Democracy and Majority Rule

[beretta304]

What's so good about democracy and majority rule?

The founders of our nation held a deep abhorrence for democracy and majority rule. The word democracy appears in neither of our founding documents: our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. In Federalist Paper No. 10, James Madison wrote, "Measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority."


John Adams predicted, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

Edmund Randolph said, "... that in tracing these evils to their origin every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy."

Chief Justice John Marshall observed, "Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos."

In a word or two, the founders knew that a democracy would lead to the same kind of tyranny the colonies suffered under King George III. Our founders intended for us to have a republican form of limited government where political decision-making is kept to the minimum.

Democracy and Majority Rule by Walter E. Williams

 

[WorldWatcher]

What's so good about democracy and majority rule?

The founders of our nation held a deep abhorrence for democracy and majority rule. The word democracy appears in neither of our founding documents: our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. In Federalist Paper No. 10, James Madison wrote, "Measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority."


John Adams predicted, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

Edmund Randolph said, "... that in tracing these evils to their origin every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy."

Chief Justice John Marshall observed, "Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos."

In a word or two, the founders knew that a democracy would lead to the same kind of tyranny the colonies suffered under King George III. Our founders intended for us to have a republican form of limited government where political decision-making is kept to the minimum.

Democracy and Majority Rule by Walter E. Williams

I've been on political boards for about 8-years now and have often heard many people express the exact opposite when it comes to Same-sex Civil Marriage.



>>>>

 

[lukelk]

To the op, then stop claiming on other posts we are a democracy. Also if you don't like it, leave.

 

[beretta304]

To the op, then stop claiming on other posts we are a democracy. Also if you don't like it, leave.

Never did asshole. I know what we are and it's not a democracy. Care to link to where I said what you claimed? I didn't think so. Get back to the bus stop before you miss the short bus.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

What's so good about democracy and majority rule?

The founders of our nation held a deep abhorrence for democracy and majority rule. The word democracy appears in neither of our founding documents: our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. In Federalist Paper No. 10, James Madison wrote, "Measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority."


John Adams predicted, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

Edmund Randolph said, "... that in tracing these evils to their origin every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy."

Chief Justice John Marshall observed, "Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos."

In a word or two, the founders knew that a democracy would lead to the same kind of tyranny the colonies suffered under King George III. Our founders intended for us to have a republican form of limited government where political decision-making is kept to the minimum.

Democracy and Majority Rule by Walter E. Williams

The perfect argument, in-favor-of the Electoral College.​

 

[dblack]

Democracy is no more, or less, prone to abuse than any other form of government. But it is critically dependent on the mechanism of constitutional government. Without it, democracy becomes a threat to free society, allowing the majority to bully the minority on a whim.

 

[there4eyeM]

When the president speaks to the world, is it about spreading republican ideas or democracy? Which word comes from his mouth?
What is the problem with some people accepting that a republic is a form of democracy,
a subset? Why is there this insistence that 'we are not a democracy'? America functions on democratic principals. Yes, the founders (unlike today's 'politicians') had studied and understood and learned from history. That democracies have not worked is banal fact, but republics haven't always been so wonderful, either. This they share with all other forms of government.
Be adamant about the shade of difference if that amuses you, but keep it to yourself. Shouting at everyone every time she/he makes the mortal error of using 'democracy' when speaking about the US does not even rise to the level of childish.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

What's so good about democracy and majority rule?

The founders of our nation held a deep abhorrence for democracy and majority rule. The word democracy appears in neither of our founding documents: our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. In Federalist Paper No. 10, James Madison wrote, "Measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority."


John Adams predicted, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

Edmund Randolph said, "... that in tracing these evils to their origin every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy."

Chief Justice John Marshall observed, "Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos."

In a word or two, the founders knew that a democracy would lead to the same kind of tyranny the colonies suffered under King George III. Our founders intended for us to have a republican form of limited government where political decision-making is kept to the minimum.

Democracy and Majority Rule by Walter E. Williams

I've been on political boards for about 8-years now and have often heard many people express the exact opposite when it comes to Same-sex Civil Marriage.



>>>>

That's not surprising.

We're talking about the same types-o'-people who (typically) "staffed" lynch-mobs....the majority-rule in-action.​

 

[there4eyeM]

What's so good about democracy and majority rule?

The founders of our nation held a deep abhorrence for democracy and majority rule blah...blah...

Democracy and Majority Rule by Walter E. Williams

The perfect argument, in-favor-of the Electoral College.​

...and thus an argument against all direct election.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Democracy is no more, or less, prone to abuse than any other form of government. But it is critically dependent on the mechanism of constitutional government. Without it, democracy becomes a threat to free society, allowing the majority to bully the minority on a whim.

Exactly.​

 

[Sallow]

Basically this is yet another whine about losing the election.

We don't have "direct democracy', what we have is representative democracy..or a republic.

And we get to vote on who represents us. Thus the "majority" gets to decide the President.

As do majorities in indivdual districts and states get to decide who represents them.

This is part and parcel with the checks and balances thing as well.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

When the president speaks to the world, is it about spreading republican ideas or democracy? Which word comes from his mouth?
What is the problem with some people accepting that a republic is a form of democracy,
a subset? Why is there this insistence that 'we are not a democracy'? America functions on democratic principals. Yes, the founders (unlike today's 'politicians') had studied and understood and learned from history. That democracies have not worked is banal fact, but republics haven't always been so wonderful, either. This they share with all other forms of government.

.....All, of which, support the sentiment that our efforts have always been....

...."an experiment in democracy."

Unfortunately, our population is littered with "conservatives"/fundamentalists, who are obsessed with the convenience of Absolutes; absolving us of all risk....and, decision-making. They find Life MUCH-too-challenging, without specific "guarantees". Ironically, they're (also) always the first to insist "there ARE no guarantees, in Life".....especially after they've (already) gotten "theirs".​

 

[editec]

What's so good about democracy and majority rule?

The founders of our nation held a deep abhorrence for democracy and majority rule. The word democracy appears in neither of our founding documents: our Declaration of Independence and Constitution. In Federalist Paper No. 10, James Madison wrote, "Measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority."


John Adams predicted, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."

Edmund Randolph said, "... that in tracing these evils to their origin every man had found it in the turbulence and follies of democracy."

Chief Justice John Marshall observed, "Between a balanced republic and a democracy, the difference is like that between order and chaos."

In a word or two, the founders knew that a democracy would lead to the same kind of tyranny the colonies suffered under King George III. Our founders intended for us to have a republican form of limited government where political decision-making is kept to the minimum.

Democracy and Majority Rule by Walter E. Williams

Yup.

Surprise surprise! the richest men in the revolutionary colonies weren't entirely on board with the idea that the common people could manage their own affairs.

Who'da thunk?

 

[dblack]

Basically this is yet another whine about losing the election.

It would be a shame if that's all it were. The role of democracy, and the limitations place on it by a properly enforced constitution, are critical components of our form of government.

Sadly, there's a lot of confusion about the way our government works and there are those who want to see relatively unlimited majority rule, which is very dangerous.

 

[Old Rocks]

Bareass still bellyaching about the fact that the majority of Americans don't see things the way that he does.

 

[beretta304]

Bareass still bellyaching about the fact that the majority of Americans don't see things the way that he does.

When all else fails...ad hominem, eh Small Stones?

 

[there4eyeM]

The present rule by a minority has involved great danger as well, and we are paying for it.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

What's so good about democracy and majority rule?

The founders of our nation held a deep abhorrence for democracy and majority rule blah...blah...

Democracy and Majority Rule by Walter E. Williams

The perfect argument, in-favor-of the Electoral College.​

...and thus an argument against all direct election.

Well.....the popular-vote, anyhow.​

 

[dblack]

Bareass still bellyaching about the fact that the majority of Americans don't see things the way that he does.

Did you read the article? That's not what this is about. The concern is that so many Americans don't understand the purpose, and the limitations, of democracy in our government.

Today's Americans think Congress has the constitutional authority to do anything upon which they can get a majority vote. We think whether a measure is a good idea or a bad idea should determine its passage as opposed to whether that measure lies within the enumerated powers granted Congress by the Constitution. Unfortunately, for the future of our nation, Congress has successfully exploited American constitutional ignorance or contempt.

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Basically this is yet another whine about losing the election.

We don't have "direct democracy', what we have is representative democracy..or a republic.

And we get to vote on who represents us. Thus the "majority" gets to decide the President.

As do majorities in indivdual districts and states get to decide who represents them.

This is part and parcel with the checks and balances thing as well.

.....Highlighting (presently, anyhow) the differences, in Representatives, between the "rookies" (in The House), and the more-experienced (in The Senate).​