Today I marvel at the mystery of democracy. Plato thought that a democratically governed city-state, the polis, was a reflection of divine order, its governance, its architecture, its art, its marketplace, its places of worship; that the city-state was an outward and visible sign of heaven on earth. That ancient concept over the last four years, even throughout our history as a nation, has seemed far-fetched. If heaven be perfect, then certainly our democracy has fallen way short. But the mystery is this: perfection is not an end, but a process; and needless to say, the process is messy, often chaotic. The latter seems most apt relative to American politics over the past four years. It is an understatement to say that the underpinnings of our democracy have been challenged. The rule of law, the very Constitution of the United States, have been flouted in deference to brazen and unbridled self-interest of some whom we’ve elected. Even the most sacred privilege of a citizen in a democracy, the privilege of the vote, has been under attack by those who would seek to overturn, by all accounts, a free and fair election. And now violence in the Capitol fomented by the president himself. Violence is the fruit of falsehood. Two weeks ago, I feared what may become of us. Now, even amid the chaos, we can see the light of day that comes surely. What is happening?
The seditionists never counted on the presence and the power of integrity, the indomitable power of the truth. Brad Raffensperger, the Secretary of State in Georgia, Gabriel Sterling, a top election official in Georgia, Senator Mitt Romney, Senator Ben Sasse, Senator Susan Collins, Senator Lisa Murkowski, and others… all Republicans… have stood up to the treasonous designs of their party colleagues. Even Mitch McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader, has come down on the side of integrity and the rule of law. We have learned the hard way that there is a difference between partisanship and patriotism.
If Plato was onto something true; if our politics, that is to say, our corporate efforts for the common good, are reflective of such commerce in heaven… then heaven has its own mess to deal with, its own chaos. But perhaps the random and unruly mess is redeemed by the choice for truth, the standing up for integrity and the greater good. Perhaps heaven is such that it invites truth into a complicated, imperfect, even chaotic process of the creation bending towards perfection. But for now, I believe this is true: Falsehood ultimately has no power over the truth. Even among politicians, the truth can take root and ramify. And it is a beautiful thing to behold. I am grateful for the honesty and integrity that dwell in the human heart. Today gives me hope. Today, in spite of the mess, I believe, the truth will set us free.
