Democracy requires getting off our butts
Dear Editor, In Athens, young adults spent two years in public service. Many over 30 formed a huge city council to make laws for the population. In Rome, citizens had extensive and regular civic duties. Elected officials served only one-year terms, so many would have the opportunity of being leaders. In Israel, land-owning parents administered the law among all relatives, boarders, and workers on their land. Parents taught law and literacy to their children. In England, families contributed labor to the castle guard, just as in America, men rotated duty as night watchmen. Both democracies had extensive militia and jury…
