Big Orange Jeff (125 posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed May-18-11 05:28 PM
Original message
Has anyone else noticed that right-wingers have stopped referring to the US as a democracy?
They are stressing the fact that our government is a "representative republic". I'm sure it has something to do with the names of the two major parties, and so they can say that the Republican Party is the one to which the founding fathers would belong.
I just find it fascinating that they're so caught up in words instead of real problems.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1129163Just who is caught up in a word? You brought it up DUmmy.
The simple fact is, we are not, and never have been a democracy, we are a democratic republic.
Which means that the govt has limited powers no matter what the majority may or may not want.
Mz Pip Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed May-18-11 05:34 PM
Response to Original message
1. That's really not new
I think it makes them feel smart to throw that around. Whatever. It doesn't change anything.
Actually it makes it so all of the "progressive" causes you support can not technically be implemented because of that darn old Constitution. Sadly for too long our so called leaders have shelved the Constitution and did what they wanted. To those of us who believe in the Constitution it means a lot that we are a republic and not a democracy.
Frances (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed May-18-11 05:35 PM
Response to Original message
2. I think the reason they use representative republic
is that they don't believe in "one man, one vote." They believe in voter IDs, literacy tests, etc. I actually had to take a literacy test when I registered to vote in Alabama; I passed only because I was white. A friends' mother said that in Tennessee, the testers put a W at the top of tests taken by whites. In my case, my paper was marked while I was present. I'm ashamed to say I couldn't answer most of the questions; I doubt many people, white or black, could have done so.
Funny thing is when we try to ensure "one man one vote" IE: voter IDs, you goons throw a fit.
LiberalAndProud Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed May-18-11 05:41 PM
Response to Original message
5. Recycled Limbaugh.
It's literally been years since I listened, but there he is right in the middle of all the talking points. I heard it on the radio. It must be true.
Never mind that it is true, it must be false because Rush said it.
polichick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed May-18-11 05:44 PM
Response to Original message
6. They know they're running a con job - words are their tools of manipulation.
Yeah trying to make our govt run like spelled out in the Constitution is a con job.
RKP5637 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Donate to DU! Wed May-18-11 05:48 PM
Response to Original message
10. This country has and is facing so many problems and this is the best the
republicans can do ... they are a disease.
Yet Harry Reid is worried about cowboy poetry.
ladjf (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Wed May-18-11 06:09 PM
Response to Original message
12. Their preoccupation with "words" is because they are intensely
interested in manipulating society largely by the use of language. And, it's working.
Democrats are the master of that. They actually had the nerve to call Obamacare The Affordable Health Care Act. Orwell would be proud.