Government by the People: Is It Possible?

Brownstone Institute ^ | Sep 11, 2020 | Gigi Foster, Michael Baker, Paul Frijters

[upchuck]

The Gettysburg Address celebrated “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” echoing the ideals of the Enlightenment: equality for all, and liberation from the yoke of tyrannical rulers.

Since 1863 when Abraham Lincoln made his iconic speech, the “government of the people” bit has just purred along without a glitch. There has been no dearth of individuals wanting to rule others, whether by election or by birthright. The people have been thoroughly governed, and governed more still.

The “government for the people” bit has had its ups and downs. Every government claims it rules for the people – it would be political suicide not to make that claim in a developed Western society – but humans have a tendency to look after Number 1 before they help others. When placed in positions of authority, individuals have usually used those positions to amass more power and wealth for themselves.

[upchuck]

Read the rest at the link. This is an excellent article.

[Chad C. Mulligan]

Government "by the people" is Democracy, i.e. government by the mob.

Government with the consent of the people is how our Republic was intended to work.

[kiryandil]

I've withdrawn my consent to a "government" installed in a rigged "election".

No Step On Snek.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

There was a study which showed that the demands of the wealthy and powerful were more often put into law than those of the poor and middleclass.

Oligarchy with a side of democracy for cover.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Although our republic is not a pure democracy, it has definite democratic elements to it. Our representatives are democratically elected.

They then go into congress and do the bidding of the lobbyists, and do just enough for the "people" so as not to get tarred and feathered.

Our "states" have a say via the senate, but our senators are beholden to the lobbyists as well. Also, our states are beholden to the federal budget as many state programs are funded by federal money.

So whatever the US was supposed to be is so far from what it currently is, that arguing over fine points like "democracy vs. republic" is just nitpicking.

[Nifster]

These people are insane. I quit reading the idiocy when they suggested that heads of hospitals ought to be chosen by the people

That suggestion alone tells me they are not serious people. I suspect they are academics who’ve never actually worked a real job in their lives

[EQAndyBuzz]

The only way to have government by the people is set boundaries on what government can and cannot do. To correct the totalitarianism of the way government works today, there must be term limits and restrictions on the media based on the rights the Constitution provides in the first amendment.

The minute the media chooses sides, there can no longer be a democracy.