US: Democracy or Constitutional Republic?

[EerNearClemson]

Neither the Declaration of Independence or the US Constitution uses the word "democracy" at least from what I have read. Some people claim the US is a democracy. I would think local elections would be decided by the popular vote, or a democracy.

But, we know the US president is not. It's determined by the electoral college.

So, is the US a constitutional republic? Or is there more to it?

 

[atlkvb]

Representative Republic, with three co-equal branches who check and balance each other.

 

[biochemist90]

The term I have heard used most often over 53 years is Constitutional Republic.

Definitely not a democracy. Thank God.

 

[Gunny46]

The term I have heard used most often over 53 years is Constitutional Republic.

Definitely not a democracy. Thank God.

Thomas Jefferson wrote: “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one-percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.”

 

[atlkvb]

Thomas Jefferson wrote: “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one-percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.”

That's why we have a 2/3 rds majority required to override Presidential vetos, why we have an electoral College and why we require 3/4s (38 of 50) States to ratify any change or amendment to our Constitution.

We are NOT a Democracy in the sense of "majority rules". We respect and listen to the minority, and in order for any change to become law of the land we must listen to all represented voices. Don't tell Leftists that though, they see any dissent as subversive, and all opposition to their dictatorial rule must be eliminated.

 

[Soaring Eagle 74]

Neither the Declaration of Independence or the US Constitution uses the word "democracy" at least from what I have read. Some people claim the US is a democracy. I would think local elections would be decided by the popular vote, or a democracy.

But, we know the US president is not. It's determined by the electoral college.

So, is the US a constitutional republic? Or is there more to it?

I guess you could be a constitutional republic without being a democracy.

If a democracy implies majority rule, then we’re not a democracy, since Trump didn’t get a majority of the votes.

I’d say we’re a Constitutional Republic, because the Constitution defines our political system, but we’re not, strictly speaking, a democracy. We’re a representative democracy.

 

[Airport]

I guess you could be a constitutional republic without being a democracy.

If a democracy implies majority rule, then we’re not a democracy, since Trump didn’t get a majority of the votes.

I’d say we’re a Constitutional Republic, because the Constitution defines our political system, but we’re not, strictly speaking, a democracy. We’re a representative democracy.

Brilliant! Most intelligent people know that since we elect our representatives to Congress

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

I find it hilarious that people even discuss this.

 

[WVU82_rivals]

 

[D. Denzil Finney]

Thomas Jefferson wrote: “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one-percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.”

Isn't that the situation this country normally find itself in. House and Senate are both comprised by individual State balloters of all parties (Democrat, Republican, Independent or other).
For a law to pass doesn't it take an up and down vote by all parties concerned with the winner being determined by a simple majority? How close is that to a Democracy?

On the other hand The President/Vice-President are determined by the "Electoral College". without regard to the outcome of the popular vote. That is the Republic side of the coin. Regardless it is the system we have, and it is pretty darn good. Granted, it has some flaws, but no Country has shown to be our equal.

 

[Gunny46]

Isn't that the situation this country normally find itself in. House and Senate are both comprised by individual State balloters of all parties (Democrat, Republican, Independent or other).
For a law to pass doesn't it take an up and down vote by all parties concerned with the winner being determined by a simple majority? How close is that to a Democracy?

On the other hand The President/Vice-President are determined by the "Electoral College". without regard to the outcome of the popular vote. That is the Republic side of the coin. Regardless it is the system we have, and it is pretty darn good. Granted, it has some flaws, but no Country has shown to be our equal.

I'm more concerned that the "new" Democrat Party wants to burn the Constitution and replace it with the Communist Manifesto or Sharia Law. It's not too late for you to come to the light. [winking]

The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme law of the United States. Empowered with the sovereign authority of the people by the framers and the consent of the legislatures of the states, it is the source of all government powers, and also provides important limitations on the government that protect the fundamental rights of United States citizens.

 

[dave]

I find it hilarious that people even discuss this.

People discuss it because there are so many people out there who mistakenly think we live in a democracy.

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

People discuss it because there are so many people out there who mistakenly think we live in a democracy.

We live in both. Only thin-skinned, insecure pussies feel the need to hear the word “Republic” or “Democracy.”

de·moc·ra·cy
/dəˈmäkrəsē/
Learn to pronounce

noun

1. a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives

re·pub·lic
/rəˈpəblik/
Learn to pronounce

noun

1. a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

there are so many people out there who mistakenly think we live in a democracy.

LMAO! You never disappoint.

 

[dave]

We live in both. Only thin-skinned, insecure pussies feel the need to hear the word “Republic” or “Democracy.”

de·moc·ra·cy
/dəˈmäkrəsē/
Learn to pronounce

noun

1. a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives

re·pub·lic
/rəˈpəblik/
Learn to pronounce

noun

1. a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

The US is a constitutional republic. I am sorry if that bothers you.

 

[dave]

LMAO! You never disappoint.

I enjoy pointing out when you are wrong. It is a lot of work admittedly. You keep me busy.

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

The US is a constitutional republic. I am sorry if that bothers you.

Just like I said.

LMAO!

We live in both. Only thin-skinned, insecure pussies feel the need to hear the word “Republic” or “Democracy.”

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

I enjoy pointing out when you are wrong. It is a lot of work admittedly. You keep me busy.

LOL! Mr. “I am a civil engineer but I didn’t major in civil engineering.”

hahahahahahaha

 

[dave]

Just like I said.

LMAO!

Why do you do this to yourself? It is comical that you think people are questioning the use of the word democracy or republic. The key word is constitutional you dolt.

 

[nvEERs]

Depending on what state you live in you can actually be governed by both systems. A Constitutional Republic at the federal level and a combination of Constitutional Republic/democracy at the state level. These states that have props where they can put something on the ballot that 50% +1 can vote it into law is the ultimate for of democracy. We had that happen in Nevada in 2018 when they got Bloomberg's gun thing on the ballot the same year they got the marijuana legalization on the ballot. So all these dumb a$$ kids voted for it and 50.1% of the state basically destroyed out 2A rights.

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

Why do you do this to yourself? It is comical that you think people are questioning the use of the word democracy or republic. The key word is constitutional you dolt.

hahahahahahahahaha

A federal republic is a federation of stateswith a republican form of government.[1] At its core, the literal meaning of the word republic when used to reference a form of government means: "a country that is governed by elected representatives and by an elected leader (such as a president) rather than by a king or queen.

Like I said, you never disappoint. You are so f’ucking stupid, you don’t realize you’re stupid.

“I am a civil engineer.” “I didn’t major in civil engineering.”

LMAO!

 

[dave]

hahahahahahahahaha

A federal republic is a federation of stateswith a republican form of government.[1] At its core, the literal meaning of the word republic when used to reference a form of government means: "a country that is governed by elected representatives and by an elected leader (such as a president) rather than by a king or queen.

Like I said, you never disappoint. You are so f’ucking stupid, you don’t realize you’re stupid.

“I am a civil engineer.” “I didn’t major in civil engineering.”

LMAO!

Thanks for making my point for me. Glad to see you havent gotten over your obsession yet.

 

[nvEERs]

The word republic comes from the Latin term res publica, which literally means "public thing", "public matter", or "public affair" and was used to refer to the state as a whole.

or another term is the public law. A Constitutional Republic is a nation ruled by law that has placed Constitutional limits on the government.

 

[30CAT]

People discuss it because there are so many people out there who mistakenly think we live in a democracy.

Leftists want to destroy our Constitutional Republic, then take total power over The People.

 

[WVU82_rivals]

 

[spartansstink]

This is one time the Dem is right. We do live in both.

Our Constitution is based on several fundamental ideas, the main of which is the idea of consent of the governed. This fundamental principle is the tie that binds the rest together.

A democracy means rule by the people, which by proxy, means they must give consent before any rule is created or enforced.

A republic is nothing more than a representative government in which we elect those to do our rule making for us. In other words, a proxy becomes our voice and vote.

Both of these, along with the ideas of consent of the governed, rule of law, limited government, federalism, majority rule with minority rights protected, etc. are what has separated our constitution from those of other countries. Ours is 240 years old, the rest of the world averages around 10 or so.

 

[Gunny46]

This is one time the Dem is right. We do live in both.

Our Constitution is based on several fundamental ideas, the main of which is the idea of consent of the governed. This fundamental principle is the tie that binds the rest together.

A democracy means rule by the people, which by proxy, means they must give consent before any rule is created or enforced.

A republic is nothing more than a representative government in which we elect those to do our rule making for us. In other words, a proxy becomes our voice and vote.

Both of these, along with the ideas of consent of the governed, rule of law, limited government, federalism, majority rule with minority rights protected, etc. are what has separated our constitution from those of other countries. Ours is 240 years old, the rest of the world averages around 10 or so.

That idiot wants to dissolve the Constitution. They want direct democracy not a Democratic Constitutional Republic.

, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed ...


[winking]

 

[countryroads89_rivals]

That idiot wants to dissolve the Constitution. They want direct democracy not a Democratic Constitutional Republic.

, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed ...


[winking]

Obey orders of the President? WTF? That is not in the oath of office. You f’ucking fraud.



Oath of Office
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

 

[Gunny46]

Obey orders of the President? WTF? That is not in the oath of office. You f’ucking fraud.



Oath of Office
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

That's the military oath of enlistment I posted you friggin dumbass. You continue to make a fool of yourself.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/502

 

[atlkvb]

Leftists hate the Constitution because it tells them what Government can't do. It by definition limits Government power and that is anathema to your average Socialist power hungry Leftist.

They see Government without limits with power to do whatever it wants to whomever it pleases. Gen Michael Flynn is exhibit A.

 

[30CAT]

Leftists hate the Constitution because it tells them what Government can't do. It by definition limits Government power and that is anathema to your average Socialist power hungry Leftist.

They see Government without limits with power to do whatever it wants to whomever it pleases. Gen Michael Flynn is exhibit A.

Very well said and spot on, atlkvb!

 

[CAJUNEER_rivals]

Neither the Declaration of Independence or the US Constitution uses the word "democracy" at least from what I have read. Some people claim the US is a democracy. I would think local elections would be decided by the popular vote, or a democracy.

But, we know the US president is not. It's determined by the electoral college.

So, is the US a constitutional republic? Or is there more to it?

This is called a false dilemma. Republic and democracy are not mutually exclusive terms. The US is a democracy. What kind of democracy? A representative republic.

Both the Democrat and Republican parties come from the same party: the Democratic-Republican party. The Republicans broke away to form their own party.

 

[spartansstink]

Both the Democrat and Republican parties come from the same party: the Democratic-Republican party. The Republicans broke away to form their own party.

Not exactly.

The Democratic-Republicans were formed by Jefferson et. al to oppose the Federalist Party and their beliefs of a more industrialized society, a strong central bank, and a stronger federal government, which in their eyes weakened the powers of the states and particularly those in the more agricultural south.

They went on a tear, winning election after election (post 1800), all the way up through 1824 and the election of Andrew Jackson. Jackson will drop the Republican from the name and new political parties rose up to oppose Jacksonian control, like the Whigs, Free-Soilers, and Know-Nothings. They had limited success over the next 30 years as Democrat control was central.

This issue of slavery brought together all these different factions and they coalesced into what would become the Republican Party we know today in 1854. This party was originally more of a regional party (the midwest) in the beginning as they opposed the movement of slavery westward moreso than the abolition of slavery.

So, if you look at it literally, then yes the Democrats and Republicans both came from the same party. However, certainly not in their philosophies and beliefs.

 

[CAJUNEER_rivals]

Not exactly.

The Democratic-Republicans were formed by Jefferson et. al to oppose the Federalist Party and their beliefs of a more industrialized society, a strong central bank, and a stronger federal government, which in their eyes weakened the powers of the states and particularly those in the more agricultural south.

They went on a tear, winning election after election (post 1800), all the way up through 1824 and the election of Andrew Jackson. Jackson will drop the Republican from the name and new political parties rose up to oppose Jacksonian control, like the Whigs, Free-Soilers, and Know-Nothings. They had limited success over the next 30 years as Democrat control was central.

This issue of slavery brought together all these different factions and they coalesced into what would become the Republican Party we know today in 1854. This party was originally more of a regional party (the midwest) in the beginning as they opposed the movement of slavery westward moreso than the abolition of slavery.

So, if you look at it literally, then yes the Democrats and Republicans both came from the same party. However, certainly not in their philosophies and beliefs.

Yes. This is a more complete, and therefore more accurate, history. In fact, the idea for the Republican Party came from the Whig party. The abolitionists pulled out of the D-R party to join the former Whigs.

 

[DvlDog4WVU]

Yes. This is a more complete, and therefore more accurate, history. In fact, the idea for the Republican Party came from the Whig party. The abolitionists pulled out of the D-R party to join the former Whigs.

My favorite was The Bull Moose Party, strictly on name alone, not so much the politics. Teddy was one of my favorite Republicans though.

 

[spartansstink]

One of my favorite TR stories is the one where he gets shot by an anarchist right before giving a speech.

TR had written a speech that was about 40 pages long, which he folded up and put in his breast pocket along with his eyeglass case. The bullet tore through the case and speech and barely lodged in his chest. He then proceeded to give the speech over the next hour and a half, proudly displaying the bloody speech and letting the blood drip down while he raged on for the Bull Moose party he created.

How cool was that?

 

[DvlDog4WVU]

One of my favorite TR stories is the one where he gets shot by an anarchist right before giving a speech.

TR had written a speech that was about 40 pages long, which he folded up and put in his breast pocket along with his eyeglass case. The bullet tore through the case and speech and barely lodged in his chest. He then proceeded to give the speech over the next hour and a half, proudly displaying the bloody speech and letting the blood drip down while he raged on for the Bull Moose party he created.

How cool was that?

Never heard that one. Love it.

 

[D. Denzil Finney]

The US is a constitutional republic. I am sorry if that bothers you.

You would be better served if you knew what your subject matter. "I pledge allegiance to the Flag and to the Republic for which it stands." You have recited that pledge since you were in the first grade of school. If you don't know that the United States is a Republic it makes one wonder what else you don't know.

 

[dave]

You would be better served if you knew what your subject matter. "I pledge allegiance to the Flag and to the Republic for which it stands." You have recited that pledge since you were in the first grade of school. If you don't know that the United States is a Republic it makes one wonder what else you don't know.

I am not sure why you made this reply to me. I havd said all along we are a republic.

 

[Gunny46]

I am not sure why you made this reply to me. I havd said all along we are a republic.

It's the constitutional part they want to drop.