How democratic do you think the United States is?

Question

I don't believe that the US represents much of what democracy stands for. We lack the direct citizen participation which can be fixed by eliminating the Electoral College and giving more power to the states and local governing assemblies. What other reforms do you think can be made to make the United States more democratic?

Answer 1

KM! You are a true patriot! Thank you for taking the bullets.

Let me add portions of a post never actually made but relevant.

Everyone knows the famous story about Benjamin Franklin being asked, “What kind of government will we have?” His answer was, “ A Republic…if you can keep it.”

Today everyone calls America a democracy. The word ‘democracy’ does not appear in any of the founding documents. A true democracy is nothing more than mob rule. We vote in America, but we have a system that is meant to reduce the possibility of the majority taking advantage of the minority and visa versa.

The congress weakened this protection when they based the number of representatives on a fixed number, out of convenience, rather than having the number of seats based on the population of the individual states as was the original design. Now, the House of Representatives is nothing more than a larger version of the Senate, representing the population centers of each state.

Today, the word democracy is used synonymously with Socialism and the word Socialism is used instead of Communism. For example, Socialist Hugo Chavez. Hugo Chavez is a communist. He believes in the government ownership of all property. Socialist allow individuals to be stewards of property, but believe that government has the right to regulate how property is held, maintained, managed and disposed of.

One of the most dangerous thing that could happen to the U.S.A. would be an attempt to eliminate the Electorial Process by the Socialists who call themselves Democrats. Hillary Clinton is one who has stated that she would be in favor of eliminating the Electorial College.

**Will someone please explain how the Electorial College can possibly takes power away from the states.

Please read the U.S. Constitution.

Answer 2

We are a Republic. It is better than pure democracy.

A democracy is a majority rule and is destructive of liberty because there is no law to prevent the majority from trampling on individual rights. Whatever the majority says goes! A lynch mob is a good example of pure democracy in action. There is only one disenting vote-and that is cast by the person at the end of the rope.

A republic is a government of law under a Constitution. The Constitution holds the government in check and prevents the majority (acting through their government) from violating the rights of the individual. Under this system of government a lynch mob is illegal. The suspected criminal cannot be denied his right to a fair trial even if the majority of the citizenry demands otherwise.

We will either be governed by laws or ruled by men. Because of man's nature, rule by men has always ended in tyranny. Only under a government of laws will our God-given rights be secure.

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Answer 3

We are not a democracy we are a republic = One man represents the interests of many - We have a BIG Brother that we need proof to buy cough medicine but can buy knives, bows and arrows and other weapons with zip proof. We have guns galore but spray paint locked up. We have taxes taking out a bigger percentage of our income than we sometimes perceive. Figure income tax - now subtract from that net - sales tax - fees for permits and licenses - property tax or portion of your rent being paid to the government - bridge tolls - tax's and sir taxes on parking lots - look at a phone bill - sir charges on gas guzzlers - fines for traffic court - etc etc etc

Answer 4

It doesn't matter. Under Jesus' 1000 year reign, there won't be many atheists. "Christianity is a threat because the Son of God that I don't believe in is going to eliminate an imperfect representative republic run by imperfect men and women and establish a monarchy run by an Almighty and perfect God (again which I don't believe in.)" Do you realize exactly how DUMB this sounds?

Answer 5

when they eliminate the electoral college and give more power to the local gov. you get a bunch of communities who all have different needs and economies and so what your looking at is a bunch of individual governments fighting for themselves

Answer 6

I like KM's answer. Contrary to popular belief the United States is a republic.

Answer 7

Parliamentary systems in European countries seem far more representative of their people than America's system, which mainly protects the estate class of landed gentry.

Answer 8

Elect Congressmen who are willing to stand up to our emperor President.