Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Democracy

Abraham Lincoln, who left copious scraps of paper with jotted thoughts instead of a diary, wrote upon one of them:

“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.”

When I read this to her, M said “that’s basically the Golden Rule.” And, as the old rabbi said about that, the rest is commentary.

Meanwhile, everybody by now should realize many Americans don’t share this idea and never have. The View From the Moraine: Liberty in the fog (in reality and metaphor).

mthew

3 responses to “Democracy”

  1. Ellen

    Beautiful photo, Matthew. I agree with your sentiments. I also just read Anne Frank’s diary and I believe that most people are basically good. I see hope for us in all the people who march, protest, register voters and point out when things are wrong and unethical. I believe more people are becoming involved in politics to right some wrongs being done. Light always follow dark.

    Reply
  2. Susan

    So we’ll put Matthew. Both the slave and the master are in slaves. The golden rule is the only way to live True Life.

    Reply
  3. Populism endangering democracy | Marcus Ampe's Space

    […] Democracy Abraham Lincoln, who left copious scraps of paper with jotted thoughts instead of a diary, wrote upon one of them […]

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