A lesson from Russert. Democracy is not our government, it is the way we treat each other.

[originalpckelly]

We no longer live in a democracy, if we ever did. Today, with the passing of a news icon, this nation begins a great reflection. To many of the people is this nation who are skeptics, nothing is sacred, and even while the man has just died and his still body cools, we have begun to eviscerate him.

It says more about us than it does him. The fact that we cannot for this moment put aside hatred, this thick factionalism, to celebrate his life, or even to merely be shocked at his sudden death, it is incredibly disturbing. We proclaim ourselves to be a democracy, but we lack the intellectual foundation of a real democracy.

I would hope that if I just died someone could put aside the fact that I was a Democrat just long enough to be kindly or decent to my family or my memory. It's really not all that much to ask, but there are some among us who are incapable of even that basic decency.

The rights we grant to one another are based in the most basic idea of respect, and respect not only for those who are different or disagree with us, but ourselves. The foundation of a real democracy is the golden rule, also known as the ethic of reciprocity. In a real democracy, there must be an understanding that treating other people with respect increases the likelihood that we ourselves will be treated with respect.

That's what our nation is missing, and that's the real reason we are no longer a democracy. It doesn't matter what we call ourselves, it doesn't matter who we vote for, it is about how we treat each other in life.

If democracy is self-governance, then surely the basis of self-governance has to sometimes include self-restraint.

Look at the life of Mr. Russert, and you will see someone who had a robust version of this intellectual foundation. Once a Democratic operative, the man befriended a vile Republican propagandist and gave him decency.

He learned something about democracy, it's not about our government it's about us, and the way we treat each other.

[PeaceNikki]

1. :) K&R

[originalpckelly]

3. We cannot know if all things happen for a reason, but we can try to make a reason ourselves.

This is the right time to make a reason.

[PeaceNikki]

5. Beautiful.

I agree. Politics and religion are creating divisiveness to the point that it becomes inhuman. We all need to focus on our common goals. If we try to find them, there are really more than we'd ever expect. Most of all human compassion should trump all.

Peace and love.

[sandnsea]

2. Kick n/t

[aquamarina]

4. Beautifully stated.

[originalpckelly]

6. Thanks, but I'm just interpreting the guys life.

I'm sure he could have put it better.

[Time for change]

7. Why must we celebrate the lives of everyone who dies?

There are way too many people in the world to do that, and way too little time.

I'm exactly the same age as Russert, and I could die any day, just as he did. If I did, I certainly wouldn't expect people who hated me, didn't like me, or were indifferent to me to celebrate my life.