Our Political Cicadas

Recent developments have led me to resurrect and update one of my blogs from early 2025.  Excerpts are provided below with comments added in blue.  

The “Democratic” Socialists of America (DSA), like North American Cicadas, lay dormant for many years, but sensed that the time was right to emerge from the dirt and take flight.  I have no doubt that the trigger was the absolute dysfunction of our federal government – especially the Legislative Branch, and their absolute resistance to the critical reforms we have so often demanded.

RESPECT

You’re not listening. We’ve told you time and again to enact term limits, open elections, balance the budget, end gerrymandering, get the big money out of politics, place nice with the kids from across the street, and much more. You shower us with promises and then deflect the blame for your persistent failures. Since you refuse to manifest prudence and temperance, please respect our collective wisdom and do as you are told.

RESPONSIBILITY

Stop acting like our parents while behaving like children. Quit trying to provide for our every need. Help us spread our wings and DO NOT rob us of responsibility for ourselves, our children, our families, our communities, our fellow citizens, and our nation. This is how we mature into sovereign citizens. We shouldn’t have to remind you that the goal of any democratic government is to empower, enable, and ennoble its citizens.

There is a predictable cycle throughout the history of this world.  When a democracy finds itself in crisis, those with authoritarian tendencies will emerge and promise to lead the masses to a new utopia. They will identify a scapegoat for all our woes and vow to make them pay.  Of course, before we can return to liberty, we will need to confer extraordinary powers on our saviors.  The end result is also predictable.  The new government will empower itself to disable and enfeeble its subjects.

For this reason, The Citizen v2.1 Initiative insists that

the only cure for a failing democracy is more democracy.

AGENCY

It is time for those endowed with sovereignty to be seated at the table. We require agency – the power to chart the course of our collective lives. As in more advanced democracies, the American Citizenry must select and vote on the national policy issues that will profoundly affect their destiny. Furthermore, the outcomes (if decisive) must bind the other three branches of government to enact those policy decisions. Herein lies the sovereignty We The People have long been promised and never experienced.

If America’s ruling parties remain devoted to their partisan and self-serving norms, perhaps some new party will help America reimagine its failing political system. As with all living things, Democracy must evolve or face extinction.

How prophetic.  How predictable.  Here comes the DSA raising a clenched fist and promising free healthcare, housing, food, education, and transportation.  Under their enlightened oversight, police, prisons, and the military will no longer be needed. We will enjoy economic equality and lots of free time. It will be heavenly.

Perhaps some kind philanthropist could offer to fund a bit of remedial education for our DSA colleagues.  Obviously, they skipped out on American History, World History, Civics, and Economics 101. 

So, the DSA cicadas are now above ground and making lots of noise.  I wish them the life expectancy and the fate shared by all insects of the Magicicada species.

While you are here, please review and endorse The True Democracy Amendment.