Preserving Democracy
Efforts should be made to restore civility and honest discourse to politics and governing.
Negative political campaigns and partisan politics alienate voters and discourages participation by citizens in their government. Partisanship is no longer confined to political campaigns but hinders efforts to work cooperatively in the Missouri General Assembly and the U.S. Congress. Although political parties and special interest groups have the right to highlight their differences with opponents, they should not “demonize” other candidates. Rather than sensationalizing and scandal mongering, news media should provide voter education that is impartial, honest, factual, and presents the legitimate differences of opinion among political candidates and office holders.
The common good rather than special interests should be the basis of governing.
Government decisions should be based on common good rather than simple majority rule. Too often reasonable solutions to problems are rejected because of loyalties to political parties and financial backers. Only the broad involvement of citizens in politics and government can restore concern for the common good above special interests.
The non-partisan Missouri court plan should be maintained to keep partisan politics out of the judicial system.
In 1945 the state of Missouri accepted a non-partisan court plan that became a model for judicial reform throughout the nation. The Missouri Plan of selecting judges has worked well for Missouri for over 60 years, but is now under attack by those who seek to inject politics into judicial selection. An independent judiciary is essential to the workings of democracy. The MCC therefore supports maintaining Missouri’s non-partisan plan for selection of judges. |
