Posted on Apr 19, 2014
SSG Robert Burns
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I haven't finished the actual paper yet (its 42 pages) but the article seems to be an over simplification, but I'm curious to see the supporting research for its claims. &nbsp;I'm not drawing any opinion from the article. &nbsp;I'd rather read the source myself. &nbsp;It is an interesting thought.<div>Please only vote if you have at least read the article, but I'd encourage reading some of the research paper.</div><div>http://www.policymic.com/articles/87719/princeton-concludes-what-kind-of-government-america-really-has-and-it-s-not-a-democracy<br></div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://thumbs.policymic.com/q_6eZFWu8CP88XO0H8XPGiZXSDU=/11x202:5616x3737/1910x1000/s3.amazonaws.com/policymic-images/2eecd73a6ad3479ade22ba4dc9a1297d7841dcaa9e9ad176fa28c4d143376ba4.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.policymic.com/articles/87719/princeton-concludes-what-kind-of-government-america-really-has-and-it-s-not-a-democracy">Princeton Concludes What Kind of Government America Really Has, and It's Not a Democracy</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Scientists have proven that our government is far from what we believe.</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
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SSG Daniel Rosploch
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As has been said before, we are a republic, NOT a democracy.  To quote a rather over-used phrase:  "In a republic, my property is my domain and supports the minority.  In a democracy, the majority can vote to take my property so the majority rules."  Either way, we have lost what this country was initially founded upon, freedom for the lower class and the minority.  Of course, it is always up for debate if America was actually founded upon these principles or not.  If you're interested in seeing another view of the founding, read "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn.  I'm not advocating his views, just bringing something new to the debate.
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LTC Michael Gibson
LTC Michael Gibson
10 y
Interesting post, very excited to read the book you recommended.
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Sgt Randy Hill
Sgt Randy Hill
10 y
and to the republic which it stands.
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SFC Platoon Sergeant
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"...and to the republic for which it stands..."

That about sums it up.
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CW2 Humint Technician
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Edited 10 y ago
They needed a study to do that? Ever since I was a kid I've known it was a Republic.

I don't think they could feasibly collect all 300 million or so votes (ok, closer to 150 million).


We use that same system just about everywhere. Yeah, it leads to political corruption in that people can be bought and stuff, but we've done a pretty decent job for a few hundred years.

One could argue though that now that we have better technology we could easily count votes.
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SSG Gerhard S.
SSG Gerhard S.
10 y

SFC J, It is important to note that the Framers of our Constitution did NOT want the votes counted to simply elect by a plurality.  Doing so would have caused harm to the smaller less populous States, in favor of the larger more populous States.  The Electoral system was designed, wisely to allow the Smaller States to band together with greater force in order to counter the simple majority of the interests of just a few larger, more populous, and therefore more politically powerful States.  It's not a technology issue, it's a power sharing issue, that was, and still is a valid concern.  

Without the Electoral system the Framers feared that power would be centralized and monopolized by just a few States with the largest populations, and with such benefit, those in power could continue to funnel more and more power to those same large States.

 

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SSG Gerhard S.
SSG Gerhard S.
10 y

Additionally, I would note that the Framers specifically rejected the idea of a "democracy" because of the fact that in a Democracy, ANY simple majority can vote away the rights, freedom, or property of ANY smaller minority, or of the smallest minority, namely, the individual.  It is for this reason that the Declaration of Independence states,

 

 "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Pointing out that our rights are inviolable, that we are born with them, and that they may not be voted away, nor can they be violated without just cause.

Democracy was feared by the Framers nearly as vehemently as was Monarchy, or Theocracy, or Mercantilism.  All of these forms of government had ALREADY proven their deficiencies at the expense of the individual.

 

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