Frank Theriault wrote:
Tue, 26 Apr 2005 20:15:44 -0700
>On 4/26/05, Tom Reese <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: <snip> > In a democracy, the > majority rules. The minority has no rights under the law. The United > States of America is not a democracy. It is a republic. <snip>
"With the greatest of respect, Tom, it seems to me that you (or those who share your viewpoint) are making up definitions to suit their agenda."
I don't have an agenda other than to point out the difference between a republic and a democracy. It's an important distinction. I blame the Democrats and Republicans for the confusion. The Democrats call it a democracy and the Republicans call it a republic because (I suspect) they want the public to associate their political party with the government. I don't support either party.
"The thought that the "minority" has "no rights under the law" is simply wrong."
The minority doesn't have rights under the law in a democracy by definition. The minorities have Constitutionally granted rights under US law. Those rights are what make us a republic.
"By minority, I assume that you mean "those who did not vote for the ruling party"? If it's not them, then who exactly are the "majority" and "minority" to which you refer?"
The majority can be a neighborhood association trying to tell you what color to paint your house, it can be a religious group attempting to dictate public policy, it can be an ethnic group attempting to write laws to discriminate against other ethnic groups etc.
"But here's the thing. In a secret ballot, who knows who the majority and the minority are? So how can you say that the minority "has no rights"? They have the same rights as everyone else."
They have those rights because we (in the US) live in a republic. They would not have them in a democracy.
there are numerous websites detailing the differences between a republic and a democracy:
http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/AmericanIdeal/aspects/demrep.html
search Google for "democracy republic" and you will find enough reading material to keep you busy for the rest of the day.
Tom Reese
