In God We Trust

Pluralism and the Constitution 

 

By Dr. Rolando M. Ochoa

Given the tensed and uncomfortable climate found today in the United States, I would like to present, define, and analyze the term Pluralism with the hope of helping lower the temperature and expose some realities.

Let me first present several definitions of Pluralism:

Oxford Dictionary:

a condition or system in which two or more states, groups, principles, sources of authority, etc., coexist.

Merriam Webster:

4a: a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain and develop their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization

b: a concept, doctrine, or policy advocating this state.

Thughtco.com:

The political philosophy of pluralism suggests that we really can and should “all just get along.” First recognized as an essential element of democracy by the philosophers of Ancient Greece, pluralism permits and even encourages a diversity of political opinion and participation. (Longley, R. 2019)

https://www.thoughtco.com/pluralism-definition-4692539

Analysis:

For the entire mandate of President Trump, his opponents were free to express their dislike for him and his policies. The main media was vociferous in its criticism and attacks. Under the constitution, they had the right to do so. Those of us who differ from the current Biden administration, also have the right to express it and to debate in the public arena.

When the conservatives were in power, the new left exercised their constitutional right to disagree with President Trump’s administration, but now that the new left is in power, they want to silence those who oppose their agenda by imposing sanctions and intimidation.

The principles of the constitution have not changed with the new administration

The fact that a hand full of misguided individuals, many of them pretending to be associated with President Trump, committed violent acts in January 6, does not make everyone who supported President Trump a terrorist. Those that perpetrated violence, would be judged for their actions, will be sentenced, and jailed. The rest of us, who are peaceful and contributing members of the society, must be able to freely express our dislike for the new administration without fear of reprisal in our jobs, and other activities such asocial media, etc. 

Richard Norman, Ph.D. in his article titled “The idea of Pluralism in the United States (http://ourpluralhistory.stcc.edu/resources/Curriculum/TheIdeaofPluralism.pdf) writes: “ The founders set out to create a political system that could accommodate a multitude of different groups and interest while producing collective agreement that commanded allegiance” (P. 1)

Maimon Schwarzschild (2000) in his article titled: “Value Pluralism and The Constitution” (Updated Feb 16 2021) expresses: “freedom of speech, for example, has obvious overtones of value pluralism: among conflicting ideas, many may be good. So likewise, for religious liberty. The detailed plan for elective office-holding, which occupies a large chunk of the Constitution, also implies value pluralism. Free elections mean that officials and parties with conflicting ideals will tend to alternate with each other. This might seem perverse to a believer in a single ideal or in a unified system of values who would question why falsehood and wrong should be allowed to alternate with truth and goodness.” (P. 2)

https://www.encyclopedia.com/politics/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/value-pluralism-and-constitution

The framers of constitution clearly intended for everyone to have the right to their opinion and the right to express it freely and we do not have to conform with the ideas of the ruling party.

Unity was ignored for the last 4 years by the new left, calls for unity now, are not only a sign of double-standard and hypocrisy, but also a sign of impending desires of totalitarianism.