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<In my research, I came across The Idaho Encyclopedia -- written during the Great Depression. The chapter on the history of state government is most enlightening. Idaho was part of the Washington Territory in the second half of the 1800's. As miners and settlers began coming into the portion of what is now Idaho, each camp had its own customs or rules along with a judge, a recorder, and an executive officer of some sorts. Attorneys could be found in large camps, which became towns. There was what was called a miners' meeting that became the final source of authority. It was similar to a New England town meeting. It also put into practice "the fundamental American doctrines of equality and manhood suffrage." You will notice that women were not considered. This method worked for a while, but the lawlessness of desperados and banditry called for more law enforcement. Therefore the Idahoans petitioned the Territorial Government to become its own independent territory. This was rejected and the people petitioned the U.S. government to become a state. Idaho became a state in 1863.
The new citizens of the state of Idaho were affected by this move. Author Vardis Fisher states, "The first and most serious of these impediments to order were (1) Political corruption; (2) Crime and violence; (3) Inflated speculation in mining; (4) Poor roads; and (5) Indian troubles. The people thinking their problems would be handled had to face the political corruption along with crime and violence. Doesn't this reflect what we are seeing today? It would appear that political corruption has been a bane throughout history along with crime and violence. Where does morality come in?
Vardis goes on to write that both the Democrats and Republicans were considered corrupt even before the territory became a state. "Between the strife of the two parties, concern for the public good almost disappeared. The Republican machine, desperate to gain the spoils of office, made use of such questionable and corrupt maneuvers as were calculated to offset the overwhelming numerical strength of the Democrats. These factional intrigues and counterplots resulted, very naturally, in shortsighted and nonsensical legislation." Doesn't this apply today? This quote reflected on Idaho in the 1860's.
As Obama took the oath of office, therewere those waiting in the wings to criticize him or condemn, while others who are playing the wait-and-see game as well as those acting with indifference. We are at a pivotal point of change and this can be the greatest change in history. We have an opportunity to connect with our government and insist that we want to move beyond corruption. We want to have a healthy environment. We want to move from dependency on oil to alternative fuels. The moment has come for us to dance to a new rhythm and reclaim the power of the people with our government elected officials serving the needs of the people.
The time has arrived for a new march. Use the website http://www.change.gov and let Obama and his team know what you are wanting -- demanding. Write your national senators and representatives and demand action. Write your state legislators and demand action. Let us keep the momentum going and see a new era -- a new way of life. We have to also do our part and that is to be actively involved instead of indifferent. There is no time like this time.
In researching the corruption of power, I began looking for moral leaders and, about the only two I could find were Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela -- one from India and the second from South Africa. Morality is essentially a code of conduct. Humanity has had codes of conduct stemming from the ancient Egyptians and over the centuries the corruption of power have pushed these codes into the background. I have come up with a beginning of my own code of morality, which I have taken from others.
Treat others, as you want to be treated.
Do not lie, cheat or steal.
If one is wrong, admit it.
Obey the law. If you do not like it, petition to have it changed.
A kind word and a smile can do wonders.
Do not evangelize. Allow others their own spiritual/religious beliefs.
Take responsibility for your life, your words, your thoughts and your actions.
We have arrived at a major point of change. We have the opportunity to release our invisible chains of self-imposed enslavement. Perhaps Obama will be the catalyst for the beginning of a great change. We must give up our racial prejudices and also our prejudices against either the Republican party or the Democratic party. We must become an open-minded society to new ideas and new ways of accomplishing things. As Bess Myerson wrote: "The accomplice of the crime of corruption is frequently our own indifference." We can no longer afford to be indifferent.
