Decided

 Majority rules. It's a phrase and an ideology we have all heard since we were born. In America, the majority rules. This is a Democracy. The truth is slightly different however as we are a constitutional republic containing some democratic principles. The majority, in our Congress, requires 2/3 of the representatives to vote in the affirmative for legislation to pass. Yes, there are instances where a simple majority will suffice. That is what a true Democracy entitles, a simple majority, mob rule. The largest mob rules even when there is only one more member of that mob. In short, the 51 overrule the 49. 

 Now in a Republic with representatives acting on behalf of the voting public a simple majority isn't enough. Of course, the ideal is that everyone is represented. That representation should also be equal. In the United States today (according to the 2021census) this breaks down in the following way. American Indians .7%, Asians 5.9%, Black 12.6%, Latino 18.7% multiracial 2.3% and white 59.3%. So, that should be the makeup of Congress. It's not. It isn't even close. But that would be if the only qualification for office was your racial identity. It certainly seems obvious enough that each racial group is not voting for their representative based solely on their race. That's a good thing by the way.

 The thing is this. Is each racial group somehow different from one another? You hear about culture as the defining measure. There is black culture, Asian culture, Native American culture and a host of others based on their ancestral roots. Does each culture want something different? Personally, from my experience of nearly seventy years, they do not. At the core they do not. People are pretty much people no matter where they came from or what ethnic group they belong to. It is true however that people will use whatever tools they have available to gain an edge, some advantage, including their race or ethnicity. 

 To me that explains the demographics of our congress. That is to say why it isn't a direct reflection of the percentages present in the voting public. Fortunately, voters are not voting strictly on race but on their beliefs. Fifty-nine per cent of the American population are white people. It's a number in decline. Yet in Congress that number is closer to 75%. That means the other demographic communities must be voting for these candidates. If only whites voted for whites the number would be 59.3%. Another demographic group, one based in their sexual orientation comprises 5.5% of the population. Yet that 5.5% have gained significant legislative measures in their favor, the other 94.5% yielding to them. If we went solely on the majority rules that certainly couldn't happen. 

 All I'm saying here is this narrative that the majority are white people, and the system is systemically racist is false. The Constitution was written for all people. It applies to everyone equally today. It's true that wasn't always the case but that's what the Bill of Rights and the attendant amendments are all about. In the Declaration of Independence, it was clearly stated, "all men are created equal." That was the basis for the republic we all enjoy today. Remember there were those that opposed that idea as well. We called them Loyalists. Those people believed in the divine right of kings and that a monarch had the right to do as he/she pleased. They believed that in return for the protection the King (government) provided. The cost was freedom. There are those today that would do the same in exchange for a monthly stipend and the freedom to engage in any activities they desire. We call those folks Democrats! 

 I take some solace in knowing that nearly 75% of congress still represent the voters of this nation. That is why that number exists. It isn't a vote for white culture. What is white culture? The Europeans that migrated to this continent came from many different cultures themselves. In the early twentieth century America became the great melting pot, all cultures coming together. If there is such a thing as white culture that would have to be it. That is what votes to keep that congress at about a75% level, a two-thirds, a majority. Remember only 59.6% are white people, not enough to control the show. In fact, 15.4% short of the required number to do that. Blacks comprise 12.6% of the population yet outnumber Latinos in Congress despite the fact that Latinos represent 18.9%. Native Americans number .7% so they shouldn't have any representative at all yet have six! And that's not even counting Elizabeth Warren. 

  I see this as equal representation. Everyone has an equal chance to run for office. There are no barriers to that based on race. And in the current administration you certainly have to say sexual preferences certainly don't make a difference. We have non-binary, transgenders, lesbians, gays, and those that can't decide what they are at all holding office. Although I belong to the demographic group in the majority, that 59.6% that says I'm white, all of that remains true. My majority isn't enough. It's the price of freedom I suppose. You have to take the bad with the good. I remain confident that the majority will make the correct decision. I may not agree with that decision but that doesn't make it wrong, or right. It's simply decided.