We Were a Democracy

We are a democracy.

Let political parties say what they like, but end propaganda by
elected officials, using public money to pay for it.

Let religious organizations be active in political arguments, but
stop public leaders who use religious organizations to advance their
aims. No to claims of moral authority that derive from religious
beliefs.

Let us defend ourselves against our enemies, but say no to torture,
no to illegal wars, no to occupations, and no to prison camps.

Let political leaders offer persuasive arguments for what they would
like to do, but no to fear mongering, panic, lies, distortion, and
intimidation.

Let us maintain our system of distributed power and shared
responsibility - squash the theory of the unitary executive.

Let us restore the Senate and House of Representatives to a place of
strength and influence. We don't want a compliant legislature that
bends to the executive's will.

Let us keep freedom alive in every way. We won't tolerate security
measures that give the government more power, and that put people in
more, not less danger.

Let us set an example of freedom for our friends and our enemies. End
now the aggression, intimidation, fear, and every other way we have
lowered our standing in the world.

We are a democracy, or at least we were. We were admired everywhere,
now we have truly lost all we held dear.