Posted on 08/26/2003 12:19:02 AM PDT by Mad Dawgg
Do you live in a democracy?
If you do it must surely be interesting, voting on all those issues and participating directly in government. I've always wondered what it would be like. Gathering together and voting on issues it must be very exciting.
Most Americans believe they live in a democracy and many folks will argue they do because well, their teachers told them so. The truth is our nation never has been. In fact the members of the constitutional convention argued this very notion as they debated the Articles of the Constitution of the United States of America.
I dare say it would shock many Americans if they knew the author of the following quote: “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.”
Give Up? Well, it was none other than Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Yes ladies and gentlemen the founding father of all the founding fathers. In fact most of the so-called founding fathers were dead set against America becoming a Democracy. And with good reason, no true Democracy has survived very long, for the fate of Democracy turns on public opinion.
A Democracy is a form of government best defined as “one person = one vote.” And, that goes for everything. For example if you want new street lights in Yourtown well you must get a majority of the citizens in Yourtown to vote for it. Sounds simple doesn’t it? Well not really. First of all there are 6k people in the city of Yourtown and you’ve got to get them to agree on all aspects, what color, how expensive, where do we start putting them up, in the south end or the west side, where do we get the money etc. etc. If you’ve ever been involved in getting a large group of people to agree on one thing you will understand how complicated a Democracy can be.
True Democracy has been dead for many a year, and for good reason it is virtually unworkable for large populations. The founding fathers knew this and that is why they established a Constitutional Republic, or some would call it Representative Democracy. Which in fact is an attempt by the more liberal leaning scholars to taint the argument on our foundations of government. It serves the populist ideals of the left to promote the idea that we are something that we are not and have never been.
Our Constitutional Republic was carefully crafted to allow no one man or one branch of government to gain too much power but it was also crafted to deny the whims of the majority from wrecking the foundation of our country, the foundation being the Constitution. See, we are a nation of laws and we elect representatives to uphold the Constitution. Not, to vote us some new social program or another entitlement.
Dr. Franklin was a genius, for that there is no doubt. He was a great force in the founding of our country and is responsible for many of the things we take for granted today. He had another saying that I doubt many in America would know or recognize. “When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” Yes Franklin had it down. Today, more and more money is sent to Washington D.C. in the name of social programs and the cry of the left is we need even more money to get the job done.
I sometimes wish I could go back in time and bring Dr. Franklin into the present so he could address the federal government in a State of the Union speech. Oh man, now that would be entertainment!
I can see it all now. All of the major networks and cable news anchors, the New York Times and all the rest of the birdcage liners all gathered together to cover this momentous occasion. A hush would come over the gathered heads of state and the members of our government as the lights dim. A single spotlight would illuminate Dr. Franklin as he put on his famous bifocals and acknowledge the gathered dignitaries:
”Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, the esteemed members of the Supreme Court, distinguished members of the House and the Senate, and the citizens of this great nation I bid you all greetings.”
“I’ve journeyed here today across the expanse of time some 216 years ago at the very conclusion of the writing of the Constitution to this present day to put forth a very important question to you all…”
“What in God’s good name do you think you people are doing?!?!?!?!”
Of course not. Why settle for a demo when you can live in your own Cray for a mere $10 million?
Interesting. Thanks for the post and ping ...
I dare say it would shock many Americans if they knew the author of the following quote: “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.”
Give Up? Well, it was none other than Dr. Benjamin Franklin. Yes ladies and gentlemen the founding father of all the founding fathers. In fact most of the so-called founding fathers were dead set against America becoming a Democracy. And with good reason, no true Democracy has survived very long, for the fate of Democracy turns on public opinion.
I sometimes wish I could go back in time and bring Dr. Franklin into the present so he could address the federal government in a State of the Union speech. Oh man, now that would be entertainment!I can see it all now. All of the major networks and cable news anchors, the New York Times and all the rest of the birdcage liners all gathered together to cover this momentous occasion ...
(laughing with coffee-up-the-nose as I read this)
(That's my story and I am sticking to it!)
hehe ! Glad you liked it. Smart bird, eh ? ...
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