Tilting Our Politics Back Toward Democracy

[berg80]

The present debate about the independent state legislature theory—a disingenuous interpretation of constitutional clauses that would grant state legislatures tremendous power to defy state courts and even ignore the states’ popular votes in presidential elections—is in large part a question of how much power the demos should have in our democracy. Recent years have seen no shortage of similar democracy-limiting ideas, rulings, laws, and proposals, such as the Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County decision, which opened the door to unnecessarily restrictive voting laws, and 2019 Rucho decision, which made partisan gerrymandering nonjusticiable.

Consider also the longstanding trope that “the United States is a republic, not a democracy”—a truism that conservative politicians and writers, perhaps forgetting that it was once the slogan of the ultra-right John Birch Society and associated with opposition to civil rights, have for decades routinely deployed as if it were a decisive rebuttal to anyone who argues that perhaps a bit more power in our political system should be put in the hands of the people.

Based on this understanding, elected officials prop up the parts of our system of government that make it easier for them to obtain and hold onto power while also making it difficult for the people to hold them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions. Without sufficient accountability, legislative bodies can disregard the expressed democratic will whenever they deem the people unfit to decide for themselves.

Tilting Our Politics Back Toward Democracy - The Bulwark

What the old trope about the United States being “a republic, not a democracy” misses about the American system.

www.thebulwark.com

This is a stunningly prescient concern for the damage entities like Faux can do to the public square.

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875

I thought this was a fascinating piece. It's now up for discussion, which, I hope we can keep out of the gutter.

 

[JGalt]

The US is not, nor has it ever been a "democracy."

It was at one time a constitutional republic, but now it's just a republic with a lot of bananas.

 

[Oddball]

The phony buttpipe OP just busted my sanctimony-o-meter.

 

[Auld Phart]

The present debate about the independent state legislature theory—a disingenuous interpretation of constitutional clauses that would grant state legislatures tremendous power to defy state courts and even ignore the states’ popular votes in presidential elections—is in large part a question of how much power the demos should have in our democracy. Recent years have seen no shortage of similar democracy-limiting ideas, rulings, laws, and proposals, such as the Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County decision, which opened the door to unnecessarily restrictive voting laws, and 2019 Rucho decision, which made partisan gerrymandering nonjusticiable.

Consider also the longstanding trope that “the United States is a republic, not a democracy”—a truism that conservative politicians and writers, perhaps forgetting that it was once the slogan of the ultra-right John Birch Society and associated with opposition to civil rights, have for decades routinely deployed as if it were a decisive rebuttal to anyone who argues that perhaps a bit more power in our political system should be put in the hands of the people.

Based on this understanding, elected officials prop up the parts of our system of government that make it easier for them to obtain and hold onto power while also making it difficult for the people to hold them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions. Without sufficient accountability, legislative bodies can disregard the expressed democratic will whenever they deem the people unfit to decide for themselves.

Tilting Our Politics Back Toward Democracy - The Bulwark

What the old trope about the United States being “a republic, not a democracy” misses about the American system.

www.thebulwark.com

This is a stunningly prescient concern for the damage entities like Faux can do to the public square.

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875

I thought this was a fascinating piece. It's now up for discussion, which, I hope we can keep out of the gutter.

even ignore the states’ popular votes in presidential elections

When did the popular vote overrule the Electoral vote in deciding the presidency?

 

[22lcidw]

The present debate about the independent state legislature theory—a disingenuous interpretation of constitutional clauses that would grant state legislatures tremendous power to defy state courts and even ignore the states’ popular votes in presidential elections—is in large part a question of how much power the demos should have in our democracy. Recent years have seen no shortage of similar democracy-limiting ideas, rulings, laws, and proposals, such as the Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County decision, which opened the door to unnecessarily restrictive voting laws, and 2019 Rucho decision, which made partisan gerrymandering nonjusticiable.

Consider also the longstanding trope that “the United States is a republic, not a democracy”—a truism that conservative politicians and writers, perhaps forgetting that it was once the slogan of the ultra-right John Birch Society and associated with opposition to civil rights, have for decades routinely deployed as if it were a decisive rebuttal to anyone who argues that perhaps a bit more power in our political system should be put in the hands of the people.

Based on this understanding, elected officials prop up the parts of our system of government that make it easier for them to obtain and hold onto power while also making it difficult for the people to hold them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions. Without sufficient accountability, legislative bodies can disregard the expressed democratic will whenever they deem the people unfit to decide for themselves.

Tilting Our Politics Back Toward Democracy - The Bulwark

What the old trope about the United States being “a republic, not a democracy” misses about the American system.

www.thebulwark.com

This is a stunningly prescient concern for the damage entities like Faux can do to the public square.

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875

I thought this was a fascinating piece. It's now up for discussion, which, I hope we can keep out of the gutter.

A Republic that is based on low taxation. That was the intent of the founding fathers. Once the low taxation wall was breached, the route to Democracy and then totalitarianism was cleared. Totalitarianism will be the Liberal World Order. With the leaders of what was the United States as surrogates for the despot global leadership. Many in D.C. are that now. Including Joe Biden.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

The bulwark, founded partially by bill kristol, lol. The founders would have sent that buffoon back to king george.

 

[Oddball]

Based on this understanding, elected officials prop up the parts of our system of government that make it easier for them to obtain and hold onto power while also making it difficult for the people to hold them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions. Without sufficient accountability, legislative bodies can disregard the expressed democratic will whenever they deem the people unfit to decide for themselves.

The unctuous and condescending lack of self-awareness here is fucking epic.

 

[berg80]

The phony buttpipe OP just busted my sanctimony-o-meter.

So much for keeping the discussion out of the gutter. I suppose it was always a Quixotic request.

 

[berg80]

Based on this understanding, elected officials prop up the parts of our system of government that make it easier for them to obtain and hold onto power while also making it difficult for the people to hold them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions. Without sufficient accountability, legislative bodies can disregard the expressed democratic will whenever they deem the people unfit to decide for themselves.

The unctuous and condescending lack of self-awareness here is fucking epic.

Actually, that paragraph almost perfectly describes previous failed attempts (blocked by Repubs) to pass wildly popular legislation on enhanced gun control. Though I disagree with the notion holding "them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions" is materially more difficult than it was in the past. However, the failure to do so does embolden them. Ultimately, that is our collective failure.

 

[Oddball]

Actually, that paragraph almost perfectly describes previous failed attempts (blocked by Repubs) to pass wildly popular legislation on enhanced gun control. Though I disagree with the notion holding "them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions" is materially more difficult than it was in the past. However, the failure to do so does embolden them. Ultimately, that is our collective failure.

Did I mention something about an epic lack of self-awareness?

 

[berg80]

The bulwark, founded partially by bill kristol, lol. The founders would have sent that buffoon back to king george.

It's much more constructive to focus on the content of the article rather than being dismissive of it because the contributors to the Bulwark are not Trump cultists.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

Actually, that paragraph almost perfectly describes previous failed attempts (blocked by Repubs) to pass wildly popular legislation on enhanced gun control. Though I disagree with the notion holding "them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions" is materially more difficult than it was in the past. However, the failure to do so does embolden them. Ultimately, that is our collective failure.

The term "wildly popular" runs in progressive/communist circles. No real R, close to extinction, will have anything to do with passing laws that infringe upon the 2a.

 

[LordBrownTrout]

It's much more constructive to focus on the content of the article rather than being dismissive of it because the contributors to the Bulwark are not Trump cultists.

Kristol types are ready to nuke the entire world. I don't read trash from those likes.

 

[multivita-man]

The US is not, nor has it ever been a "democracy."

It was at one time a constitutional republic, but now it's just a republic with a lot of bananas.

A republic with lots of bananas? It can't be that bad, then. I like bananas - bunches.

 

[berg80]

Did I mention something about an epic lack of self-awareness?

Yes, you did. Care to make a point that is not so intentionally banal without the silly emoji?

 

[berg80]

Kristol types are ready to nuke the entire world. I don't read trash from those likes.

Keep your mind closed to other points of view. Good strategy.

 

[multivita-man]

A Republic that is based on low taxation. That was the intent of the founding fathers.

Where did they write this? I can't find this quote in any of my copies of the Federalist Papers. My recollection is that Alexander Hamilton believed the national government needed the power to raise and collect taxes.

 

[JGalt]

A republic with lots of bananas? It can't be that bad, then. I like bananas - bunches.

That's where all the best-dressed shoppers buy their clothes, you know.

Right next door to the Gap.

 

[1srelluc]

The present debate about the independent state legislature theory—a disingenuous interpretation of constitutional clauses that would grant state legislatures tremendous power to defy state courts and even ignore the states’ popular votes in presidential elections—is in large part a question of how much power the demos should have in our democracy. Recent years have seen no shortage of similar democracy-limiting ideas, rulings, laws, and proposals, such as the Supreme Court’s 2013 Shelby County decision, which opened the door to unnecessarily restrictive voting laws, and 2019 Rucho decision, which made partisan gerrymandering nonjusticiable.

Consider also the longstanding trope that “the United States is a republic, not a democracy”—a truism that conservative politicians and writers, perhaps forgetting that it was once the slogan of the ultra-right John Birch Society and associated with opposition to civil rights, have for decades routinely deployed as if it were a decisive rebuttal to anyone who argues that perhaps a bit more power in our political system should be put in the hands of the people.

Based on this understanding, elected officials prop up the parts of our system of government that make it easier for them to obtain and hold onto power while also making it difficult for the people to hold them culpable for unprincipled or incongruous actions. Without sufficient accountability, legislative bodies can disregard the expressed democratic will whenever they deem the people unfit to decide for themselves.

Tilting Our Politics Back Toward Democracy - The Bulwark

What the old trope about the United States being “a republic, not a democracy” misses about the American system.

www.thebulwark.com

This is a stunningly prescient concern for the damage entities like Faux can do to the public square.

A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774 - 1875

I thought this was a fascinating piece. It's now up for discussion, which, I hope we can keep out of the gutter.

When there are just no words to describe that level of political retardation.

 

[Maxdeath]

I always love when democrats pretend to care about our country and democracy while talking about taking power away from voters and states and handing everything over to the federal government.