Checks and Balances

Our current Branches of government seem to be overwhelmed with our country’s challenges of the day. The checks and balances that the Framers of the constitution intended by establishing the 3 branches of government were to guarantee personal freedoms and constrain excessive power of government. They are not operating as intended. Currently the politics are so toxic, that the branches aren’t able to function, principally because of special rules that our politicians engage in to acquire and exert their own advantages.  In doing so they have brought the government to almost a standstill.

To give some understanding to our current state of affairs may require a review of how our government began. At the time our constitution was framed and ratified, we were a white homogenous country.  Mostly Christian and European. We were a newly formed nation with 13 states and a population of approximately 3 million people (not counting the Native Americans.) The Framers created a rather rigid infrastructure to manage our organic democratic system, a system that is never static, as democracy is always becoming. Remarkably this system has survived with almost no change since ratification in 1787.

Fast forward to 2016.  We are now a nation of fifty states, 330 plus million inhabitants and the most diverse country on the planet! Our branches of government are now being challenged to create a level playing field for all of its citizens. To accommodate this diversity, exacerbated by an economic apartheid system, creates a challenged never experienced before by our government. In attempting to level the playing field, it is alienating those who enjoyed the field being tilted in their favor versus many of those who have been toiling uphill for whatever reasons all of their lives. 

During this Presidential political cycle, the level playing field, is the focus.  It has morphed into two primary factions, the franchise holders versus the franchise seekers. The only issue that they agree on is that our systems of government are rigged and corrupt.  Unless and until our elected officials understand that the challenge of economics and diversity has to be dealt with realistically the problem will always kick our ass!! Could the original framers of the constitution ever envision the challenges of the 21st century?  

As we all know, we have just lost one of the most ubiquitous Pop Stars on the planet. He was the most influential chronicler of life’s theater for almost four decades. He was the freest soul on the planet as well. He has been framing the challenge that we are currently grappling with all of his life, extremely adroitly... that of “Diversity”. He empowered us in lyric as well as how he lived his life. He had no problems with race, gender, religion or class, as he loved us all unconditionally. We are now learning how truly generous he really was as he quietly helped many people level the playing field in their personal lives, everyone… including the rich. His only requirement that his largess was anonymous, as he wanted the focus to be on the gifts intent-- rather than the giver!  Again I ask, who is the best and most objective person to frame our current state of affairs? 

He was a remarkable human being who left us much too soon. REST IN PEACE MY GOOD BROTHER.  It is incumbent upon us to carry forth the positive legacy he left us with.

~ Sincerely, Charley Citizen