Bravo.









Or do I find myself reflexively agreeing with everything you write, JWBear, simply because Mr. Avatar is staring at me so intensely and persuasively??

Whatever works! ;)

And... Here's something else. President Bush seems to think that we are a democracy...

Yep...It's official. The US Government considers itself to be a democratic republic.

Yikes. (Scaeagles reattaches his head) How about we don't live in a direct democracy.

My point was that electing a representative does not ensure that the representative will agree with us. This was in response to alphabassettgirl saying her representative is going to vote however they please (though I doubt it was worded in that fashion).

I happen to like the referendum process because it puts issues back into the hands of the people by direct vote. My representative, once elected, has no obligation whatsoever to vote in any particular way. That person will face election again in two years.

Yikes.

....and to the "democracy" for which it stands...

or is it?

...and to the "republic" for which it stands...

Sometimes I forget;)

Sorry to go off. It's a sensitive issue for me.

You are correct in that we are not a direct democracy - something the Founding Fathers did not want, for very good reasons.

Yes, the pledge says "republic". This in no way negates the fact that we are also a democracy. Why does it have to be either-or? It is, in fact, both.

I was discussing this subject with Bill earlier, and he made a very good analogy. "Republic" is the form of our government, "democracy" is the method.

I would agree with that...........

Going back to what you said earlier about it being a fairly recent(the America is not a democracy soundbite) thing. That's because right after the 2000 election all we heard was "Gore won the popular vote...why isn't he President". There was even a movement to get rid of the Electoral College((which, btw, was when Bill Richardson gained my attention and respect...he was one of the few dems to lead the fight against it)).

But yes, we are a Democratic Republic...thank heavens; because if we were ever a true democracy we would quickly fall into mob rule followed shortly by anarchy(make Chris happy) and finally a dictatorship.

My problem is with those who say we are only a republic. (Yes, they are out there. Believe me, I know.)

That's cool.

Well, on a national level we don't vote for anything(not even the President) directly....so I suppose they may have an argument(although I am not taking it up here....just saying I can see what they mean) in that regard.