The Importance of Faith

(Please note: This is not a post on religion)

There are many aspects of our lives that rely of faith.

For instance, take our money.  U.S. dollars use to be backed by precious metals.  Each paper bill could be redeemed for the equivalent in gold.  One consequence was the government was limited on how much it had in circulation.  To remove this limit, the dollar's value was detached from precious metals.  For this to work, though, people using the dollar had to believe the paper had value in and of itself.  Without that faith, the U.S. monetary system would not work.

Another area of faith is in our democratic institutions.  Without faith in a free press, in an independent justice system, and in our election processes our democratic government is in peril.  Yes, there are some 'news' outlets that publish lies - but certainly not all, or even most, of the major ones.  There are courts that interpret laws in light of their own beliefs - this is why there is a system to appeal rulings.  There are voter rolls that are out of date and some people who abuse the right to vote - but not millions of illegal ballots.

The people of this country have the right and the means to look at each of our democratic institutions to make sure they live up to the faith placed in them.  Transgressions should be investigated, and by ensuring such investigations are properly and impartially conducted, the democratic institutions of our country are strengthened.  But to believe blindly when they are called corrupt is to weaken them.  By all means, when such charges are leveled, look into them.  But also look equally closely at the ones making the claim.

Portraying these democratic institutions as failing or corrupt may not seem a major issue.  But these are the foundations of our country.  Look at the dictatorships and authoritarian regimes around the world.  These countries do not have an independent press, court system, or ballot box.  They were lost when they were undermined and then replaced by those in power.

The ability to know what our elected official are doing in our name,  the ability to call to account those whose actions are questionable, and the faith in our democratic processes that such scrutiny allows are what keeps this the greatest nation on earth.