On the Protectors of Democracy

An American friend — or rather I ought to say the American friend — responding to my recent article, “Democratic Equality 101,” offered the following musing:

The entire discussion of “protecting our democracy” here in the USA makes me want to vomit. The purposeful dumbing down of our citizenry is apparent everywhere. A Constitutional Republic was/is intended to be a safeguard against unruly mobs. True democracy is little more than gang rape dressed in a clean suit.

To which I say: 

As for “protecting your democracy,” I think you are applying the principle of charity in describing pure democracy as “gang rape dressed in a clean suit.” Have you seen what most of your protectors of democracy are wearing these days? I mean the rank and file gang members, not the absentee slumlords in the penthouse counting the money.

But cheers anyway, it’s all going to sort itself out. Not in our lifetimes, but patience is a virtue. As the true conservative Milton (the Renaissance poet, not the American economist) wrote, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

And since I have arrived here, let us take that last point one step further by concluding with the full context of that famous line, Sonnet 19.

When I consider how my light is spent,
   Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
   And that one Talent which is death to hide
   Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
   My true account, lest he returning chide;
   “Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
   I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
   Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best
   Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is Kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed
   And post o’er Land and Ocean without rest:
   They also serve who only stand and wait.”