GRUMBLERS: Try running for office

Ancient citizen-rulers have transmuted into modern citizen-grumblers. Every citizen of Athens, circa 510 B.C., was a citizen-ruler, ipso facto. Modern citizens deride their "rulers" and suspect scheming, saying things like, "The idiots lied to us, "He is a Socialist," and, "That stupid Congress."

In ancient Athens, every man was bequeathed authority, "demos kratein," (the people rule) to appoint generals and all other officials. They had pure democracy.

Sparta defeated Athens in 404 B.C. Pure democracy ended. Sparta regarded democracy as "mob rule." Rule by citizens eventually morphed into a cyclical duty with them delegating fewer to rule.

Voters' querulousness suggests misunderstanding of "representative democracy." America follows a "trustee model of representation." Voters entrust candidates to act in their interest. If "idiots" or "stupid" people acquire office, then "idiotic"or "stupid" voting occurred. Voters cannot scrutinize for candidate effectiveness. Effectiveness is not visible, but logic can be heard. Assess campaign logorrhea. Listen for syllogistic thinking. Campaign promises are "bovine digestive residue." Voters did not vote for Truman to end World War II, or for Lincoln to end the Civil War - they heard mesmerizing logic.

An alternative for grumblers is to run for office. However, most grumblers are too faint of heart to rule, and too derisive of those who do rule. If victorious, grumblers will learn, sheepishly, that it is much easier to criticize than to be productive.

The English model of parliamentary democracy contains a proviso to squelch grumbler mentality. Losers are conferred His or Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Losers are not to foment fuss. Losers will have their turn by winning, not by whining.

FREDERICK FUECHSEL

Coeur d'Alene