June 21, 2026

To elect, and to reject, is the prerogative of a free people.

Thomas Paine, (1737-1809), English-American political theorist, in National Intelligencer, 29 November 1802, Jay p.283

MEDITATION: How do you treat the privilege of political choice—cheaply, or with reverence? Can you imagine what it would be like not to have the privilege—of electing or rejecting? Would you care?

COMMENTARY: Paine’s brevity is democracy distilled. Freedom isn’t granted; it’s practiced. People forget their right to reject at the same pace they forget how representative government is animated—by the act of voting for your representative.