On MLK, Jr. Day

Dissatisfaction with government has a long history in this country. Henry David Thoreau noted this in his 1849 essay “Civil Disobedience,” where he claimed that to achieve “at once a better government,” individuals first have to become more just themselves before the government will follow suit. He further suggested that people needed to live their faith, not give lip service to it. Then the State would be just to all and “treat each individual with respect as a neighbor.” However, being just with one another and treating each other with respect and dignity have yet to happen, at any level (in...