Democracy codified the Golden Rule. It matters how we speak to one another. It matters what we expect from one another. It matters if we obey the laws we the people put in place. 

If we lose the belief that every person deserves a dignified response, if we stop fighting to know the truth and to demand the facts, if we lose the healthy fear of lawbreaking, then we lose democracy. Why? Because we established the laws, and we defined the socially acceptable behaviors to protect us.

If we forget what freedom was like; if we disrespect those with the longest memories; if we stop telling our stories; if we forget to act with courage; if we lose sight that selfishness weakens us all, even the selfish; if we are fooled into thinking that money is power, and we forget that character is determinative, then we lose democracy. 

It matters if we are willing to help each other. It matters if we believe ignoring the suffering of one weakens us all. Democracy gives power to the people but also ongoing obligation. Government distributes wealth and provides goods and services. A democratic government does that fairly and kindly. Other forms of government favor the rich or the powerful or a particular ethnic group to the detriment of the others. When that happens, we must do our best to help our neighbors. The Golden Rule is the underpinning of democracy.

The battle is not between Democrats and Republicans. The battle is between the kindly and the unkind, the takers and the sharers, the bullies and those who will not bully, those with common sense and those without. They come from all parties; they are found in all walks of life.