TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Is "democracy" overrated? An opinion piece appeared recently in The Californian's Our View that proposed that it might be time to do away with the initiative process -- our "experiment in direct democracy." I'm all for it!

Two obvious drawbacks were presented. First, special interests routinely exploit the process. Generally their goals are shortsighted and narrow. Special interests by definition aren't everyone's interests.

Initiatives aimed at reforming farm animal confinement and alternative fuels incentives for consumers are examples. While we corporately pass some and defeat others, the passion, the need, the relevance really resides in a group with a special interest.

Second, it lets our representatives absolve themselves of the responsibility and duty they embrace when they run for office. Making tough decisions for the future of liberty is necessary and elected officials should expect them to come.

The issue of pensions for public safety workers is a good example. This is an area with a clear constitutional mandate for government to act. Decisions like this one need to be thoughtfully approached by men and women who have a working knowledge of the issues and plenty of integrity.

Instead the people were compelled to decide democratically though we had little understanding of the big picture or the ramifications of our action.

I'd like to take the rollback of direct democracy a step further. Let's recommit to the basic principles of our republic and start taking responsibility for the character and direction of our government.

In the beginning, we the people established the American Constitution. There were seven purposes for its implementation. They are: to build national unity; to establish a system of impartial justice; to ensure peace among the people; to defend the nation against external threats; to foster happiness in society; to guard the benefits of freedom for us today; and most important, to guarantee the blessings of liberty to our children.

California has its state constitution as well. While ours may not be a particularly good execution of the concept, its stated purpose is nevertheless to secure and perpetuate the blessings of freedom for the people of California.

It is the government's function to create an environment where freedom can thrive for generations. The theory embodied in the foundation of our republic is that the diversity of the electorate will moderate the expression of the government.

How does that work? Special interests lose influence as common interests emerge. Our experiment in direct democracy has led to raucous confrontations between the people of our community. A return to the principles of our republic would lead to a more universally satisfying political climate.

The structure and function of a republic is designed to drive the large, sweeping and special change demanded by medical marijuana advocates, public union employees and farm labor interests to the margins of the political debate.

Preferably our supervisor or congressperson -- who also represents single moms, business owners and students -- will focus on fostering an environment in which the blessings of liberty lead us to reasonable debate on special interests.

Regardless of my special interests in regard to abortion, the definition of marriage or political favors, it is essential that we continue to strengthen our free society. Freedom enables the people to work out solutions to these issues according to conscience.

Instead of polarizing the people based on a contemporary issue, our representatives are commissioned to legislate tranquility. As an alternate to pushing the interests of one group over those of another, our representatives ought to legislate equitably. Rather than attempting to fulfill the desires of every individual, our representatives should be promoting the general well being of the nation, state and community.

Rather than simply exploiting opportunities to drive social or political policy, we need to ask, "How will this action ensure an environment of justice, tranquility, security and general well being within our communities such that liberty thrives?"

Our social and political policies wander back and forth under the influence of special interests. Often these governmental exploits have nothing to do with liberty. They nearly never consider the effects of their policies on the freedom of the grandchildren of their constituents.

We would be better served by empowering representatives who are wise enough to discern the common good and have the virtue and integrity to pursue it whole-heartedly. Then hold them accountable to perform!

We are sharp enough to tell when, regardless of our special interests, a representative is honestly working to secure the blessings of liberty for all of us and our posterity. We are also not so unsophisticated that we cannot see when the future of liberty is not being served.

If we are concerned about the concept of the American Republic we need to do our part to guarantee the blessings of liberty into the future.

We must diligently search for the best among us to serve for the sake of the legacy of our great republic. We need to demand a high level of performance by those we commission to the work. And we need to be prepared to defer our special interests for the sake of the liberty of our grandchildren.

Ric Llewellyn is one of three community columnists whose work appears here every Saturday. These are the opinions of Llewellyn, not necessarily The Californian. You can email him at llewellyn.californian@gmail.com. Next week: Heather Ijames.