we fast approach a new century. This is for you to
decide as your thoughts
and experiences will be different to mine and I
certainly do not wish to
dictate. I just wanted to show you what my eyes
have seen, the feelings that
they inspired and how these events have
affected my life from time to time.
As I have said many times I am no
historian, preferring instead to portray a
flavour rather than cold
researched and heavy reading facts. This is just
one mans
opinion........
On a very personal level I draw the following
conclusions:-
1. Democracy is not a
natural state, it is not the "norm" and therefore
when
it exists it should be treated as a precious gift and valued highly.
2.
Democracy will never be perfect, but it is better than any
other
system that has been used to date.
3. The
ancient Greeks invented the word, but never perfected the system
4.
Education is the means to perpetuate democracy.
5. Democracy is under
attack from Racism, Tribalism, Elitism, and often
Religious causes
6. Democracy means to have freedom of speech, but the
common sense to
know when or not to use it
7.
Democracy means to live without fear... That encompasses all
fears
including the fear of unemployment
8.
Democracy is a fine balance of your rights as an individual
combined
with a collective responsibility to the country
we live in... Often these
will clash
9. Our own
politicians will often commit major crimes under the
disguise of democracy
10. The big risk that threatens democracy is in
fact the politicians
that we
elect
11. The biggest threat to democracy comes from the population as
they
become greedy or
apathetic
12. Democracy in the UK is renewed after every major
conflict.
I could not have come to these 12 conclusions had I
not written these few
notes.. you must form your own
conclusions
Thank you for listening.....Simply
Steve