When not in the legislative majority and old meme becomes LTTE's

[underpants]

We have seen this numerous times on C-Span already. I would expect to se more of these type of letter in the near future. This is a BONUS as it fits right into their "victimization" culture.

Republics Prevent Mob-Rule Mentality
Editor, Times-Dispatch: The letter from Susan Lawson concluding with the hope that elected officials would stop giving in to minority opinions and start representing the majority brought to mind an Op/Ed column by Walter Williams in which he pointed out that America is not a democracy.
Our nation's Founders had disdain for democracy and majority rule. Their vision was for a republic. The word democracy appears neither in the Declaration of Independence nor in the U.S. Constitution. Should we change our Pledge of Allegiance to say "to the democracy for which it stands"? Should we rename "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" "The Battle Hymn of the Democracy"?

The beauty of a republic is that it helps keep the bullies in check. Whether we like it or not, most of us are in the minority on something. I am grateful that we are governed by a constitution and not by mob rule. We all need at some point protection from the bullies who would use their majority status to impose their will on the rest of us. Richard Genter. richmond.

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1045855935005&c=MGArticle&cid=1149192791397&path=%21editorials%21letters

[tularetom]

1. Our founders had disdain for state sanctioned religion too

but I'll bet Mr Genter believes we are a "christian nation". Whiney asshole.

[unpossibles]

2. well, he is right but they also had respect for the will of the people

it is the people of the United States which give government it's power.

I don't necessarily disagree with the LTTE - don't get too hung up on the words "democracy" and "republic" and expect the parties of the same name to necessarily match what the words mean.

If anything, The Democratic party is more "republican" in that we tend to protect the rights of the minority from being trampled, and the Republican party is more - I don't know... fucked up and all about "might makes right" - which is the Mob Rule the author is discussing.

[JAbuchan08]

3. The difference between Democrats and Republicans

is that Republicans see Democracy and Republicanism as mutually exclusive while Democrats think they can represent the people without trashing Democratic values and protections.

[unpossibles]

4. great answer. n/t