Define “respect”?  Respect means a relationship that:

• Recognizes another person’s rights and privileges
• Defers to another person with regard to their rights and privileges
• Treats the other person with dignity
• Trusts the other person as a compatriot

Non-democratic governments may respect their citizens to some degree, or not at all as characteristic of the most oppressive forms of totalitarian government.

Once we understand that respect for the people is the foundation and defining principle of all democratic governments, we wield a powerful tool that enables us to discern the times when a democratic government strays from this standard.

Consider these examples of what we love about living in a democracy:

• Freedom to express our thoughts and beliefs openly without government control
• Unrestricted movement about the country
• Free to gather with others in social and political associations
• Property ownership
• Peace of mind and liberty to pursue personal potential

Now, what do the following trends reveal about the current state of  governance?

• Expanding lexicon of words and concepts that are deemed “politically incorrect”
• Ever increasing practice of identification checks at work and ports of transportation
• Surveillance of certain groups
• Government no longer required to have a specific public use for property before it confiscates property
• Conflicted and confused by an ever encompassing and constricting structure of regulation

See the contrast?  Which direction is the “Respect” meter pointing now?

Declining respect for the people’s liberty and basic human rights is symptomatic of a government at odds with its citizenry.  Fortunately, a democratic people have the power to restore a healthy balance between their freedom and their security.  The people must engage with their government and excercise their rightful authority through the democratic process.