This is in response to McKenzie Levindofske's letter in the Feb. 28 issue of The Spectrum.
Dear Miss Levindofske and agreeing conservatives: As the title of this letter aptly states, dissent protects democracy. If people don't speak up when they feel strongly about an issue and make every effort they can to ensure the government they (usually) elected gets this message, that government will act in what it feels is their constituents' best interest. And that is only the ideal case. Oftentimes, politicians will go further to only listen to those who make themselves heard, which, sadly, most of the time these constituents do with their wallets.
It is in those last two cases that you get situations similar to the one we are in now: A war for every season, disregard for the constitution through reduction of citizens' liberties and less governmental spending on education and welfare. While to the government, these actions make sense, they are grave dangers to many people's lives. It is then one of the most patriotic things the people can undertake to tell their representatives that they disagree. This has nothing to do with people being stuck in the 1960s, as Levindofske alleged. It is being a concerned, patriotic citizen participating in the democratic process.
If we were all to just lie back, like most of the country is doing these days, lap up the pseudo news from the corporate media, pollute the environment and the minds of our children, what we have seen so far would only be the beginning. Nothing would prevent an inhuman dictator from abolishing democracy once and for all.
Truly patriotic citizens - like many of the protestors - are the people keeping the true American spirit alive; the great spirit in which this country was founded. The government may not think much of its constituents' opinions now, but the patriotic movement against injustice is growing fast and will most definitely be a force to be reckoned with, if it is not already.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
