bigharpoon:I would say that even though we are creating ever more socialized systems that are government run we are still definitively a Republic. We have a small group of elected leaders that contain the power to govern the masses (hopefully in our best interests). We have the power to elect replacements for these representatives or even impeach them before the next elections if they deserve, but still we return to the masses being governed by a small group of powerful officials...a Republic.
kuzi16: bigharpoon:I would say that even though we are creating ever more socialized systems that are government run we are still definitively a Republic. We have a small group of elected leaders that contain the power to govern the masses (hopefully in our best interests). We have the power to elect replacements for these representatives or even impeach them before the next elections if they deserve, but still we return to the masses being governed by a small group of powerful officials...a Republic.a republic is a state that is ruled by law... however, the government does not follow the law. Politicians are always looking for ways around the Constitution or other ways to be Above the law. that is hardly a republic.
Krieg:If you asked this question, I bet 99.9% of people would whole heartily tell you YES! But just ask yourself one question, where does the word "Democracy" appear in our Constitution? To save you some time, I will go ahead and tell you. It Doesn't. I guess the question today should be is what is America TODAY? Are we a Republic like for forefathers envisioned? Or are we moving towards something else? People would probably say right now we are moving towards the Left, Socialism , Communism. People on the Left have at times, said we are moving too far right towards FASCISM. But in actuality, Socailism, Fascism, Communisim, Stateism, Nazism, Dictatorships are all factions of the Left. Instead of thinking of Socialism & Communism (LEFT) vs FASCISM & Stateism (Right) you have to think of it this way: on the Left - you have Total control of everything by the Government. On the Right- There is no Government control over anyting- in other words ANARCHY. Our forefathers designed our Constitution to fall around right of the Center. Which should limit Government to protecting the Rights of People. So what is America today? Democracy- ruled by Majority, Oligarchy- Ruled by a group (which is most common these days), or Republic- Ruled by law.
kuzi16:“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. ” — Thomas Jefferson
phobicsquirrel: Krieg:If you asked this question, I bet 99.9% of people would whole heartily tell you YES! But just ask yourself one question, where does the word "Democracy" appear in our Constitution? To save you some time, I will go ahead and tell you. It Doesn't. I guess the question today should be is what is America TODAY? Are we a Republic like for forefathers envisioned? Or are we moving towards something else? People would probably say right now we are moving towards the Left, Socialism , Communism. People on the Left have at times, said we are moving too far right towards FASCISM. But in actuality, Socailism, Fascism, Communisim, Stateism, Nazism, Dictatorships are all factions of the Left. Instead of thinking of Socialism & Communism (LEFT) vs FASCISM & Stateism (Right) you have to think of it this way: on the Left - you have Total control of everything by the Government. On the Right- There is no Government control over anyting- in other words ANARCHY. Our forefathers designed our Constitution to fall around right of the Center. Which should limit Government to protecting the Rights of People. So what is America today? Democracy- ruled by Majority, Oligarchy- Ruled by a group (which is most common these days), or Republic- Ruled by law. very well stated and a good question. I remember seeing a film on this very thing, for the life of me can't remember what it was, but it was a very good film. I would say that we have become a corporate form of democracy perhaps even a laissi faire capitalist state more than a democratic republic. One could even say Oligarchy. The people don't really elect their reps anymore, I mean if you really dig into it. the money is the objective and very few people actually are in the game for the real change that will positively effect their country. Taking the money out of the polictical system and moving more towards the republic we were founded on then I would believe the people would really elect their reps. Greed has overthrown this country and it did the same thing to ROME which is one of the closest examples of where our country has gone. By no means was the country fantastic when it was founded, I mean slaves, women were below men but over the years it seemed as though there was a real surge in development, then a crash. People have always managed to rise above others but it was more on true courage and determination and luck (sticking gold or oil) but the line was pretty much straight. After WWII was this really present, but it soon went away. When laws are created or even cut to favor one group (like now with large corporations) then the commons are fighting a losing battle. The rule of law has been very corrupted in this country and almost to the point that law only contains to the commons or the poor. How many rich well placed people have had the hand of the law on them? Well in recent history not many. I mean the heads of the last administration, the federal reserve, military contractors, heads of the insurance companies... In a real country of laws, if you break the law then you pay the price which should be done without any favor. This is far from what we have become.
phobicsquirrel: Going back to the civial war, which side would you stand on? I ask this of everyone. I mean which side better depicts who you are?
All I know is that the founding fathers would tar and feather most of our current gov't officials. The things that the gov't gets involved in, and you and I are taxed for, have gone way beyond reason.
Our local officals were in the paper the other day bragging about the larger rooms, work out facilities and web access...........for our prisoners.
Theedge:All I know is that the founding fathers would tar and feather most of our current gov't officials. The things that the gov't gets involved in, and you and I are taxed for, have gone way beyond reason. Our local officals were in the paper the other day bragging about the larger rooms, work out facilities and web access...........for our prisoners.