And to The Republic!

A discussion I had with my son the other day, led me to the conclusion that our school system is woefully failing our youth. He was describing a conversation he was having in class with one of his professors. The professor asked him what form of government America is? He replied, as most people do, it's a democracy! The professor had him recite the "Pledge of Allegiance". So he began.....

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic, for which it stands"; STOP, he yelled. "Now what form of government are we?" "Point taken," my son said.

Now why did it take being at a college level before this was driven home? Because we are wrongly taught that America is a democracy . If America was truly a democracy, every vote would count. We wouldn't have a representative form of government. While they are similar, a democracy and a republic, there are subtle differences.

The "majority rule" is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy. Some people call it mob rule. American's love the principles of democracy, and will defend them, equality, and freedom.

A republic is a form of government in which the citizens choose their leaders, and the people (or at least a part of its people), have an impact on its government. Which is why we are having an unpopular healthcare bill even considered. James Madison defined republic in terms of representative democracy as opposed to direct democracy.

While this may sound like nitpicking, it's important we understand the difference because there are forms of democracy we don't want to morph into. Most of the European Union is considered a socialist democracy, and there are people in this country trying to push us toward that model. There biggest weapon is ignorance of the subtle differences, and using them to reconfigure what our government's design originally was.Be proud and tell people your part of a republic, spread the word! We are the original model of freedom. Let's not let our unique design be herded under the umbrella of a democracy, and be subject to the variations that'll water down the founding father's vision.

God Bless!
Capt. Bill