Politics

A democratic political system can survive only if it is embedded in a society that allows it to thrive.  Rather like the three essentials for nurturing healthy plants (good soil, adequate water and sunlight), there are at least three nurturing elements that a society must provide, in order for democracy to prosper -- beyond the foundation of a healthy economy.  These elements are (1) the rule of law, (2) elections that are perceived as fair (and where the outcomes are respected), and (3) a political discourse that honors veracity and condemns lying and liars. 

America has a long history of scattering ashes and burying bodies in hallowed soil everywhere, and even beyond our own land. The Normandy American Cemetery is where thousands of white Christian crosses, Jewish stars of david, and Islamic five-pointed stars mark the graves of our soldiers who died on French soil during World War II.Many other cemeteries scattered around our own nation are full of weather beaten headstones, stained by tall grass and choked with weeds. The grave markers are like pearls that have long ago lost their luster and, yet, are as pure as the tears shed by those who once loved these fallen soldiers.