Editor,
This is a response to Dr. George Westergaard’s recent letter to the editor. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m extremely proud of our government and, yes, that means Congress. With all we just went through, we’re coming out the other side just fine … and not a shot was fired.
I’m sick and tired of media pundits lamenting how broken our government is and how embarrassing the past month has been, how we’ve lost stature on the world stage. Baloney.
The rest of the world should be in awe and, frankly, I think our founding fathers would have been cheering from the balcony of Congress to see the results of what they set in motion some 237 years ago.
What we’ve just witnessed is democracy within a republic at work. Was it pretty? No. But at many times throughout our history it hasn’t been pretty. At the start, while trying to negotiate a new constitution, or pick many other times throughout our history, it’s not been pretty. And at no time, at least since the Civil War, has a shot ever been fired.
It’s been said that democracy is like making sausage. It’s not something you want to watch, but it looks good at the end. It’s also been said that democracy may not be the best form of government, but there’s certainly no better alternative. This past month China and Russia both criticized us for the spectacle they were observing. But could China or Russia have ever gone through something like this without a shot being fired? No. From Egypt to Thailand to countless other Third World countries, by now the military would have stepped in and dissolved Parliament or worse.
Think about it. In this great nation we can cuss and discuss. Every four years we have an extremely tumultuous and vitriolic election. It’s ugly. Every time. Yet we fight, debate, vote, accept the results, and then proceed with a very orderly transition of government — every time, without a shot being fired. That’s what makes us uniquely American.
Yes, I’m extremely proud. Dr. Westergaard and all Americans should be too, and yes the rest of the world should be in awe.
DENNIS HUNSINGER,
Langley
