Lest We Forget

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

Their flag to April's breeze unfurled;

Here once the embattled farmers stood;

And fired the shot heard round the world.

The first verse of Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Concord Hymn," written in 1837 to commemorate the events of April 19, 1775. It was on this day, those 230 years ago, that a band of Massachusetts townspeople did indeed fire "the shot heard round the world," igniting a Revolution which changed the course of history. We must never forget their sacrifices, and those of all other Americans then and since who have fought, bled, and died to protect and defend the ideals and principles which those brave patriots at Lexington Green and Concord Bridge stood up for.

Today the ideals and principles of that Revolution are still celebrated, in word if not in deed. But too often we have allowed their meaning to be cheapened, or redefined in ways that would cause the minuteman to shudder in his grave. Patriotism is not determined by how big a flag pin you stick through your lapel, but by the love of country that you feel in your heart. Questioning the motives of government by non-violent means is not the mark of a traitor, but the sign of an independent, thinking American.

The time has come when we must call for a revolution once again. Not a revolution of arms, but a revolution of reason. A revolution which will bring our government back from the brink of political nuclear war to the safer realm of comity and compromise, so that real issues of real importance to the people that government represents can be discussed and solved. Let's talk about making sure all Americans have access to a quality education, health care, and basic services. Let's talk about finding common ground and a way to preserve, protect, and strengthen Social Security so that it continues in solvency for the retirees of the future. Let's talk about protecting the environment. Let's talk about ways to promote the values of that earlier Revolution around the world, not with the barrel of a gun, but with the outstretched hand of friendship [to paraphrase Emerson and others]. Let's talk about ways to preserve the separation of powers that the Constitution outlines, not about impeaching judges whose decisions we disagree with. Let's talk about ways to promote those in government who speak the truth, not fire them and promote instead those who would deceive us and the world.

A revolution of reason. This will not be an easy task. There are those at both ends of the political spectrum who dislike reasoned debate, because it's much easier to get on the evening news when you shout than when you make a quiet but sincere argument. The ideologues on the right and on the left don't believe in compromise, because they can raise more money to keep themselves in power from those outraged few who cluster with them at the fringes. It will be up to us, the mighty middle, the majority who until now have been too silent, to make our arguments heard. We can no longer watch in stunned horror, shaking our heads on the sidelines as the right and the left play political football with the issues of the day; we must take to the field, and we must commit ourselves to the cause of reason with just as much dedication that those embattled farmers did back in the spring of '75.

Be reasonable. Is that too much to ask?