What is democracy? LO15663

Richard C. Holloway (learnshops@thresholds.com)
Wed, 05 Nov 1997 19:23:00 -0800

Replying to LO15652 --

Sherri Malouf wrote:

> Hi folks -- the complexity list decided not to deal with this one so I
> thought I would see what you folks thought -- guess it is too comlex (-:

Sherri--

I thought a lot about your dilemma. Started to compose a response twice
(once directly to you, once to the complex list). I stopped each time.
There's simply more to say than I can express within this medium, and
anything I put here will simply seem to superficial. So I listened,
instead, to what you said. My silence was respectful of you and your
question.

What I did do after I read your correspondence the first time, was to go
to my library and reread "On Civil Disobedience" by Thoreau (a fairly
well-thumbed copy). I subscribe to Locke's political philosophy--and I
agree wholeheartedly with Thoreau's argument.

There is no "democracy." But the power to rule me and govern me comes
from me; and when, and if, I'm ready to rescind that power, that is my
decision. And the consequences belong to me, also. So if you choose to
exercise your power, in whatever expression that takes, and if I ask you
why you are suffering the consequences of that choice, you may feel free
to ask me why I am not standing with you.

my sincere regards,

Doc

-- 
"Is there some notion abroad that man must repeat himself?  To repeat is
to go against the laws of the spirit, its forward motion."    -Pablo
Picasso

Richard C. "Doc" Holloway Visit me at http://www.thresholds.com/community/learnshops/index.html Or e-mail me at <mailto:learnshops@thresholds.com> Your partner for workforce development Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2361 Phone: 01 360 786 0925 Olympia, WA 98507 USA Fax: 01 360 709 4361

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