Improving health and democracy

Like to help rebuild democracy in Iowa while improving your health? Read on.

Democracy cannot be pulled, like a magician’s rabbit, out of a hat. We don’t create “democracy.” But we can — if we will — work to create the columns, the foundation, from which a democracy can burst forth and survive like the perennials of spring in a well-tended garden.

What are those columns? A civic society, public education and libraries, subscriptions and advertising to support an independent press, a judiciary of skilled non-partisan judges. Agencies with ombudspersons and independent audits, county auditors who make it easier for citizens to vote, and public officials who campaign and govern with civility and the self-restraint of yesterday’s political norms.

Those officials and citizens know that in a democracy politics has no business walking its manure-covered muddy boots into a doctor’s office, classroom, library, newsroom, courtroom, or polling station, spouting hate and further enriching wealthy oligarchs.

So they speak up, not with guns or social media threats, but with a, “That’s not Iowa nice. Stop it. You’re weakening our democracy.”

What else do they do? What could you do? You know most of the list, but here are some examples worth repeating.

Register and vote. Get to know your elected and appointed local officials. Let them hear from you. Attend their public meetings and speak up. Use petitions and public demonstrations when appropriate.

Up your knowledge of democracy, authoritarianism, and local issues. Thank and otherwise support your community’s teachers, librarians, journalists, judges and democracy-supporting public officials. Give gift subscriptions to newspapers. Write letters to the editor — and public officials. Be a role model.

Join civic associations, including those fulfilling citizens’ obligations. Give them the money and time you can.

It turns out joining groups of any kind is a win-win. Good for democracy and good for your health.

The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, writes that half of adult Americans reported a sense of loneliness — even before the COVID-19 pandemic. His advisory continues, “Loneliness … is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day …”

What does he prescribe? “Participate in social and community groups such as fitness, religious, hobby, professional, and community service organizations to foster a sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose.”

He might have added, “while strengthening our democracy.”

There are too many sources of information about Iowa’s challenges and possibilities to list all. But if you’re willing to take action, check out Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI), https://www.iowacci.org/ and Progress Iowa, https://www.progressiowa.org/. Or, if more to your liking, The Niskanen Center, https://www.niskanencenter.org/ and Ripon Society, https://riponsociety.org/.

Here's to your health — and a democracy for your grandchildren.

Nicholas Johnson is the author of “Columns of Democracy.” mailbox@nicholasjohnson.org