Why do we so often listen to the "loud minority"?

Question

Poll how many people want (or even care about) to have the words
"under God" removed from the pledge.....

Ask how many think separation of church and state is a real issue for the US.......

Find me 50 people who actually believe descendants of slaves really deserve some kind of payment...........

......and yet all of these issues persist.

Why doesn't the vast majority just tell these few to be quiet and go away? Isn't our country based on majority rule? Why are we always caving-in to these loud-mouth few?

gplay2001: The majority CAN impose their will...thus majority rule. This is my whole point; why doesn't the collective majority just stop listening to the few that just won't go away?

Answer 1

I could answer in my own words, but why do so when the Founding Fathers spoke so well?

What does Thomas Jefferson have to say about the majority simply imposing its will on a minority because it can?

"Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate would be oppression."

"Those who bear equally the burthens of Government should equally participate of its benefits."

"The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest breaks up the foundations of society."

--Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independence

"There is no maxim, in my opinion, which is more liable to be misapplied, and which, therefore, more needs elucidation, than the current one, that the interest of the majority is the political standard of right and wrong”

--James Madison
Author of the United States Constitution

When remembering why we are a Republic and what justice we seek in such rule, it might do us well to remember the Founding Fathers also saw the wisdom in holding ourselves to just and fair behavior precisely because we could, through sheer force, do away with what and who we cared to, blindly and without merit... and in doing so sacrifice all the humanity and justice they sought to create by making a tyrant out of not just one man, but all of them.

Answer 2

Caving in? In America, the citizens have the right to dissent from the "popular" view. How many reforms have been made because the voice of the minority became voice of the majority? The abolishment of slavery was started by the "loud minority." Desegregation and the Equal Rights movement was started by the "loud minority." The women's suffrage movement was started by the "loud minority." The U.S. would be a different place if the majority shut those voices up. People have a right to express their views as loudly as they want...you never know who's listening. Just because you don't agree with someone's views doesn't invalidate them.

Answer 3

The loud minority doesn't believe in majority rule unless it suits them. It doesn't matter what the laws are or the how people vote - if it isn't to their liking then they will protest and file lawsuits. If they ever become the majority they will probably take away free speech so no one can protest them.

Answer 4

Because the needs of the many do not outweigh the needs of the few, or the one. (Captain Kirk)
The majority cannot just impose their will, and if these, and other issues still exist, it is because the issues at hand are important enough to that so called minority that it is fought.

Answer 5

Because we are the "Silent Majority". Most people don't even bother to vote. It's apathy that is rampant in our society. The minority in a democracy should at least be represented. Have a great day.

Answer 6

Oftentimes, the minority is being attended to because they are the only voice fighting the majority which is of course silent. To give in to the issues of the minority will result to peace and order.

Answer 7

Because the majority is sold out for power and wealth.
Case in point: JFK and LBJ's disregard for the Constitution and the will of the people when the sold out the whites to garner black (minority) votes by forcing integration .

Answer 8

Because the media swarm over these groups. You going to work, tending the house, raising the kids and staying clean just aren't newsworthy.

But if Keith Richards falls out of a tree...news at 11!!!

Answer 9

It's called political corruption. What do you expect from Democrats. They scream, holler, and you can't speak to them in the same manner they do you.

Winy @$$ cry baby Marxist's

Answer 10

It's retaliation for that religious thought. They are just trying to even the score.