Building Republics

The speed with which Iraqi society has changed from a despotic dictatorship to a popularly-elected parliament is breath-taking. It's taken just three years. Here, in the United States, it took nearly thirteen years (July 4,1776 to April 30, 1789) for us to establish our current form of government. While I agree with the President's statements that the best way to curb and, eventually, end terrorism in the Middle East is by introducing freedom, I do take exception with his claim that we are building a "Democracy." Hell, we're not even a democracy ... while would we offer to build one for anyone else?

"I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America. And to the REPUBLIC, for which it stands, one nation ..."

Anybody recognize this ... class? Anyone? Notice it doesn't say "And to the DEMOCRACY, for which it stands ..." The United States is not a Democracy, nor has it ever been one. The founders specifically avoided a government ruled by the majority at the expense of the minority and the individual. The Federalist Papers, written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, provide a detailed analysis of the Constitution and clearly explain how and why the founders arrived at our form of government. And, as Texas Congressman Ron Paul points out, there are many undemocratic mechanisms in our Constitution: the Electoral College, and the Bill of Rights being two prime examples.

What we really have in the US, and are fostering for the world at large, is a Democratic Republic, i.e., a representative form of government where the representatives are elected by a majority of the voters within their districts. True Democracy and true Republicanism are very different forms of government, indeed.

Much like the word "inflammable" - which actually means that something will burn/explode if a match is present - has been modified to "flammable", the phrase "democratic republic" has been, unfortunately, shortened to "democracy." Except for those who are great advocates of Communism, I can't imagine any individual sacrificing their right to free speech, freedom of religion, private property, or any other individual right simply because the majority thinks they should. So, let's be clear, Mr. President, we're trying to build Republics, not Democracies.