[StumpedTechy]

I am sure this will get people riled up thus placed it in CD... but if we in the United States od America are a republic, then why aren't we trying to spread republic views rather than Democratic ones?

Just so people can see the differences - http://www.c4cg.org/republic.htm (I love the part equating a lynch mob to a democracy)

Since peoples views change day to day who is to say todays majority will be tomorrows majority?

It always tears me up when people talk about us in the US being a democratic society because we simply aren't. I think there is a large amount of people who just don't understand that we are a Republic. Look at our documents, our voting process, our governmental branches.

I just simply ask why....

[Stoner]

The form of the US government is a federal republic and our society is a democratic one.

then why aren't we trying to spread republic views rather than Democratic ones?

Short answer....because the concept of a 'Republic' also includes various forms of totalitarian rule/Communism from the extinct Soviets to the Chinese.
Being 'democratic' infers the right of the general population to choose their representation.
In a communist scenario, the choices are provided by the ruling party.


BTW...a lynch mob is more to the imagery of anarchy.

[buffoon]

Originally Posted by StumpedTechy

I am sure this will get people riled up thus placed it in CD... but if we in the United States od America are a republic, then why aren't we trying to spread republic views rather than Democratic ones?

Just so people can see the differences - http://www.c4cg.org/republic.htm (I love the part equating a lynch mob to a democracy)

Since peoples views change day to day who is to say todays majority will be tomorrows majority?

It always tears me up when people talk about us in the US being a democratic society because we simply aren't. I think there is a large amount of people who just don't understand that we are a Republic. Look at our documents, our voting process, our governmental branches.

I just simply ask why....

If one looks at the ancient Greek origins of the term democracy (demos... = the people, kratos = the strength, the rule) and the democracy of ancient Athens one can see the problems that arise with true democracy. Athens fell because of it. Everybody wanted to go sailing but no one wanted to work the boat.

Lot of countries calling themselves democratic but none truly is. The US works on democratic principles and not on total democracy and in that is a lot better off than many of the world's "republics".

Having an elected parliament (senate) is the key to democratic principles ruling. This equally applies to constitutional monarchies like UK, Netherlands, Spain etc.

[pyritechips]

Originally Posted by buffoon

If one looks at the ancient Greek origins of the term democracy (demos... = the people, kratos = the strength, the rule) and the democracy of ancient Athens one can see the problems that arise with true democracy. Athens fell because of it. Everybody wanted to go sailing but no one wanted to work the boat.

Lot of countries calling themselves democratic but none truly is. The US works on democratic principles and not on total democracy and in that is a lot better off than many of the world's "republics".

Having an elected parliament (senate) is the key to democratic principles ruling. This equally applies to constitutional monarchies like UK, Netherlands, Spain etc.

Correction. Ancient Greece did not have "true democracy". their brand of democracy was for a select few. The upper crust. The elite. As in the Roman Empire, one needed to be a citizen to have a vote. Even America and Canada didn't have a true democracy until recently. Blacks and women weren't allowed to vote. Are criminals allowed to vote?

[Sarge]

Originally Posted by pyritechips

Correction. Ancient Greece did not have "true democracy". their brand of democracy was for a select few. The upper crust. The elite. As in the Roman Empire, one needed to be a citizen to have a vote. Even America and Canada didn't have a true democracy until recently. Blacks and women weren't allowed to vote. Are criminals allowed to vote?

Not felons

[pyritechips]

Originally Posted by Sarge

Not felons

Why not?

[Littlefield]

The US Constitution never explicitly ensures the right to vote and a felon takes away his privilege if he is convicted.

[pyritechips]

Originally Posted by Littlefield

The US Constitution never explicitly ensures the right to vote and a felon takes away his privilege if he is convicted.

Thanks; I didn't know that. If that is the case how can the US be a true democracy? Voting is a privilege, not a right?

[Littlefield]

The US is not a democracy as it is a republic.
Yep nowhere in the US Constitution does it guarantee the right for all to vote.

[pyritechips]

Originally Posted by Littlefield

The US is not a democracy as it is a republic.
Yep nowhere in the US Constitution does it guarantee the right for all to vote.

I'll have to let somebody else field that, as I am not up on American constitutional law. "not a democracy". Interesting.

[buffoon]

Originally Posted by pyritechips

Correction. Ancient Greece did not have "true democracy". their brand of democracy was for a select few. The upper crust. The elite. As in the Roman Empire, one needed to be a citizen to have a vote. Even America and Canada didn't have a true democracy until recently. Blacks and women weren't allowed to vote. Are criminals allowed to vote?

True! They also needed slaves to do the work of the deckhands. Rome, I guess, could never be called a democracy compared with Athens for instance, poor as that democracy was in the sense of (all) people ruling. Rome was a republic. At times. Cesar stopped that.

Didn't want to clutter things up with too much detail.

[buffoon]

Originally Posted by pyritechips

I'll have to let somebody else field that, as I am not up on American constitutional law. "not a democracy". Interesting.

Yup. Littlefield speaks not with forked tongue Anyone know any democracy, that is to say a country calling itself "the democracy of...."?
I reckon you'll find "Republic" in the name at best.

[Littlefield]

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands .
We are a Constitutional Republic.

[buffoon]

Originally Posted by Littlefield

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands .
We are a Constitutional Republic.

That's important. Britain has no written constitution. It works ok but you can't bring anything to court as being unconstitutional.

[thingamajig]

Originally Posted by Sarge

Not felons

ex-Felons do have voting rights in most states.

http://www.aclu.org/votingrights/exo...olicy2007.html

Originally Posted by Littlefield

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands .
We are a Constitutional Republic.

100% correct. Here is a good explanation.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=pl_d31_1232904970