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To be fair, there really isn't a Constitution. America, like it or not, is a Democracy. To the extent that the Constitution exists, it is mostly a recommendation, not a limitation. It is "reinterpreted" constantly, and almost none of the Constitution means today what it meant 220+ years ago.
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Originally Posted by jacqueg
You only have to look at the different outcomes of the French and American Revolutions to see why.
Well, this is an unfair comparison. The beauty of the American Revolution, was that it was about natural rights, freedom, and a distrust of government.
The French Revolution was to a large extent about equality/egalitarianism. Basically, the French Revolution was socialist. Which is exactly why it was so garbage.
The only thing which ever made America not garbage, was our citizens distrust of government. The beauty of the Constitution, was it attempted to codify for all-time, and embed in our culture, governmental restraint. Basically, the second amendment isn't still in effect because of the Constitution. It is still in effect because the people.
Sadly, the people here are going downhill, and thus so is our government.
I would only tolerate true democracy if it was actually based on a "consent of the governed".
That would require a major rewrite of the Constitution of every state and fed.
Not going to happen.
Actually it wouldn't. Congress could pass a federal referendums act. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say how or how no Congress should proceed with voting on laws. Most states have referendums anyway.
Then you spit on what we have. A republic is a form of democracy.
Baloney. This isn't a democracy, nor a republic, in any sense of those words. This is a "Plutocracy", where the illusion of choice exists to keep the masses bickering among themselves, while the plutocrats continue unchallenged.
We have the republicans giving lip service to one segment, while the democrats pander to another ... we have politicians of every stripe, making promises that are never fulfilled, yet the masses behind each continue to align themselves with the most convincing liar presented to them.
They ... the plutocrats don't care who you support. Because evey single one of them are there for no other purpose than continue the illusion of choice. So long as you keep choosing a side, the illusion of choice remains alive.
It's like having a crap sandwich as the only menu item. You're free to choose white, wheat or rye, but it's still a crap sandwich, regardless.
Anyone who votes yes in this silly poll are as misguided as the op.
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Originally Posted by GuyNTexas
Baloney. This isn't a democracy, nor a republic, in any sense of those words. This is a "Plutocracy", where the illusion of choice exists to keep the masses bickering among themselves, while the plutocrats continue unchallenged.
I'd say it's more of an oligarchy, as both parties cater the collective political class as a whole. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your politician" should be the mantra today.
Just imagine how bad it would truly be if we had started out as a pure democracy.
I'd rather have the illusion of hope still alive than no hope at all.
Absolutely NOT! I have worked for years with many different organizations that, with 400+ members at meetings trying to "legislate" their governing rules, have screwed things up so bad it is unreal. 99% of what they try to do ends up just being a huge argument because they can never come to consensus, let alone a correct end result. There is no way a pure democracy will work. Our Democratic Republic, if our representatives were in office for the purposes of "the best interests of America" which is layed out by our Constitution is the best the world has ever seen. It is unfortunate that so many of "we, the people," haven't taken the time to study what our government should and should not do before casting our vote and end up electing incompetent legislators or self-serving un-American legislators, city, county, state and federal all included.
Even as sorry as some of our citizens vote, our Constitution is the finest document laying out the path for government the world has ever seen. We just need to follow that document WITHOUT ALL THE DAM*ED LAWYER/ATTORNEY "INTERPRETATIONS." There is no "interpretation." Our Constitution is written in plain English and simple language. Perhaps our next Amendment should address "no lawyers/attorneys may be elected to government bodies." Or perhaps better, all the above in quotes and add ...without taking and passing a test on understanding the English language and receive a grade of "A" and will not be allowed to interpret anything." VBG I'm obviously being a bit facetious here, but do I get my point across?
No. As Winston Churchill once said, "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
No country on Earth has full direct democracy, not even Switzerland. One of the key necessities for direct democracy is an informed and educated populace, but judging from the crap I see on this site, cable news channels, talk radio and call-in shows, and internet comment sections, I think direct democracy would be a terrible idea.
That would require a major rewrite of the Constitution of every state and fed.
Not going to happen.
We no longer live in a constitutional republic either
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