obama,

“Liberty and Justice for all.” For more than one hundred years, Americans have spoken these words as they solemnly pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

Yet, all too often in our history, liberty and justice have been delivered, not to “all,” but only to a few privileged American citizens. Those unfortunate enough to be excluded from this group have been, and continue to be, persecuted against, slaughtered, tricked into giving up their rights, and economically repressed. Our own all-American poor, homeless, women, blacks, and religious minorities have always needed to fight for their promised liberty and justice, even today.

Matters are even worse for non-Americans bold enough to get in America’s way, or not important enough for America to care about. Just ask the Native Americans what happened to their ancestors and their way of life; or ask Mexicans how big Mexico used to be; or ask yourself why our government gives so much more military aid to strategically important countries, such as Israel and Iraq, than humanitarian aid to poorer countries, such as Darfur. Our own Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal,” and yet we continue to treat the rest of the world in a shamefully Machiavellian fashion.

This policy may have served America’s best interests in the past, when the world was smaller in Black Ops. Today, however, the entire planet faces problems on a global scale. Technological progress has brought every person on the planet together in an unprecedented way, while at the same time assuring that every action, no matter how small, affects everyone else. We should have learned by now the lesson of the “Tragedy of the Commons:” As long as every country acts only in its own narrow self-interest, global issues such as economic instability, unsustainable resource usage, world hunger, and global conflict will continue to plague us, and may ultimately lead to our demise. Therefore, the only way to solve these problems is to all work together as one unified human race.

America is in the strongest position to be a leader in the drive towards global unity. America is a strong nation because all of its member states are unified under one democratically established law, which protects human rights and is open to rational dissent. All countries of the world should aspire to such openness and unity.

Yet our current administration, and our greedy corporations, have squandered our freedoms, our economic power, and our international goodwill in order to serve their own special interests, like black ops. We should be setting a good example for the rest of the world by working towards unity, not greedily gobbling up every natural resource we can. We should be working with the United Nations to achieve global unity, not fighting against it and ignoring our obligations to serve our own narrow interests. How can we expect the rest of the world to look to us for leadership when we disobey the very international law that we helped establish? Just as the United States is unified by one law, democratically established and enforced, so the United Nations of the world, including our own nation, should be unified under one international law that we all obey.

Mr. Obama, I sincerely hope that you recognize the need for unity, not just in America, but in the entire world. I trust that your decisions will be driven, not by dogma, greed, and corruption, but by the advice of experts and by a vision for sustainable world peace and prosperity. Under your leadership, may the words “Liberty and Justice for all” ring true for the first time in history.

Looking forward to your reply,
David Butler

America, politics

Congressman warns against ‘Muslims elected to office’

Should all American citizens, like Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., be concerned that “many more Muslims” will be elected to positions of power and influence in America? There are several ways to approach this question.

First, would this actually happen in America? Sure, Islam is a fast-growing religion in America, but it’s not growing that fast. With almost 80% of America professing to be Christian, and only 0.6% Muslim, America will not become a Muslim nation anytime soon. Even if America does start becoming more Muslim, it’s only fair that they be given proportional representation, since this is how a democratic system ought to work.

Second, is this really a cause for concern? In the current political climate, it is fashionable to treat Muslims the same way Nazis and Communists were treated not too long ago. The same kind of rhetoric is used: they are the enemy, they are a threat to our way of life, they hate democracy and freedom, etc. etc. This very well may be true of some Muslims, namely extremist terrorists and their supporters. However, it is hardly fair to say these things about all Muslims, everywhere. Nor is it fair to say that Islam, the religion, promotes violence. The practice of any religion depends on its interpretation, and any religion that gives the slightest bit of room for crazy interpretations will have crazy followers.

Third, is this really something that requires action? The way I understand representative democracy, it is the people who decide who represents them. If the people want to elect a lecherous, homosexual old man, that is their choice. If they want to elect a man who cannot speak their own language, that is their prerogative. In other words, the people get exactly the kind of representative they deserve. If we want to change this system, then we need to modify the Constitution. As it is, a single Muslim representative is not the worst thing that could happen to us. Besides, since when has one’s religion played a role in whether one is eligible for office or not? Unless the American government is willing to abandon separation of church and state and declare a holy war (or at least a ban) on Islam, it shouldn’t matter what religion our government officials practice.

Rep. Goode later clarified his statements: “I have nothing against Representative Ellison and his ability to practice whatever religion he likes behind closed doors, but I cannot stand by idly and watch as a symbolic gesture emboldens terrorists and puts America in danger.”

Perhaps allowing Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, our first Muslim elected to Congress, to be sworn in using the Koran would be seen by Muslims around the world as a tolerant, embracing act. Extremists have a foothold in the minds of their supporters only if their chosen enemy is antagonizing them. When we rape Arab countries for their oil and kill innocent people, this only fuels the fires for extremists. What really puts America in danger is when we act unjustly, whether it be in Iraq when we kill innocent civilians or on our own soil when we deny an elected representative to be sworn in using the sacred text of his own choice.

America, Islam, politics, religion