Democracy in America 2

[Wry Catcher]

Too many make the argument that the US is not a democratic republic, and insist on making a sophist's meme we are a Constitutional Republic.

We are a nation of laws, and the Constitution is the supreme law of our land, however, other nations which have constitutions are not democratic, even when they claim to be a republic (see North Korea whose official title is: Democratic People's Republic of Korea).

Does anyone believe N. Korea is Democratic, and it legislature is elected by all the citizens in free and open elections?

Consider and comment on these quotes,

“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
― Issac Asimov

“As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
― H.L. Mencken

“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

and explain why and if you feel the United States is not a democratic nation in word and practice.

 

[Maxdeath]

I don't think you understand the word democracy. You might want to look it up. When was the last time you voted with the house or senate on a bill?

We elect representatives who then vote for bills and other things in our stead. That being said they often vote for whatever the money that is paying them requires them to vote. Most are more be holding to special intrests then they are to those they should be representing.

There are plenty of people who believe that the constitution, bill of rights, and other founding documents are set in stone and should not be changed or removed. There are just as many that feel these same documents are able to be changed, removed added to on a whim.
Which side is right depends on your interpretation of what type of country we are. Until we as a country can define how these founding documents are interpreted we can not really determine what our country will be and continue as.

 

[BULLDOG]

I don't think you understand the word democracy. You might want to look it up. When was the last time you voted with the house or senate on a bill?

We elect representatives who then vote for bills and other things in our stead. That being said they often vote for whatever the money that is paying them requires them to vote. Most are more be holding to special intrests then they are to those they should be representing.

There are plenty of people who believe that the constitution, bill of rights, and other founding documents are set in stone and should not be changed or removed. There are just as many that feel these same documents are able to be changed, removed added to on a whim.
Which side is right depends on your interpretation of what type of country we are. Until we as a country can define how these founding documents are interpreted we can not really determine what our country will be and continue as.

Changes to the constitution can never be made on a whim. There is a defined procedure for that, and it is very un-whim-like.

 

[Crepitus]

As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.

If this is true then we're there. It's time to flush and let someone else take a turn.

 

[Crepitus]

I don't think you understand the word democracy. You might want to look it up. When was the last time you voted with the house or senate on a bill?

We elect representatives who then vote for bills and other things in our stead. That being said they often vote for whatever the money that is paying them requires them to vote. Most are more be holding to special intrests then they are to those they should be representing.

There are plenty of people who believe that the constitution, bill of rights, and other founding documents are set in stone and should not be changed or removed. There are just as many that feel these same documents are able to be changed, removed added to on a whim.
Which side is right depends on your interpretation of what type of country we are. Until we as a country can define how these founding documents are interpreted we can not really determine what our country will be and continue as.

That's called "representative democracy".

 

[Sunsettommy]

The Constitution itself says it is a REPUBLIC, have you forgotten the Pledge of Allegiance?

Democracy is direct vote, Republic is representative vote

REPUBLIC vs. DEMOCRACY

Excerpt:

"A republic and a democracy are identical in every aspect except one. In a republic the sovereignty is in each individual person. In a democracy the sovereignty is in the group.

Republic. That form of government in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whom those powers are specially delegated. [NOTE: The word "people" may be either plural or singular. In a republic the group only has advisory powers; the sovereign individual is free to reject the majority group-think. USA/exception: if 100% of a jury convicts, then the individual loses sovereignty and is subject to group-think as in a democracy.]

Democracy. That form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and is exercised by the whole body of free citizens directly or indirectly through a system of representation, as distinguished from a monarchy, aristocracy, or oligarchy. [NOTE: In a pure democracy, 51% beats 49%. In other words, the minority has no rights. The minority only has those privileges granted by the dictatorship of the majority."

 

[Maxdeath]

I don't think you understand the word democracy. You might want to look it up. When was the last time you voted with the house or senate on a bill?

We elect representatives who then vote for bills and other things in our stead. That being said they often vote for whatever the money that is paying them requires them to vote. Most are more be holding to special intrests then they are to those they should be representing.

There are plenty of people who believe that the constitution, bill of rights, and other founding documents are set in stone and should not be changed or removed. There are just as many that feel these same documents are able to be changed, removed added to on a whim.
Which side is right depends on your interpretation of what type of country we are. Until we as a country can define how these founding documents are interpreted we can not really determine what our country will be and continue as.

Changes to the constitution can never be made on a whim. There is a defined procedure for that, and it is very un-whim-like.

Tell that to those that fight all the time to confiscate guns or stifle free speech or claim that such and such judgment in a court has created a law of the land. Get back to me when you have.

 

[BULLDOG]

I don't think you understand the word democracy. You might want to look it up. When was the last time you voted with the house or senate on a bill?

We elect representatives who then vote for bills and other things in our stead. That being said they often vote for whatever the money that is paying them requires them to vote. Most are more be holding to special intrests then they are to those they should be representing.

There are plenty of people who believe that the constitution, bill of rights, and other founding documents are set in stone and should not be changed or removed. There are just as many that feel these same documents are able to be changed, removed added to on a whim.
Which side is right depends on your interpretation of what type of country we are. Until we as a country can define how these founding documents are interpreted we can not really determine what our country will be and continue as.

Changes to the constitution can never be made on a whim. There is a defined procedure for that, and it is very un-whim-like.

Tell that to those that fight all the time to confiscate guns or stifle free speech or claim that such and such judgment in a court has created a law of the land. Get back to me when you have.

Really no need for me to tell anybody. Those are the rules, and if anybody wants to change the constitution, that's how they will do it.

 

[Wry Catcher]

I don't think you understand the word democracy. You might want to look it up. When was the last time you voted with the house or senate on a bill?

We elect representatives who then vote for bills and other things in our stead. That being said they often vote for whatever the money that is paying them requires them to vote. Most are more be holding to special intrests then they are to those they should be representing.

There are plenty of people who believe that the constitution, bill of rights, and other founding documents are set in stone and should not be changed or removed. There are just as many that feel these same documents are able to be changed, removed added to on a whim.
Which side is right depends on your interpretation of what type of country we are. Until we as a country can define how these founding documents are interpreted we can not really determine what our country will be and continue as.

Our nation's experience with self government has lasted for centuries, because every two years we can vote on how our representatives govern and if they deserve to remain our representative.

(d)emocracy is not a word describing a singular form of government, direct democracy exists in the US in states which have the Initiative, Referendum and Recall.

None of which is granted to the people in COTUS**, or in the body of federal law.

Representative democracy is what we have, no matter how many claim democracy in America does not exist. Direct democracy elects the members of the H. or Rep. and the members of the Senate, not so with the President, the VP and Cabinet Officers or Federal Judges. The last two are confirmed by the Senate.

**The 10th Amendment adds a conundrum - it suggests, "or to the people" that a Referendum is permitted in COTUS, but no Referendum has every been placed on the ballot in Federal Matters.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

A republic and a representative democracy but not a true democracy.

 

[Wry Catcher]

A republic and a representative democracy but not a true democracy.

Duh. In short, we are a democratic republic.