Bill of rights, what bill of rights? Some musings on politics near and far.....

Australia has no bill of rights and the constitution applies only to the behavior and protocols of Parliament.  My husband keeps saying that Victoria (our state) has a bill of rights but when prompted he cannot locate it on the internet.  Apparently, it is a "bill" that was passed that clarifies, in very vague terms, some general freedoms.  To me, that's not a bill of rights.

What we consider to be basic rights in the US are only protected by court precedents.  The police routinely pull over thousands of people a night to give them breathalyzer tests (they set up check points and make everyone stop).  In principle,  it's a great idea because this country has some issues with drunk driving and alcoholism, but in the US wouldn't that be unreasonable search and seizure?  If you fail the test, they impound your car and off you go to jail.  There is no guaranteed freedom of speech or right to public assembly.  They can apply a strict or loose definition of what makes an unlawful demonstration depending on the mood of the police.  I do agree with the very strict gun control laws - guns are extremely regulated and allowed for people who use them for recreation, but only at a gun club and guns cannot be kept in the home.  If you live in a rural area and use the guns for hunting and farming purposes (dingos eat domestic animals, kangaroos must be hunted for meat - they cannot be farmed. ) guns are registered.  It allows sportsmen to have guns, but keeps them out of major circulation, which is exactly how I think it should be in the US (when was the last time the president called on the minutemen to fight the red coats?  not recently... no-one needs to keep a gun under their bed).  

They just sent some guys to prison for sedition - they had stated that they would like to commit some terrorist act but they had no connections to weapons, no plans, no organization, no evidence beyond a few statements.  Isn't that wrong in the US?   Or is that what brought down the late governor of Illinois, (and I wouldn't call selling a senate seat sedition).  Sedition, think about it.  I hate the president! Treason.  Dick Cheyney is the devil and I hope he dies!  Sedition..........  luckily, all of those statements were made in our recent past and better times are ahead, I hope.

In Australia, everyone has to vote - if you don't vote they will find you and fine you.  I'm only a resident, not a citizen, but as a landowner, I had the right and the obligation to vote in my local council elections.  I said to my husband "is this legal?  I'm not a citizen"  "Just do it" he replied " better to vote and they disqualify it than not vote and get the fine".

In the US, people act like they are doing such a great public service by voting.  Voting is not a public service - it is your right as a citizen and that right can actually be taken away from you.  Voting is only one of the things that make a democracy.  Public Service is the other.  I have been thinking a lot about this lately based on conversations I have been having with people and I truly think that public service and the choice to serve is just as important and more pivotal to a democracy than the right to cast a vote.  Stepping up and putting your hat into the public service arena means that you are beyond words and are ready to take action.  We'd still be paying tax on tea if our forefathers had kept it to words.  We have no battles, in the military sense, to fight, but there are so many battles to fight to keep life fair and to make sure that those that do not have much of a voice are heard.  Like therapy, there comes a point when talking to your friends and family is not enough.  If you believe passionately in something and you have the ability to make change, I believe it is your duty in a democracy to stick your neck above the crowd.  This is hard because often you will find that by sticking your neck out it makes a lovely target for all of those people who choose to keep their actions to words.  

It's easy to make someone a target, but the more difficult road comes when you become the target.  

This is a quote from congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Democrat from Wisconsin, describing what made her stick her neck out: " Achieving health care for all is the reason I got into politics.  It is my goal, my passion, my motivation".

     Both my parents have stuck their necks out numerous times to run for office, participate in political actions, participate in county and state politics and planning boards.  Some people love them for doing this.  Some people, (like the slate company down the street who illegally dump their contaminated water into the Mettowee River and gets upset when my Dad calls the environmental protection agency) would like to see them disappear.

But the one thing that you can never say is that they didn't take part in the great democracy that is the USA - they served, still serve and will probably serve until they can no longer drive through the snowstorm to get to the planning board, until they can no longer be propped up to speak at the council meetings.

Sometimes I feel like I have not done enough, but then I remember that my passions lie with arts education, and I think of the hours spent teaching dance in NYC public schools and teaching design to kids who were told all their lives that the arts were not a path that should or could be taken by someone like them and I realize that I am able to take action and make a difference in my own way.  As for politics, I've gone door to door with my mom and handed out flyers, I've worked at the Washington County fair booth and spoken to more than a few people about the democratic party in Washington County and while I don't think it has even scratched the tip of the iceberg, it was something.  My brother,!! (and if you know the history, you will know why I am so amazed) has even become involved in environmental issues and politics in the El Paso area - working on senatorial campaigns and fighting against the reopening of industrial plants in the El Paso area, (look up ASAARCO, sp? and you'll see what his current battle is).  Is it something in our blood?  Is it being descended from so many colonists?  Who knows, but he's got the bug too and he has found his passion. 

   So when I see people rail against some injustice, or misrepresentation,  I urge them to step up and take part and get involved; actions will always speak louder than words, especially if they have the connections and intelligence to do so.   I have the amazing example of my family, so it is only natural for me to urge people to do more.  I often get a response akin to "I do my part,   I vote" or a look that makes me feel as if I have sprouted another head.   But I still believe that to be part of a democracy, you must do more than vote.  If you rage against the great "them" and "they" it is your duty as citizen to learn that there is no "them" or "they" but only "us" and to immerse yourself in the myriad of grey areas that exist between the left and the right.   We have nothing to fear but fear itself............

Boy, am I missing the US or what?  Parliament and politics down under are just not as interesting.  I'll give it another look and then see how I feel.   But I will never give up my US Passport....never, ever, ever............