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Can A Democracy Have A Queen?
A Monarchy Is Needed In Some Households
By Mary Fran Bontempo, For The Bulletin
This thing we call democracy lives on.
In America, we live by its rules from the time we’re small. Remember taking a vote about which game you wanted to play in the schoolyard at recess? How about a show of hands over which television program to watch before the days of a TV in every room? Or maybe you put dinner to a vote just recently—meatloaf or pizza? (I’d go with the pizza.)
“Let’s take a vote!” is a mantra instilled in us from the beginning. It’s the concept our ancestors built this country upon. Here, in the United States, it is sacred. The will of the people shall prevail.
But sometimes, I’m not sure democracy is such a good thing. In some instances, I think a monarchy would better serve. For example, in my house, I want everyone’s clothes put away, especially after I’ve just washed and folded them and carried them upstairs to various bedrooms. However, the majority of the people in my little country couldn’t care less about putting away their clothes. Even though no vote is actually taken, the will of the people is clear: Those clothes will remain exactly where I put them until they are either worn or thrown back in the hamper — still clean, of course, where I will wash them again and repeat the entire exercise in futility.
At such times, I want a monarchy, and I want to be the monarch. I want my rule to be absolute. No questions — what the Queen (that would be me) says goes. Put away your clothes. Be home by 11 p.m. No phone calls, cell or otherwise, after 10 p.m. Eat what I put in front of you. And for heaven’s sake, replace the toilet paper with a new roll.
Yet, monarchs can find themselves in trouble if their subjects get ticked off. A king or queen is a king or queen for life. There’s no easy way to dump a monarch, and disgruntled followers can have a queen sleeping with one eye open. (I’ve caught myself looking over my shoulder at my testy subjects on more than one occasion.) As Shakespeare said, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
So maybe I’ll have an occasional monarch moment, but generally, I guess democracy will have to do. And as democracies go, I think we Americans do it pretty well.
You don’t have to like the politics. In fact, you don’t have to agree with our new president regarding a single item on his political agenda.
But regardless of your personal or political beliefs, I hope you are still amazed by America. I hope you are still in awe of the democratic process. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, I sat in front of my TV and marveled over my country. For once again, the greatest democracy on the face of the earth peacefully handed over the reins of our government to a new president.
A president who, for better or worse, and that will remain to be seen, was elected by the will of the people. Not all of the people, to be sure, but the majority of the people, for that is what a democracy is all about.
I hope he governs faithfully, first to God and then to mankind. I hope he governs respectfully, thoughtfully and kindly, which will ensure that he governs wisely. I hope he governs with compassion and I hope he governs with love, for our people and our country.
I hope he does, but if he doesn’t, I intend to let him know. For this is America, my democracy, and yes, I can.
In America, we live by its rules from the time we’re small. Remember taking a vote about which game you wanted to play in the schoolyard at recess? How about a show of hands over which television program to watch before the days of a TV in every room? Or maybe you put dinner to a vote just recently—meatloaf or pizza? (I’d go with the pizza.)
“Let’s take a vote!” is a mantra instilled in us from the beginning. It’s the concept our ancestors built this country upon. Here, in the United States, it is sacred. The will of the people shall prevail.
But sometimes, I’m not sure democracy is such a good thing. In some instances, I think a monarchy would better serve. For example, in my house, I want everyone’s clothes put away, especially after I’ve just washed and folded them and carried them upstairs to various bedrooms. However, the majority of the people in my little country couldn’t care less about putting away their clothes. Even though no vote is actually taken, the will of the people is clear: Those clothes will remain exactly where I put them until they are either worn or thrown back in the hamper — still clean, of course, where I will wash them again and repeat the entire exercise in futility.
At such times, I want a monarchy, and I want to be the monarch. I want my rule to be absolute. No questions — what the Queen (that would be me) says goes. Put away your clothes. Be home by 11 p.m. No phone calls, cell or otherwise, after 10 p.m. Eat what I put in front of you. And for heaven’s sake, replace the toilet paper with a new roll.
Yet, monarchs can find themselves in trouble if their subjects get ticked off. A king or queen is a king or queen for life. There’s no easy way to dump a monarch, and disgruntled followers can have a queen sleeping with one eye open. (I’ve caught myself looking over my shoulder at my testy subjects on more than one occasion.) As Shakespeare said, “Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
So maybe I’ll have an occasional monarch moment, but generally, I guess democracy will have to do. And as democracies go, I think we Americans do it pretty well.
You don’t have to like the politics. In fact, you don’t have to agree with our new president regarding a single item on his political agenda.
But regardless of your personal or political beliefs, I hope you are still amazed by America. I hope you are still in awe of the democratic process. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, I sat in front of my TV and marveled over my country. For once again, the greatest democracy on the face of the earth peacefully handed over the reins of our government to a new president.
A president who, for better or worse, and that will remain to be seen, was elected by the will of the people. Not all of the people, to be sure, but the majority of the people, for that is what a democracy is all about.
I hope he governs faithfully, first to God and then to mankind. I hope he governs respectfully, thoughtfully and kindly, which will ensure that he governs wisely. I hope he governs with compassion and I hope he governs with love, for our people and our country.
I hope he does, but if he doesn’t, I intend to let him know. For this is America, my democracy, and yes, I can.
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