A breath of life in Iraqi Democracy

I hope that the public outrage, over the under handed meeting this Sunday, helped change the coarse of the constitutional referendum. I am pleased to see that the people do still have a voice in a burgeoning democracy. This is a fortunate turn of events for all Iraqis. The reversal of votes pending the constitutional referendum is a good sign that the populace understands the magnitude of their choice. This is a victory for not only the Sunni minority but also the country as a whole. This is their first true sign that nonviolent public outrage can have an immediate outcome. In fact, the outcome can be positive. This is important for further underhanded dealings that are sure to arise in the near future.

This is not a cynical statement but a realist one. Democracy is the most fluid and fragile form of government on the plant and demagogues and corrupt special interests are around every corner. The public must be active in their citizenship and not allow slow tides of malfeasance to carry the government away. Consequently, America needs to revel in its past of civil disobedience and conscience dissent. This is the only way to become truly involved in government. Our notion of passive civic mindedness is becoming more and more like apathy. Voting is not civic engagement. Voting is the culmination of years of study and contemplation about issues which affect our lives. The true citizen is active through the periods between elections. Thus the Iraqis are moving in the right direction but the tunnel is long for this nascent democracy.