Forum Post: The United States is not a Democracy
Posted 13 years ago on Oct. 26, 2011, 4:25 a.m. EST by ThreeBees
(19)
from Lehigh Acres, FL
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
The United States is not a democracy, it never was and it never should be. Look anywhere in our constitution, research the views of our founding fathers, dig up the the 'bones' of our country and you will not find the word 'democracy' used in a good light.
Democracy is a dangerous political system where the rights of one can be taken away by the opinions of many. Democracy is was brought about the fall of the Roman Empire. Democracy is not what we want.
What we want is a restored Republic. A republic is when the rights of all are protected by laws that are voted on by the opinions of all. If everyone agrees it is so (a good example of this is our justice system; if the jury doesn't agree on guilty you go free.)
We need to hold our government accountable for their unconstitutional activity; it is our responsibility which was given to us by the founding fathers.
Article IV; Section 4 of The United States of America Constitution
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence."
Republican Government.
One of the important things to remember is that our constitution was created during a time when the majority of citizens were uneducated; so there are several out dated rulings we could do away with. (Among other things, the cabinet's right to vote for president.)
If a democracy is what you want, prepare for our continued decline into madness, financial depression, corporate figureheads with unlimited power, and starvation. Democracy is not ruled by the people, it's ruled by the money.
While it's true we were founded as a republic and not a democracy, the term democracy has changed meaning over the years. Although the technical or legal definition may not have changed, democracy as the general population understands it, and I believe the context in which it's used is:
Webster's Dictionary: "A government in which the people hold the ruling power either directly or through elected representatives; rule by the ruled. The principle of equality of rights, opportunity, and treatment, or the practice of this principle."
Funk and Wagnalls Dictionary: "A theory of government which, in its purest form, holds that the state should be controlled by all the people, each sharing equally in privileges, duties, and responsibilities and each participating in person in the government. In practice, control is vested in elected officers who may be upheld or removed by the people."
Thorndike Barnhart Dictionary: "Government that is run directly or indirectly by the people who live under it. Country, state or community having such a government."
American Heritage Dictionary: "1. Government by the people, either exercised directly or through elected representatives. 2.A political or social unit that has such a government. 3. The common people considered as the primary source of political power. 4. Majority rule. 5. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within the community."
I think a lot of people misunderstand the modern interpretation of the word. What we need is most definitely a democracy, according to the modern interpretation. Just saying.
Just to clarify, gnomunny, America was founded under certain principals. If those principals are not in line with what you believe, there are many European countries that are probably more to your liking. I'm not saying "get over it or get out," but if you're not happy with what we have now and you're not happy with what America is SUPPOSED to be: are you ever going to be happy with what we become?
I wrote about democracy at the bottom of this post http://ablogandabrain.blogspot.com/2011/10/open-response-to-occupy-wall-st-and.html