The Bastile was taken on July 14, 1789 by French revolutionaries in search of gun powder. It remains a symbol of the French Revolution for two reasons. According to historians, the monarchy succumbed to its own rigidness which in a changing world assisted the bourgeosie's resentment against absolute power and its resentment against a feudal system along with the emergence of new ideas.
Theses ideas occurred like pioneers that
served to inspire those that would follow, beginning with liberty, brotherhood, equality, the rejection of a divided society and the separation of the State's powers.
Liberty, so that the common citizen could develop their abilities pursue happiness and make personal decisions and social ones that allow them to have some part in determining the destiny of their nation.
Brotherhood in an environment where everyone respects the decisions made and conducts the business of the country as if it were a large family.
Equality before the law, where all citizens, without consideration of color, social position or political influence complies with the norms of the country and no one is above the Constitution and its laws.
A divided society creates chaos in that it is equally important to maintain unity in respect to the majority without ignoring the view of the minority.
The State's powers, executive, legislative and judicial ought to demonstrate a neutral independence that in no way implies that one is more important than the other. The separation of these powers produces a country that can operate in harmony fulfilling each one of its duties and obligations.
These ideals mobilized the French people to make the decision to go against the regime of the monarchy. Today these ideals are now more popular than ever and so it appears that opening the doors of the twenty first century seem nostalgic and reminiscent of a bygone era.
Even so, many people in the world are still confronted today by systems of government that dominate them with a facade of being democratic or a republic while continuing to subjugate the governed. In the last few months in Latin America a revolutionary current has burst forth and in Bolivia they have realized its effects. For the first time ever the indigenous people have elected one of their own to a position of power in the executive branch of government.
The temptation of people with power to exercise absolute power over their population is everpresent.
In Venezuela, the example of Populism, and the eagerness to convert oneself into the “father of all revolutionaries” played out with its President, Hugo Chavez. The reaction of Venzuelans to his attempts to silence his opposition, demonstrates that some who act on behalf of the “revolution” also have their detractors.
Society ought to be alert and vigilant at all times. July 14 should be remembered each year not only for the historic deed that took place that marked the explosion of noble ideals but as a reminder that each citizen should exercise their civic responsibility in order to protect these ideals. It is not enough to simply vote! Civic responsibility does not end at the voting booth. It begins there! The moment you deposit your vote you ought to commence pushing whomever is elected to demand that they fulfill everyone of the promises they made.
Anonymously protesting is a comfortable form of exercising your civic rights but the most effective manner is to be in direct contact with elected officials face to face or by telephone or mail so that they will know you are being vigilant.
In the US the government has numerous ways to be vigilant in its control and monitoring of the public such as the Patriot Act, includinghidden cameras and electronic monitoring. The rights and privileges of the government versus those of the citizen population are limitless but the people should not forget that the three branches of government exist to serve the people and not the other way around.
Lastly, the media has an equal responsibility and that is to recall its mission, to be the conscience of the people it serves.

The Editor