The Great Task
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It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. |
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Abraham Lincoln
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania November 19, 1863 |
There is a deep meaning in President Lincoln's statement, and it still rings true, more than 145 years after the speech.
Government of the people means that the government belongs to the people and is accountable to the people.
Government by the people means that the government is elected by the people and must represent the people it governs.
Government for the people means that the government must work for the people's benefit.
As Lincoln had said, such government is not a guarantee. Rather, this is an ongoing task to insure that such government exists. Each and every generation of American citizens have to work to make sure that our government - on all levels - is accountable to us, consists of representatives who are in touch with people's needs and dutifully work to address them.
The obvious starting point with this task is to ask a question - do American people have a government that is of the people, by the people, and for the people?
