What does this mean to you in politics today?

Question

"All, too, will 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 law must protect, and to violate would be oppression."

Answer 1

This reference is to "Tyranny of the Majority". No matter how small your group is, it is entitled to protection under the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and all the Amendments. The Constitution exists to define and protect the rights of ALL Americans, not just the majority of Americans.

Answer 2

I hear on the radio that the senate needs 60 votes for this or 66 votes for that,

I don't know all the rules I watch about 5-10 hours of the news and listen about an hour on the radio and thats about all I can take,

but I do see that there are some things that the legislature isn't able to do in 2007 because of this idea from several centuries ago that protects the minority by requireing super majority to do certain things.

I think a lot of it is parlimentary procedures which isn't neccessarily a sacred principle, but the people in Washington aren't running over the minority party with 51-49 votes on major issues,

I don't know how accurrate everything I just typed is or how we would define major issue,

but I do see there being a lot of discussion surronding can't closeing debates without 60 votes and that means 41 people, a minority, can stop something.

Answer 3

Well, the quote is from Jefferson's first inaugural address and I believe Jefferson was talking about different political views or parties as being minority and majority. He was holding out an olive branch to the Federalists who were his bitter opponents.

The meaning for today is that the majority party should not ride roughshod over the minority. The Republicans certainly violated this rule for the first 6 years of Bush's presidency. Even following the 06 election, the Democrats in Congress have too narrow of a majority and they are not united enough (due mostly to the Blue Dog caucus) to abuse the rights of the Republicans. So I wouldn't worry if I were you. The Democrats can't pass any significant legislation without significant compromise, and the Bush administration can still shove bills down their throats as we saw recently with the wiretapping bill.

Answer 4

This is basically how American politics are supposed to work. Majority rules, unless they try to take over minority (not necessarily race) rights. This way, everybody will be able to lead better lives.

Answer 5

They are speaking of elections.

If the will of the people were intended to control all decisions, our forefathers would have given us the right to vote daily.

They did not simply because the people cannot be enlightened to all the factors that go into making every decision.

Answer 6

It use to be but who is the majority, what majority. Our own government made up of businessmen lawyers that keep us on the edge, scared to take a stand, force us to do their will even when they knowing full well doing the opposite would enhance all our live, allow the credit industry to rape us, the oil & gas industry to take our dignity and for employers to underpay us. So what majority are you speaking of?

Answer 7

Expose living human kind were at loss and stranded on planet earth.
With some still look green.
With lost sense of direction and purpose of life.
With living human kind living in misery out there.
Luke 19.9-10

Answer 8

Obsolete. Sad to say

Answer 9

I think the context of the phrase is meant to apply to physical characteristics, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation and religious belief rather than political views.

Answer 10

it is a shame that the majority are idiots.