A democracy only works when we hold it accountable to our shared values
A democracy only works when it reflects the shared values of its people. The USA succeeds because the people in it share the values of freedom, fairness, equality, and self-governance. However, when those values are not reflected by the government, the self-governed must intervene - through voting, running for office, advocating change, and sometimes, through protesting.
Right now, the shared values of a large group of Americans are being disregarded. When people were told that “we’re going to deport criminal immigrants,” most people who agreed with that statement at the time envisioned people convicted of crimes like theft and physical assault. Most people did not consider a person without a piece of paper to be a criminal. Most people would not agree that any force possible should be used to round up those so-called “criminals.”
Most citizens believe that people should be treated fairly. If immigrants live and work peacefully while contributing to society, most of us want there to be a path for that immigrant to obtain paperwork, especially when there are circumstances that prevented them from initially acquiring the increasingly difficult-to-obtain visa or green card.
Most citizens also believe in the importance of self-governance and the right of protest. Without advocating for and holding our elected leaders responsible for our shared values, our democracy weakens and cracks, and eventually, it no longer represents the people.
P.S. A lot of us also agree with the values that are reflected in the Bible, including me. Here are a few passages to reflect on:
The good Samaritan (Jesus’ reply to the question of who are my neighbors?): Then Jesus asked, “Which one of these three people was a real neighbor to the man who was beaten up by robbers?” The expert in the Law of Moses answered, “The one who showed pity.” Jesus said, “Go and do the same!” Luke 10:36–37
Be fair to the poor and to orphans. Defend the helpless and everyone in need. Psalm 82:3
But you must defend those who are helpless and have no hope. Be fair and give justice to the poor and homeless. Proverbs 31:8-9
So once again, I, the Lord All-Powerful, tell you, “See that justice is done and be kind and merciful to one another! Don't mistreat widows or orphans or foreigners or anyone who is poor, and stop making plans to hurt each other. Zechariah 7:9-10
See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed. Isaiah 1:17
See also: Acts 10:34, Colossians 3:11, Deuteronomy 1:16, Deuteronomy 10:18–19, Deuteronomy 14:21, Deuteronomy 15:11, Deuteronomy 17:15, Deuteronomy 23:7, Deuteronomy 23:20, Deuteronomy 24:14, Deuteronomy 25:5, Deuteronomy 27:19, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 2:19, Esther 5:1–14, Ezekiel 22:29, Ezekiel 47:22–23, Exodus 12:48-49, Exodus 20:10, Exodus 22:21–22, Exodus 23:9, Exodus 23:12, Exodus 29:33, Galatians 3:28, Galatians 5:14, Galatians 5:22, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 13:1–25, Isaiah 58:7, James 1:27, James 2:12–17, Jeremiah 7:5–7, Jeremiah 22:3, Job 31:32, John 3:16, John 15:12, Leviticus 17:8, Leviticus 17:10, Leviticus 19:10, Leviticus 19:33–34, Leviticus 20:2, Leviticus 22:10, Leviticus 22:18, Leviticus 22:25, Leviticus 23:22, Leviticus 24:16, Leviticus 24:22, Leviticus 25:23, Leviticus 25:35–38, Leviticus 25:45, Luke 1:37, Luke 3:11, Luke 10:25–37, Malachi 3:5, Matthew 5:16, Matthew 5:43–44, Matthew 22:39, Matthew 25:41-45, Matthew 27:7, Micah 6:8, Numbers 1:51, Numbers 9:14, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 5:10, Proverbs 19:17, Psalm 146:9, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 21:3, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:13, Romans 13:8, Romans 13:10, Romans 14:1–23, Romans 15:7, Titus 1:8, 1 Chronicles 2:1–55, 1 Chronicles 29:15, 1 Peter 2:11, 1 Peter 4:9, 1 Samuel 2:1–36, 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 5:10, 3 John 1:5–8
