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I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy

 
Olieco
User ID: 1625199
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10/18/2011 07:49 AM
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I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
Am I missing something? I heard Obama making statements about supporting democracy. I thought the US was a Republic? There is a difference? I copied the definitions from dictionary.com and it states that the US is a Democracy even in the definition. What's up?

re·pub·lic

   [ri-puhb-lik] Show IPA
noun
1.
a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.
2.
any body of persons viewed as a commonwealth.
3.
a state in which the head of government is not a monarch or other hereditary head of state.
4.
( initial capital letter ) any of the five periods of republican government in France. Compare First Republic, Second Republic, Third Republic, Fourth Republic, Fifth Republic.
5.
( initial capital letter, italics ) a philosophical dialogue (4th century b.c.) by Plato dealing with the composition and structure of the ideal state.

de·moc·ra·cy

   [dih-mok-ruh-see] Show IPA
noun, plural -cies.
1.
government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
2.
a state having such a form of government: The United States and Canada are democracies.
3.
a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.
4.
political or social equality; democratic spirit.
5.
the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power.

Wikipedia says a Republic is this:

A republic is a country with a specific form of government, in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are not granted primarily based upon family, military, or business connections.[1][2] In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a country where the head of state is not a monarch.[3][4] The word republic is derived from the Latin phrase res publica, which can be translated as "a public affair", and often used to describe a state using this form of government.

Both modern and ancient republics vary widely in their ideology and composition. In classical and medieval times the archetype of all republics was the Roman Republic, which referred to Rome in between the period when it had kings, and the periods when it had emperors. The Italian medieval and Renaissance political tradition today referred to as "civic humanism" is sometimes considered to derive directly from Roman republicans such as Sallust and Tacitus. However, Greek-influenced Roman authors, such as Polybius and Cicero, sometimes also used the term as a translation for the Greek politeia which could mean regime generally, but could also be applied to certain specific types of regime which did not exactly correspond to that of the Roman Republic. An example of this is Sparta, which had two kings but was not considered a normal monarchy as it also had ephors representing the common people. Republics were not equated with classical democracies such as Athens, but had a democratic aspect to them.[5]

In modern republics such as the United States and India, the executive is legitimized both by a constitution and by popular suffrage. Montesquieu included both democracies, where all the people have a share in rule, and aristocracies or oligarchies, where only some of the people rule, as republican forms of government.[6]

Most often a republic is a sovereign country, but there are also subnational entities that are referred to as republics, or which have governments that are described as "republican" in nature. For instance, Article IV of the Constitution of the United States "guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government".[7] The Soviet Union was a single state composed of distinct and nominally sovereign Soviet Socialist Republics.

Which is it?
BubbleHead

User ID: 1156994
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10/18/2011 07:55 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
republic
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 2181083
United States
10/18/2011 07:59 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
republic.

The trick was teaching students in the public education system to think they lived in a democracy.It is and always has been.We live in a Republic based on the rule of law,not the votes of the masses...at least that is the way it was designed.
Olieco (OP)
User ID: 1625199
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10/18/2011 07:59 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
So why the democracy thing?
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 2181083
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10/18/2011 08:19 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
So why the democracy thing?
 Quoting: Olieco 1625199


To make socialism easier.They started calling the USA a democracy shortly after the creation of the federal reserve.Part of trying to end the republic and form a socialist country.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 168282
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10/18/2011 08:31 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
Actually the proper definition of the US is a Constitutional Republic
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 08:31 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
The US is a Democracy. Where the shareholders are electors and have a say in what happens, it is also limited to 10 square miles in Washington District of Columbia. The shareholders have peons called US Citizens, who cannot/do not own property and cannot elect, but rather a vote (which means nothing to the District).

The United states of America is a Republic, but was mostly destroyed by the War of Northern Agression (the so called Civil War) in which the Federal Government of today was set up as a Democracy/Corporate/Trust which changed Washington City to its Capitol Washington, DC.

The Flag of that Democracy now flies above all state flags and pretends to be the former Republic but it has gotten to the point the US Peons no longer even call it that.

So deep is the ignorance from the Public education system, the average peon does not even car to learn the difference.
Anonymous Coward
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United States
10/18/2011 08:42 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
I pledge allegience to the flag
Of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One Nation
Under God
Indivisible
With liberty and justice for all.




That should answer the question.
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 08:55 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
I just checked my kid's social studies book. It says that the "Constitution states that our country is a democratic republic. In a democratic republic, people pick representives to run the government. Democracy means that the power to rule comes from the people." <That's from a social studies book published by McGraw Hill>


What I learned in school was that a true democracy has everyone vote on everything. Because the USA was so large when it was founded (an even larger today, obviously), a true democracy would be impossible to maintain. Imagine counting millions of votes for every little issue. Anyway, our representatives in Congress are voted by a democratic process, and then they make decisions on our behalf in Washington, hence, the Republic part.

So, saying we have a democracy in the US is only half right.
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 09:07 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
I just checked my kid's social studies book. It says that the "Constitution states that our country is a democratic republic. In a democratic republic, people pick representives to run the government. Democracy means that the power to rule comes from the people." <That's from a social studies book published by McGraw Hill>


What I learned in school was that a true democracy has everyone vote on everything. Because the USA was so large when it was founded (an even larger today, obviously), a true democracy would be impossible to maintain. Imagine counting millions of votes for every little issue. Anyway, our representatives in Congress are voted by a democratic process, and then they make decisions on our behalf in Washington, hence, the Republic part.

So, saying we have a democracy in the US is only half right.
 Quoting: Oubliette


Your kids book is a lie. The United States is not a 'country' at all, it was a Republic of States, unified under a restricted Constitutional agreement.

It is a Nation of independent states. There is never any mention of the word or working of Democracy in the founding documents that were adopted as the laws of this land.

The power to rule in a Republic never leaves the people, but is defined and limited for their elected representatives in the Constitution (law of the land).

Thus, the 10 th amendment "all powers" that were not enumerated to the Federal Government in the Constitution were retained by the States or to the people, respectively.

Congress, the Judicial branch, the President had NO POWER that was not spelled out directly in the Constitution. They could not change it or add to it, nor could the people without specific laws being followed. That was the rule of law.

If you or anyone thinks that is what is happening today, you are sadly mistaken.
deadpammy

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10/18/2011 09:08 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
the USA is a republic. Obammy knows the difference, and the difference is significant. But him, and those who think like him are trying to change history a little bit at a time to fall in line with what they BELIEVE the country should be.

Here is a link to help:

[link to www.1215.org]

bump

For great question, everyone needs to know the difference between the two. I'm so tired of these idiot politicians trying to mold our country through brain dead sheep and the ill-informed.

Last Edited by deadpammy on 10/18/2011 09:13 AM
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CtYankee

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10/18/2011 09:16 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
We are a Republic.....look what so called Democracy has done for the world.

And I'm not talking Political "parties"
CtYankee

"If at first you don't succeed, erase all evidence that you tried." -anonymous


-Spouting a fountain of nonsense since 1972-

Never met anyone important enough to lie to.....
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 09:20 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
The constitution is also an important part of a republic.

If you had a Democracy without a constitution then the 99% poor people could vote to take money from the 1% rich people that Obama keeps talking about.

I don't think the president fully understands the constitution either.

.
ShadowDancer

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10/18/2011 01:03 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
"Constitutional Republic"




bump
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Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 01:11 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
"The US is a Democracy. Where the shareholders are electors and have a say in what happens, it is also limited to 10 square miles in Washington District of Columbia. The shareholders have peons called US Citizens, who cannot/do not own property and cannot elect, but rather a vote (which means nothing to the District).

The United states of America is a Republic, but was mostly destroyed by the War of Northern Agression (the so called Civil War) in which the Federal Government of today was set up as a Democracy/Corporate/Trust which changed Washington City to its Capitol Washington, DC.

The Flag of that Democracy now flies above all state flags and pretends to be the former Republic but it has gotten to the point the US Peons no longer even call it that.

So deep is the ignorance from the Public education system, the average peon does not even car to learn the difference."



Absolutely correct...I could not say this any better.

DC honors Lincoln with a hudge memorial....not because he "freed the slaves" but becuase he destoyed the Republic.
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 01:14 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
So why the democracy thing?
 Quoting: Olieco 1625199


That's what libtarded proggies want us to be. They're delusional and ignorant of history.
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 01:14 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
Land of the Slave home of the Coward.
This is neither. Its a Nazi state. They slave you with their debts.
the white rose

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10/18/2011 01:15 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
Since March 27,1861 the DeFacto government of democracy achieved a defeat of the Republic and became outlaw to the Constitution,if you vote for the defacto government you become outlaw to the Constitution and give up your God given unalienable rights as enumerated in the 'BILL OF RIGHTS' the white rose DO NOT VOTE
Shingen

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10/18/2011 01:25 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
I pledge allegience to the flag
Of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One Nation
Under God
Indivisible
With liberty and justice for all.




That should answer the question.
 Quoting: Oubliette


The Pledge of Allegiance was written by a couple of socialists in the 1890s.
"Anarchism is not a romantic fable but the hardheaded realization, based of five thousand years of experience, that we cannot entrust the management of our lives to kings, priests, politicians, generals, or county commissioners." - Edward Abbey

"But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist." -Lysander Spooner

"If they take the ship, they'll rape us to death, eat our flesh, and sew our skin into their clothing, and if we're very very lucky, they'll do it in that order." - Firefly
708
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10/18/2011 01:50 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
I pledge allegience to the flag
Of the United States of America
And to the Republic for which it stands
One Nation
Under God
Indivisible
With liberty and justice for all.




That should answer the question.
 Quoting: Oubliette


The Pledge of Allegiance was written by a couple of socialists in the 1890s.
 Quoting: Shingen


Yep, "pledges of Allegiance" were big after the military conquests of the Southern states. If the "rebels" did not take a pledge of allegiance to the Feral, I mean, Federal Government, they were imprisoned or shot.

Most of the pledges were taken with loaded guns pointed at the heads of the pledgers.

Even after "Representatives" from the Southern states were allowed back into still adjourned sine die congress, they were told how to vote under penalty of death (treason) and sometimes at gun point as well.
Resister

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10/18/2011 01:58 PM

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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
We are a Republic which is rule by law. A Democracy is literally mob rule based not on law but on the ignorant whims of fickle people. The best examples of how each works today would be the Tea Party Movement (Republic) and the Occupy Wall Street mob (Democracy).
"God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, & always, well informed... If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty... Let them take arms... What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. " - Thomas Jefferson in 1787
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 02:02 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
Democratic Republic....our Canada friends maybe forgiven BUT Americans don't know?...gee I wonder why our system is having problems?. Maybe because the citizens have no idea what their county's political and economic systems are, they sit in parks with signs rather than getting involved.
Shingen

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10/18/2011 02:07 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
We are a Republic which is rule by law.
 Quoting: Resister


Every law passed is an original freedom lost, and a new crime instituted by the State
"Anarchism is not a romantic fable but the hardheaded realization, based of five thousand years of experience, that we cannot entrust the management of our lives to kings, priests, politicians, generals, or county commissioners." - Edward Abbey

"But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case, it is unfit to exist." -Lysander Spooner

"If they take the ship, they'll rape us to death, eat our flesh, and sew our skin into their clothing, and if we're very very lucky, they'll do it in that order." - Firefly
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 02:42 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
We need direct democracy on some issues such as war and immigration policy. Both affect our property rights.

No matter what Washington DC was founded as that no longer is the case: it is a fascist regime.
Anonymous Coward
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10/18/2011 03:33 PM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
Your kids book is a lie.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 692708

Fair enough. I did look over the constitution, and I couldn't find anywhere where it specifically states that the US is a 'democratic republic'.


A Republic is defined as:
1) : a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law <Miriam-Websters>

Article 4, Section 4 of the Constitution states:
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.


However, a democracy is defined as:
1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections
<Miriam-Websters>

Article 1 Section 2 states:
The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.

Amendment 17 states:
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.


When the constitution was originally written the "body of citizens' who could vote consisted of white men who owned property. Amendments were passed that turned that body of citizens into all adults above the age of 18, thus making the voting process more democratic.
So, I'm still going with 'Democratic Republic'.
708
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10/19/2011 08:38 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
Your kids book is a lie.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 692708

Fair enough. I did look over the constitution, and I couldn't find anywhere where it specifically states that the US is a 'democratic republic'.


A Republic is defined as:
1) : a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law <Miriam-Websters>

Article 4, Section 4 of the Constitution states:
The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.


However, a democracy is defined as:
1 a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority b : a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections
<Miriam-Websters>

Article 1 Section 2 states:
The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several states, and the electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislature.

Amendment 17 states:
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the state legislatures.


When the constitution was originally written the "body of citizens' who could vote consisted of white men who owned property. Amendments were passed that turned that body of citizens into all adults above the age of 18, thus making the voting process more democratic.
So, I'm still going with 'Democratic Republic'.
 Quoting: Oubliette


Good on you for doing your own research!

The Federal Government was originally the Government of the States to provide them with protection, mutual trade/currency/postal service, it was never supposed to be the Governing body of the People/citizens of each State.

The State Reps voted the will of their people when it came to common issues not addressed directly by the Constitution.

I would ask you to continue your studies, because we all can agree on this:
What ever it started out as, the Federal Government today has very little, if any, viable semblance of what was intended by its founders.
Anonymous Coward
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10/19/2011 08:43 AM
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Re: I thought the US was a Republic and not a Democracy
So why the democracy thing?
 Quoting: Olieco 1625199


It evolves if unchecked...

It goes from Republic, to Democracy, to oligarchy, to tyranny.
Really were leaving the oligarchy stage, to tyranny...





GLP