American Made

American Made

The challenges of American democracy

The challenges of American democracy
2008 Speeches Federation UMA by Frank F. Islam

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I would like to welcome you all for this opportunity and thank my host for giving me the opportunity to address you today on the theme "Challenges of Democracy U.S.. "

At 30,000 feet, American democracy seems to work. We had over 225 years to develop this bold concept government; And, unquestionably, democracy is a precious form of government because it recognizes the right of self-determining people to create their own path in life.

But American democracy, like any other form of government is not perfect. It is a constant evolution, the organic model that is based on proven principles, but faces regular challenges that impacts development. Its evolution is a direct result of meeting challenges, which causes the desire for change. Currently, American democracy seems to be facing many challenges, which will determine the path of the future government.

In other words, America in the twenty-first century is facing questions about how a democratic government should work. These include recurrent debates on the excessive influence of "special interests" and the unequal power and influence Policy, who questioned the democratic pluralism oriented theory in the United States. Recent events and circumstances have questions about the meaning of democracy increasingly urgent. The election of 2000 terrorist attacks September 11, 2001, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the elections 2004 have raised questions about the normative requirements of democracy in Central America.
Democracy requires more than effective institutions that hold leaders accountable and prevent them from abusing their powers. It is also essential that the rights and freedoms of individuals are protected possible actions against abusive government, its officers, or majorities of citizens. These protections are provided in the Constitution and its amendments, and American democracy requires that these rights and freedoms to defend and confirmed.
Today, American democracy faces several challenges (1) radical proposals by those who try to drive the government away from the will of the people, population growth (2) - when you have so many voices, multiple ethnicities, races, cultures, it is difficult to reach consensus, and (3) the widening gap between rich and poor. Whenever you have these gaps, it is difficult to find common ground is necessary for democratic governance.

I would like to address each of these questions more detail:

(1) Radical Influences:

Certainly there are extreme positions on most major issues we face today. For example, there are those who believe in no government authority and those who believe that government can solve everything. The correct answer is almost always located between the two. Most people tend to be pragmatic and centrist on many things. But because our society has so many outlets to be heard, those who are marginal issues can often raise their voices above others simply taking advantage of all these points sales. For example, podcasting, blogs, and hundreds of TV channels to provide these radicals with many opportunities to exploit issues. Moreover, the passion is almost always with the radicals, so they tend to operate effectively.

Of course, the very purpose of democracy is to allow people to let their voices be heard - whether it is compatible with all the right things about democracy. However, if policy makers only hear the voices the strongest, then the real will of the people is lost. This is a real tension in democracy - not erect barriers against free speech, while trying to ensure that the majority opinion back to the surface. Thus, the nature of democracy itself creates challenges.

In addition, this problem is exacerbated by the fact that individuality is so deeply ingrained in our culture today - at the sacrifice of a sense deep civic duty. In other words, people tend to attach more importance to their own concerns than the majority. It What motivates people to try to impose their will on the majority, even if the majority of opinions clearly. While democracy is designed to allow expression of individualism, civic responsibility can sometimes be forgotten and the will of the majority may be lost.

Population growth (2):

As I said earlier, democracy in America is a form of government representative. To be effective, elected officials must be able to determine the needs of their people and then pursue public policies accordingly. However, as we all know, the voice that we speak, the harder it is to reach a consensus. On the one hand, a thriving democracy draws always people and America has always welcomed people with open arms. But as more and more make up the fabric of America, the harder it is to discern a clear trend from the tissue. As our population increases, the fact of our diversity - which is itself a good thing. However, with the benefits of diversity, The challenge is to find a consensus.

American democracy today is challenged by the very nature of its success. We achieve our goal to be the proverbial melting pot. We now raging debates about whether we should have a common language - English - Or not. We concerns expressed about whether the people of any religion or race can be effective representatives of the majority, as evidenced Mitt Romney campaigns for Barack Obama. We have racist acts of terrorism in our country - as evidenced by the Jenna 6 and the recent massacre of a Mexican immigrant in Pennsylvania. And of course we have ongoing discussions on religion in government and if America is to be a Christian nation-tours. So we have our problems, but only because our experience to create a diverse country has succeeded.

(3) the difference widening gap between rich and poor:

American democracy is rooted in the capital there should be equal opportunities for all. Without this, democracy begins to fail because it can not allow its participants to achieve their goals. has been much talk done about the current enlargement of the gap between the richest Americans and the majority of the working class. John Edwards has called the famous the existence of "two Americas", in his populist speeches. The truth is that the richest ten percent of Americans are now more remote of ten per cent poorer than ever before in our history. This creates a lack of interaction between the various segments of the population and economic results Thus a divergence of interest and lack of understanding. The disenfranchised are beginning to lose faith in government efficiency and democracy begins to disassemble. As that gap widens, the challenge is to bridge the gap in understanding and to ensure that the mandates government are met. In addition, as the poor get poorer, the effectiveness of law becomes diminished when people are forced to choose between livelihoods and respect. Thus the unusual success of American democracy has also created new challenges we face.
The new millennium finds that American democracy in trouble. Symptoms include excessive power of corporations, the excessive power of the Presidency, the admissible shrinkage problems and choices to the public, contested elections, the erosion of civil liberties, corruption in high places, disturbed domestic and foreign programs, and widespread public dissatisfaction and disengagement. Why does the system more open debate? Which laid the relationship between power centers out of balance? This reduced the limits of acceptable debate? Since the elections is where it all begins and American demand for a government by the people based entirely on fair elections and significant, it Hence the origin of problems can be reasonably found.
The so-called bottom line of this political process is that American democracy is faltering and in danger of sliding into a deeper crisis in which the abuse of power might disappoint the hopes of the American people. The main question asked how can this situation be turned around. Many have turned to "public interest groups" such as Common Cause and the Environmental Defense Fund, but overall they have not significantly influenced elections or public policy.
Certainly, the challenges of American democracy are important in any democratic country to consider. America is the oldest democracy in the world and continues to be the great laboratory of democratic experimentation. We have enjoyed great success and many obstacles on the road as well. How we handled these obstacles and our success has been said - from the adoption of laws on civil rights of our role in helping develop the United Nations United in our exercise of authority as a superpower.

In many ways, India is facing the same challenges that America, with its own form of democracy. The radical left and right in India are just as extreme, population growth and diversity is much greater than in the U.S. states, the gap between rich and poor is even greater, more entrenched partisan politics and corruption widespread and extreme. However, India also seems to have a greater tradition of public democracy, which seems to be the path that America is heading. So how American democracy manages the challenges that were addressed will be of interest Live for India. This presents another opportunity to exchange information and transfer of knowledge between these two great democracies, even if the paths ultimately chosen by these two great nations diverge.

Now I want to talk about why should we participate in the political process? When I say "we" I mean as an Indian American and as Muslim. However, before I continue I want to stress the importance of the upcoming election. Election 2008 is very important because we are concerned about the dismal state of our economy, high gas prices, stagnant wages, rising costs of health care, job insecurity, the credit crunch and the war in Iraq. As we all been affected by these issues one way or another, I think if we stand together we will be able to help to elect a government that will be able to solve these problems.

I would like to share with you some questions and answers asked the community about why we should participate in the political process:

Q: Why should we give money to candidates? How is it important to give money?
A: We contribute because we believe it is our civic duty. This is a democracy and We are fortunate to be able to make our voices heard. And one of the best ways to ensure that our voices are heard is to provide candidates with the necessary funding for their campaigns, interface with citizens and their message back to Washington.

Q: Do we get nothing in return?
A: Yes. The knowledge that we have participated in this democracy and exercised our right to express our opinion. Again, it is our civic duty as citizens to participate in democracy.

Q: How large and active Indian community in the election Presidential and what role do they play?
A; The Indian community has recently become more active in the presidential elections. There are issues that We have much impact, so we should be involved. taxes to immigration, global warming, and health care, just name a few. But Indian Americans participate much less than other communities. For example, the Jewish community is much stronger politically by proportion. We have a good start, but there is much work to do. From the beginning, very few Indian Americans participated. Now with the rise of the second generation, the global importance of India, and the incredible economic success of the Indian community America, there is a positive change: greater participation, more activism, other contributions, and the Americans, even Indians to be elected.

Q: Do Indian Americans play no role in shaping India-US relations?
A, Yes. We are increasingly involved in this process. American Indian help policy makers understand the dynamics of the two countries and find common ground. status bicultural American Indian Places in a unique position to broaden the understanding among countries. This is demonstrated by the progress in international trade and the nuclear face 123.

Now I want to talk about why it is important for the Muslim community to be strongly committed and participate in the political process.

As I said earlier, civic engagement is a fundamental means of appropriation our future as controlled by American politics. Various laws and ordinances that are passed at the local, state and national level affect our lives directly and regularly. They define the extent of our possibilities and limitations of our rights and freedoms in all aspects of civic life. Given our low level of political commitment before the terrorist attacks on 911, we found very few friends in the government after the 911, inheritance which is still felt today. Besides the practical reasons, it is a religious obligation for us as well.

First, it is the duty of American Muslims to participate constructively in the political process, if only to protect their rights and support views and causes they favor. Their participation can also improve the quality of information disseminated about Islam. We call this participation a "duty" because we do not consider only a "right" that can be abandoned or "permission" can be ignored. He falls into the category of backup needs and ensure the well-being of the Muslim community in this country.

Secondly, all legitimate means or a tool to help achieve these noble goals is also considered. This includes:

1. The appointment of any authority Muslim American elected to a position where his presence can provide, or provide benefits to American Muslims and other citizens or harm them in prevention. These positions range from those of the state governor mayor, and members in school boards and municipal governments, all the way until joining the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

2. Self-application by a Muslim American if the initiative of his appointment is not made by the community, or whether election laws require this application form.

3. Adoption a non-Muslim candidate if he / she would be more advantageous or less harmful to the American Muslim community and the rest of the country.

4. Provide financial support to a candidate non-Muslims.

5. Obtaining U.S. citizenship. This emphasizes citizenship the true diversity of this country and is a prerequisite for participation in the political process.

6. Both registering to vote and participation elections and voting are means to an end.

7. Muslim civil rights protections in this country and the enjoyment of positive interaction with other Americans are demanding American Muslims to engage in acts of deliberation to reach a consensus on general principles, and tolerating disagreements on contentious issues.

8. The Muslim minority should have a fair chance to practice their faith (as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States).

9. Both the art of persuasion and the science of public relations have an important role which should not be ignored.

Every credible American Muslim organization has to step up to the plate in order to empower our communities within its legal framework. Empowering communities is successful only when the whole community involved. Take, for example, movement Civil Rights. It was a success because all African-Americans were united in their demand for constitutional rights.

Most questions directly affect us are in fact decided at local levels. However, we must also note the importance of policy issues domestic and foreign as American Muslims - which is largely an immigrant community - and these issues are the responsibility of government federal and national policy.

If we do not participate in these policy arenas, we deprive ourselves of having a voice in matters as U.S. foreign policy toward Muslim countries, laws impact immigrants and immigration policies regarding civil liberties and profiling, judicial appointments, etc. So we have to keep in mind that although it is important to focus on local politics, we can not not neglect the political level.

There is much more compelling reasons that can happen to make a case for the importance of Local political commitments. However, as we move forward, let us not forget the possibility of developing Muslim candidates. As the development of a candidate, it must start at home. As we age, we should also be mobilized to support their aspiration for national offices.

We should establish a network of CAP active state and to coordinate with a federal PAC, we can indeed have a very powerful engine of policies affecting large in the defense of constitutional rights and the promotion of equitable interests the American Muslim community.

I know I taxed your patience. Again, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak with you today. I wish you all much success in the future and we hope our paths cross again.

Thank you for your time.
May God bless you.

About the Author

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