A good parasite does not kill its host or at least not immediately. A good parasite knows at some primitive level that for as long as the host lives, the nutrition flows. But like all other communities of life, some parasites in the infected host are ‘wiser’ than others and sooner or later the host dies and with it the parasite must either move its generations on to other hosts or die itself. Our Democracy is fighting off a parasitic infection called privatization. When private interests infect the public sector, the only question left is the life span of the public sector and the democracy itself for democracy is a public endeavor. 

Human beings operate like “interest seeking” missiles. Usually religion, morality and ethics can guide and modify the secular interests. The founders of our nation baked the public ethic into the soul and interests of this nation starting with public schools and government when they became aware democracy would require a new ethic to succeed in such a diverse nation. When the American ethic of public service took hold, ongoing aspirations of cooperation, kindness and prosperity for all uniquely began to work on our culture. Initially in the 18th and 19th centuries few people could believe democracy could work because very few could see beyond the narrow private interests of speciality groups and communities. The American democracy has proved them wrong time and again. The major contribution of religion, in addition to inherent authentic forms of spirituality, was to reinforce the communal structure of society. But today virulent forms of private enterprise are sucking private fortunes from the our democracy’s public investments. Even our highest level political leaders are monetizing their offices while gaslighting the democracy with executive orders and superficial religiosity. 

A Modest Proposal for Good

The leaders of this nation deserve a livable wage, health care, and safety as they sort the passions of this nation to deliver enlightened legislation for the future. They deserve that and nothing more. Somehow our government has become a bank teller for the rich and powerful. Our nation has to again define governing as a public service deserving respect and representing a space of consideration insulated from private interest, gain and aggressive forms of false religiosity. The parasitic approach to public service is reaching the red line of no return for this nation and democracy so weakened by internal exploitation. Public service must again become a secular practice and discipline working and weaving a spiritually diverse colorful nation into a tapestry worthy of the flag it flies. That would be good. 

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