The will of the people... is the only legitimate foundation of any government

The title is taken from the writings of Thomas Jefferson. I happened to see it the other day and the words caused me to reflect on what happened in the just concluded national election, I can't help but think the efforts made to suppress voting in certain parts of the country are an echo of the situation before the Voting Rights Act was passed. And this was no less than the final brick to crumble in the construct that had enabled Jim Crow laws to be implemented and enforced. It shows the simple truth that voting is a way to change how we live among one another.

I had earlier wondered about what had brought about the end of the Great Migration. Well, it must have been in great part due to the inclusion of minority voters in the electorate. To finally have a voice on the town or county council. A say in where police should be deployed or where money for civic projects should be spent.

Just after the US election, China also selected new leadership for its country. I watched Bill Moyers talk to James Fallows about the two elections. One comment by Mr. Fallows was that the Chinese government had not yet caught up to the will of its people. It seems in terms of a government's survival, this is its biggest challenge - how to reflect the will of the people as closely as possible.

Another country I am familiar with is Cameroon, In my 2007 visit, it was clear at that time the population considered the government as an obstacle or at least not doing its part. The movement of money and communication among the people had improved in recent years, due in the first to the introduction of two money transfer companies, Western Union and Moneygram, and in the second because of widely available cell phone service which did not charge the receiver of a call. The increased economic activity and concomitant pressure for political freedom of expression were areas in which the government had not kept up with the people. I am not sure how well the Cameroonian government has done in this regard over the last 5 years.

But my estimation is that unlike China and Cameroon the US does have a way to bring the government in line with the will of the people, at least as well as any country. The mechanism is first and foremost via voting and the subsequent peaceful transition of power that occurs. Voting is taken for granted by many people and for good reason in some cases. But this election has reminded me of the value elections can have in the progress and growth of a country.