No, thanks for trying to help, but I did understand that. It is one of Tim's little hobby-horses. Not true of course -- parliamentary democracies do in fact have constitutions and opposition parties -- but yes, it is a familiar objection.
As for my sarcastic agreement, I believe you understood me, but let me make sure. The bumper sticker on my Jeep says "We don't have a democracy. We have an auction." Any, thanks, as I said, for trying to help. >> >We are not a democratic nation. Stop saying that please. >> damn right. For the wrong reasons, of course, but quite right. > >You misunderstand Tim's (and my own) frustration on the differences. >The US is *not* a democracy in the absolute defintion of a democracy. >Nor is it one by our constitution. The US is a republic, not a >democracy. > >The biggest distinction is that with a democracy the majory rules, >period. Rule of law, constitution and will of the minority or >individual be damned, the majority rules. In a republic there is a >Constitution that has been put in place to protect the God-given >rights of the individual as well as provide some powers and checks and >balances for the Minority. > >If we were a true democracy then the Democrats would not have a >"minority whip" in the house and senate, nor would republicans be >forced to allow a certain number of democrats on every pannel, group >and committee that is formed. Concepts such as the Veto and the >Fillibuster would be nonexistant and the majority government would >appoint people into positions without the consent of the houses of >congress. > >Hatton ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:195862 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
