Occationally someone proudly reminds us "we are a republic", but that's old and tired, and isn't it becoming?

Question

Isn't it becoming a tired old hypocracy instead of a modern democracy?

No one ever asks "Should we be a republic?"

Because the people (and candidates for office) who proudly remind us "we are a republic" are the very same people who say that government is so bad. The politicians will never be accountable anyway. And things like that.

This is not 1708 folks. It is 2008.
Do we really need to be a republic to have a democracy that is "the people governing themselves"?

We have such different technology now, are we even really governing ourselves anymore?

It seems like we have Government-by-mark eting-strategy rather than "Government by the people" now.

Is a republic still the best form of democracy we'll settle for?

A republic that is only, (self-admittingly), only good for Big-business and War?

Has America created a republic which really now represents three branches.

Only not the ones we think? Instead of democratizing the will of the people
into self-government? The military branch? The Capital-Market branch? And the Executive Culture-Branch?

You like them apples?

America IS a third world democracy, that how I like the third-world bucket of apples. If you don't believe me, you don't have to change anything, you don't have to leave your home country either. Just stay alive ten or fifteen years. You won't even need to pack any bags to see the third world. Just stay put. The third world will come to you.

Be patient. You will see.
Meanwhile you can perhaps forgive me, if I continue asking a few people about such things. I happen to also be getting several
fairly intelligent
answers to things consistently these days.

"A republic and" is really excellent in expressing some points. I particularly like

"A major flaw of all republics is that they can only work effectively until they become so large,then they begin to choke and fester..."

Amen to that.

Ah the cultureidol, and militarized, capital-Marketocracy..( !(?))
God save the marketocracy.
:)

wow, this is all getting alittle fun
for now

Well, I agree that "It's a republic" is a meaningless phrase to describe what we have.

It is what it is. I like that.

But I would say that "democratic republic" is becoming meaningless in our modern age too. We can market to voters far more efficiently than voters can democratize their ability to govern themselves these days.

Hell we even have ways to make it difficult for modern people to think.

Well, if democracy is so important, I find it sad that 99% of us think we can all have ipods, but never any more democracy than we have now.

We have a the most perfect system,

and

choose people to make decisions and provide direction that we have less and less confidence in?

Is that it?

Forgive me if I reiterate that something ain't quite right. It may be possible that we are now too proud of our American system, and not proud enough of our American demcracy potential.

Instead of making Iraq more democratic, why don't we make America more democratic?

Answer 1

If you don't like living in a republic then move or change it.
Since it isn't going to change I hope you find a wonderful third world democracy to live in.
How's THEM apples?

Answer 2

A republic and a democracy are two completely differnt political states, the US is and has been for most of its existance a Republic,not a true democracy. A major flaw of all republics is that they can only work effectively until they become so large,then they begin to choke and fester,with the majority of "little people" having little or no say in goverment and a minority of the rich and powerful actually making all the decisions. One of the worst Republic ideas is the electorial colledge that actually elects all politicians ,large populous ,wealthy states ,like california for instance can nullify 10 other states in most national elections,effectively depriving those states of actual representation or input in the nations course..on the state level ,here in michigan all decisions are made down state,detroit actually, the Upper peninsula and its residents are helpless and must live with whatever the group down there decides Is best for us up here.

Answer 3

The people who point that out generally don't have a good understanding of our governmental system.

"It's a republic" is a meaningless phrase. It is what it is, and things work as outlined in the Constitution. Our government is unique and was modeled after democracy in ancient Greece, but was changed to suit what the founders thought this country would need. It is neither a pure democracy NOR a pure republic. It is referred to as a "democratic republic" because it is a hybrid of the two forms of government.

People like to remind us that it isn't intended to be a pure democracy, but what they don't understand is that it was never intended to be a pure republic either.

If a republic is what they want, they ought to move to China. They've got a republic.

Answer 4

There hasn't been a non-Republic democracy since about 450 BC.. and even then the largest had only about 30,000 potential voters, of which only a fraction actually voted.

A Repulic is the only viable form of democracy for modern countries with hundreds of millions of people.

Answer 5

I think, like most American citizens, are pleased with the US being a Republic. Most people are happy with they way government is set up. They may not be happy with thier representative, but they do support the system.

Answer 6

I believe that it would be impossible to govern a democracy the size of the USA.