Government exists for the good of those over which it is sovereign—or so it should. Some people, some years ago, at some place, decided on the formation of a social contract, which obliged those in power to serve and protect its citizens, who must renounce their unfettered freedom to receive the many benefits promised by a government.
Governments exist because the citizens grant them power. Ultimately, the people are the ones in power. It is only fear and ignorance which keeps them from realizing this. Once the master can no longer oppress and subjugate the slave, he ceases to be a master.
Democracy, with all its failures, is that form of government which is loved by the many and regarded as vile by the few. But, as far as the formation of governments is concerned, it is the few who wield no real power. For as long as the masses feel like they have no power, however, it is democracy which stands as the only beacon of hope and light in an otherwise bereaved world.
America was founded, so the story goes, as a democratic nation. But it is a limited democracy at best. Every four years, Americans get to go to the polls and press "yes" or "no" for the candidate they wish to see in office, or the law they wish to see passed. We vote for electorates who are supposed to represent our views but aren't under any legal obligations to do so. We have virtually no control over what congress, the president, and his office decides is the best course of action for our country. This is all very ironic since by nature, it is with the people that power ultimately resides.
Given the very limited power that democracy in America yields to its citizens, I think we have the right to know what goes on behind closed doors. Trump is going to be our next president. And although I still have feelings of ambivalence about his presidency, I have strong feelings that the American people deserve to observe, in real time, the president's meetings with CEOs and other political leaders. No more confidential meetings, no more secrecy and no more lies. Every one of his meetings should be televised, unless they involve matters of national security.
Trump was a star on the former reality TV show, "The Apprentice." Now he is our president. Why not turn America into a reality TV show? It's already one of the leading entertainment capitals of the world, and now we have an entertainer as our Commander in Chief. It's time we give the people an entirely transparent government.
We have a right to know what government does in secrecy, what it does with our taxpayer money, and the actions it plans to actuate before they are actuated. This would have revolutionary consequences. But the people should not sit idly by, watching as the effects of government unravel before their eyes. Just like there would be no master if there was no slave, there would be no government if there were no citizens. The citizens hold the real power, but governments wield the sword. Once the people realize that that sword is a blunt one, their true power will shine.
