First, let me express sympathy for the families that are missing their loved ones in Minnesota.
The possible cracks in the Minnesota bridge reveal the cracks in our democracy that risk the collapse of what we cherish. I would stand at the front of the line defending our system of government. Yet, it has its deficiencies. Like cracks in a bridge, our system has cracks that we may have noticed in an inspection, but, fail to repair. The news accounts now inform us that the Minnesota bridge was "structurally deficient" similar to thousands of other bridges that we drive on. Tonight's news revealed that reports in 2005 and 2006 revealed serious concerns.
These same cracks were viewable in New Orleans. Also in the anti-terrorism group in Washington. These cracks are clearly visible in our education system (i.e. drop out rates, education achievement, school violence, and poor college persistence).
Our democracy depends on elected representatives, leaders and bureacrats, to do the job that we all would do ourselves if given the responsibility. Make no mistake, our government belongs to us. It is as good as us and no better than us. At any time, if we are unhappy with its course, we can change it. We simply fire, vote out, impeach or indict the scoundrels not doing the job that we would do.
The cracks in our society reveal our shortcomings as voters in this society. We choose not to read the news. We choose not to vote. We choose to not go to school.
We choose to not care until a calamity happens. Until a bridge falls. Or a hurricane hits. Or a levy breaks. Or a plane flies into a building. Then we express outrage.
We as a country, a state and a town need to see the cracks and begin to repair them. Not just in the bridge but in ourselves. We must repair the cracks in our society from a poor education and a poor understanding of civic responsibility.
