Do people have the right to govern themselves via democracy?

Question

What I am getting at is this: If you feel that certain Americans are supporting what you call communist or socialist policies, if those people are in the majority and democratically elect leaders with similar views will you continue to sing the praises of democracy?

Or will you take a view more like Henry Kissinger when he said this: "I don't see why we need to stand by and watch a country go communist due to the irresponsibility of its own people. The issues are much too important for ....voters to be left to decide for themselves." What action would you advocate?

Looking for mature answers from either side of the fence.

Answer 1

Obviously. Henry Kissinger forgot the wise words of Thomas Jefferson:

"I have ever deemed it fundamental for the United States never to take active part in the quarrels of Europe. Their political interests are entirely distinct from ours. Their mutual jealousies, their balance of power, their complicated alliances, their forms and principles of government, are all foreign to us. They are nations of eternal war. All their energies are expended in the destruction of the labor, property and lives of their people." --Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 1823. ME: 15:436

"We wish not to meddle with the internal affairs of any country, nor with the general affairs of Europe. Peace with all nations, and the right which that gives us with respect to all nations, are our object." --Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 1793. ME 9:56

We have become the 'Europe' Jefferson talked about in 1823.

Answer 2

We could vote ourselves into communism, and it would still be democracy that we practiced to get their. Same thing with fascism, or a dictatorship, or even a monarchy. The house could pass a bill saying the next president is God Emperor of the US for life, the president could sign it, and that would be that.

The nice thing about democracy is that we CAN dissent with the majority and work to change current policy to implement policies we feel might be better. If someone wants to vote communist / socialist policy makers into office, I'll still sing the praises of democracy, because what better system is left? At least under democracy, I can work to get us away from communism / socialism (assuming it isn't too late).

Answer 3

I govern myself via snail mail. One thing that I know is that the USA will not become a communist country. There is a huge deficit between the well off and the fu*ked over people. For this deficit to be deminished, the well off people would have to do more for other people--while they think that they are already doing too much. Pretty sad (and pessimistic on my part). I could see the country turning more socialist, but not more communist...even if we do elect Hillary. I'm not an extreme right or left political person, but, please, no Hillary.

Answer 4

Just electing socialists/communists to office will not take the country down. Those elected officials must subvert the Constitution and get the courts to go along with them. That's why it's taken over 70 years and there's still so much Resistance.

While the U.S. has been sliding almost imperceptibly toward socialism since the early 1930's the true socialists still must mask their intentions from most Americans or be rejected out-of-hand.

As long as government controls education and maintains programs that make middle-class apologists feel good about themselves, socialism will continue to appeal to many. In order for that illusion to succeed, those believers will call themselves "progressives" or "social liberals" and continue to push for the redistribution of wealth and the creation of new programs to foster dependency on government for as many as possible.

Google "creeping incrementalism" for more. Or just read George Orwell's "Animal Farm" and compare the last 20 years to the rules on the end of the barn!

Answer 5

What you suggest is a hypothetical that I don't believe will ever happen. The majority of Americans, I continue to believe, recognize the inherent folly and weaknesses of socialism as it's being proposed by the left. If they don't, they may vote for it briefly after being sold by the glossy marketing hype, but after they get smacked across the face with reality will vote to restore a more sensible approach to managing our country.

For example, if America bought the utopian socialized medical system being sold by the left, taxes would increase over night to a staggering amount to pay for the program. That alone will shock Americans into a near revolt. We've grown accustomed to our low taxes and when we're suddenly hit with tax rates of 50 to 60%, which is a reality, not a hypothetical as has been seen all across the world, the party that imposes those taxes and then provides only substandard care won't last through the next election.

But this is socialism. Communism is something very different. That would never happen in America, but even if it did, I would support America and our democracy. I would also work to ensure that America was again restored to the culture that made her the most powerful nation on Earth; one of free market capitalism where opportunity was available for all and even our poor are provided for.

Answer 6

Communist and socialist policies are opposed to each other. Hitler considered himself a socialist and he hated communism. What you really should be getting at is: "Americans are supporting christian fascist policies, and if those people are in the majority and elect leaders with similar views will you continue to sing the praises of democracy?" I'd say, the right and civic duty of the American people to elect representatives does not include the right for those representatives to destroy the very privileges that got them elected in the first place.

Answer 7

The very premise of democracy is government by the people for the people. With that being said this does empower the people to select their form of government. If the majority votes socialist, communist, or for a fascist, they do this willingly. Voting is a fundamental freedom that we all have, and regardless of who we choose to lead us, the ability to choose will always be paramount.

Answer 8

If that is your political system then to stay true to it you have to honor the will of the people. Other wise do you really live in a democracy. Who is the "decider" when your political system is derailing. In our case we are supposed to have the protection of the Constitution. When you are allowing laws or just actions that water this down you are allowing that door to open. Ultimately it is far more likely the politicians will bastardize our democracy than the other way around.

Answer 9

Yes, what other kind of government is even close to fair? I think the lack of representation in the current government illustrates that well. I actually think a centralized government via internet might strangely work well. Some of the answers I've seen on here are extremely well researched. Some however are not.

Answer 10

They can only have that right if they fight to have it. Otherwise they succumb to oppression and fear, like the Republicans and their terror paranoia.