DIRTLINErepublic
Dare Inquire Representatives Truth
Is U.S. a Republic or a (representative)(indirect) Democracy?
In 1788 a group of real statesmen of great physical vigor, mental acumen, through knowledge, practical wisdom, far-sighted vision and moral courage assembled in Philadelphia and after months of discussion and deliberation produced the Constitution which provided for the republic of the United States."
This simple statement from Harry F. Atwood's 1918 book
BACK TO THE REPUBLIC THE GOLDEN MEAN: THE STANDARD FORM OF GOVERNMENT,
should have settled the question of whether the United States is a Republic or a Democracy for students, scholars, history buffs, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, AND LAWYERS AND ATTORNEYS.
It hasn't.
An April 7, 2000 Daily Courier Editorial concerning the low voter turn-out for the Pennsylvania Primary Elections in the Fay-West area, goes so far as to claim that the Founding fathers devised a democracy.
"But competition on the ballot brings a healthy discussion of the issues to the table.
This is what is needed to ensure that democracy as designed by our forefathers is carried out."
On the Fred Honsberger Program, April 2, 2000, guest Matt Glavin, president Southwestern Legal Foundation, had the following exchange with Delinda, founder Dare Inquire Representatives Truth.
HONZMAN: Delinda, you're on Honsberger Live. Good Morning.
DELINDA: Good morning. I am appreciating all of the wonderful information you're giving us. You certainly seem to be setting us straight about the Census (2000) and what it should be used for. But I would like to correct you on one thing, and I hope, I'm sure, you'll understand why. You did refer to us as a republic, and you're absolutely right. We, the United States, are a republic. And that means that we are a representative government. However, we are not a representative democracy. A democracy is of the people. The people rule. We, the United States being a republic, have the rule of law, and there's a very grave difference there. I think by the information that you are giving, you are certainly impressing upon the people that we are a nation of rule of law. So I just wanted to set you straight on that, and hope you'll take it in the good faith that I've given it.
MATT GLAVIN: Belinda, this is a debate that comes up regularly. But if you look in any history book in the world, republic means representative democracy. I understand that it is a government of the people. The Constitution grants power to the people. But then the people elect representatives to represent them in the making of the laws. So indeed we are a representative democracy. In a representative democracy, we the people can get rid of our representatives once every two years, or once every six years, depending on whether they're in the House or the Senate.
HONZMAN: We'll have to debate that another time... Judy...
On March 19, 2000, Patrick J. Buchanan, who seeks to be the nominee of the Reform Party for the office of President, stated during a press conference broadcast on C-Span:
"We're rule by the majority."
"We're a democracy."
On This Week with whomever April 2, 2000, George Will queried:
Is it good for our democracy to send the boy (Elian Gonzales) back to Cuba?
During the Andrea Mitchell Report on April 13, 2000, Congressman Leahy, referring to the Elian Gonzales situation and referring to what the father has allegedly said: You say you're a country of laws, a democracy. Why can't you enforce the laws?
Mr. Buchanan should know better after having written a book which has the word "Republic" in the title.
A REPUBLIC, NOT AN EMPIRE
Mr. Will should know better.
Mr. Glavin errs also in the respect that the Constitution grants to the people power.
Look in any American History textbook, and you will find documentation that it is the people, who actually inherently have the power, but consent, through a written compact called the United States Constitution, to grant certain powers to the federal government, with all other powers retained by the states, or by the people.
"The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed and that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of press."
Thomas Jefferson
One has to question why these misstatements are continually made by those who seek the highest office in the land as well as those in Congress who all take an oath to support and defend the what?
THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Atwood says it very clearly, very understandably, very simply, in his book.
The new form of government provided for by the Constitution and evolved in 1788 was the first republic the world has ever known, and it may be clearly defined as follows:
A republic is a form of government under a constitution which provides for the election of
- an executive
- a legislative body
WHO working together in a representative capacity, have all power of appointment, all power of legislation, all power to raise revenues and appropriate expendures and are required to create
- a judiciary to pass upon the justice and legality of their governmental acts and to recognize
- certain inherent individual rights.
Mr. Atwood continues:
Take away any one or more of those FOUR elements and you are drifting into autocracy. Add one or more to those four elements and you are drifting into democracy.
In an autocracy authority is derived through heredity, regardless of character, capacity or conduct. Rulers are chosen by virtue of their membership in the royal family; the people have no choice in their selection.
In a democracy authority is derived through mass-meeting, the initiave, the referendum, instructed delegates, or any other form of direct popular expression.
In a republic authority is derived through the election by the people of public officials to represent them.
The provision of the U.S. Constitution that the United States is a Republic needs to be understood by all citizens in order to preserve the founding principles which enable the United States of America to actually be the only existing true Republic in the world.
We are not a democracy. The rule of the majority is not the rule of law.
That fact is what separates our form of government from many others around the world.
Is the Constitution Suspended?
THE NEW AMERICAN February 5, 1996 Thomas A. Burzynski
A republic
says DIRT founder and others
Is the Constitution In Peril?
Constitution In Peril An Essay
Is the Constitution Abused?
Constitution Abused More Sites
Constitution questions?
Constitution Book On-Line More Sites
Constitution questions?
Constitution Documents Annotated
Constitution questions?
EU Wins WTO Panel Against US
Anti-Dumping Act of 1916 CONSTITUTION MEANINGLESS
Is U.S. a Republic or a Democracy?
Viewpoints
A REPUBLIC ACCORDING TO Robert Welch's speech at the Constitution Day luncheon of We, The People in Chicago, on September 17, 1961
ROBERT WELCH, founder John Birch Society
DEFINITIONS BY GROLIER
Grolier
COMPTONS ENCYCLOPEDIA
Comptons
ASK U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Congressman John Murtha: represents part of Fayette County, PA
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