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We’re NOT a democracy

republic if you can keep it

Democracies are anathema

          Periodically, we hear from notable people, fellow citizens and organizations, as to the benefits of having a democracy. One can hardly escape the heightened promotion of such a government during a general election year. But for all the accolades related to a democracy, it must be promoted ignorantly or on purpose, as that word is not mentioned in our Republic’s founding documents, and is diametrically opposite to what the Founding Fathers set in place.

The most contentious and extended debate during the Constitutional Convention, in the summer of 1787, was regarding how each state was to be represented. The bigger states wanted it by population, but the smaller states realized such an arrangement would not be in their best interest. It was finally agreed that a Senate would be part of the Constitution, with two senators from each state, as that body would be a check and balance against the U. S. House. 

The Electoral College, was also formed, as another way to dilute democratic principles. Only in a four instances (1876, 1888, 2000, 2016) has the Electors’ vote gone against the outcome of the popular vote. Sounds unfair, but the Founders were well aware of the dangers of an unfettered democratic form of government.

A pure democracy is unwise because citizens tend to cast their vote by emotional factors, while wisdom, logic and long-term effects are far from their thought patterns. Still doubtful? Have you taken the opportunity to discuss with family and friends, just how they were going to vote any hot topic issue, or candidate, and noticed the often unrelated or out-of-context factors they spew out, as to how they made their decision? Very few voters truly pay attention between election cycles , but they suddenly become experts on their preferred candidates, just a few weeks before voting.

The following quotes should educate us as to why our Republic was set up by the Founders:

     “The evils we experience flow from the excess of democracy. The people do not want [that is, do not lack] virtue but are the dupes of pretended patriots.”  –  Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814)

“  .  .  . democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.” – James Madison, Federalist #10      

“We are now forming a republican government. [Liberty] is found not in “the extremes of democracy but in moderate governments. … If we incline too much to democracy, we shall soon shoot into a monarchy.” –Alexander Hamilton

     “Remember Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes exhausts and murders itself. There never was a Democracy Yet, that did not commit suicide. It is in vain to Say that Democracy is less vain, less proud, less selfish, less ambitious or less avaricious than Aristocracy or Monarchy. It is not true in Fact and no where appears in history.” — John Adams, from a letter to John Taylor, 17 December, 1814

     “Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos.” — John Marshall, fourth chief justice of the U. S. Supreme Court

    Naysayers may complain or ask what has been said about a Republican form of government, that it is exactly what the Founders were striving for. Fortunately there is ample evidence to show that a republican style political system, was decided on purpose, after a close look at history.

     When the constitutional convention was wrapping up, on September 18, 1787 and as Benjamin Franklin was leaving Independence Hall, was asked by Mrs. Powel, if their discussions and votes gave the United States a monarchy or a republic, to which Franklin replied, “a Republic, if you can keep it.”

     Even in the U. S. Constitution itself, Article 4, Section 4, it reads, “The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, . . .”

     The Father of our country, George Washington, in his first inaugural address, in 1789, stated, “And since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty, and the destiny of the Republican model of Government, are justly considered as deeply, perhaps as finally staked, on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.”  – George Washington, First Inaugural Address, April 30, 1789     

     Consider part of the Pledge of Allegiance, “and to the Republic, for which it stands . . .,” and a well-known and well-loved song, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

     What a powerful and beautiful result would take place, if the average citizen studied what the inspired Founding Fathers actually said and did – and for what reasons – rather then the partial information usually shown in the mainstream media. Ignorance is not bliss and never will be.

Leo Lindquist

Vice President

Independent American Patriots

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