True Democracy

2008-12-20 17:18:00

In response to an article written by Harry Lamb, entitled "Our Federal Republic: Dangling By A Thread," posted by a student to The Keys spiritual discussion group, JJ Dewey started his response by first quoting from the article with:

"Democracy is often described as two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner. Democracy is mob rule. Democracy collapses when the majority discovers it can vote for itself treasure from the public coffers. Democracy is the last plateau of social order before anarchy."

Then, in response to the above quote, and to the entire article in general, JJ Dewey wrote:

I've heard this many times and have difficulty in seeing why people cannot immediately see through the illusion in it.

First of all we have never had a true democracy in the history of the world so the flaws here that are seen cannot be demonstrated.

We can, however, see the problem with our current government which is far removed from being any democracy. The laws and spending that are passed are usually far removed from the majority will of the people.

Our current system is like two wolves living with 20 sheep and the wolves having power to decide what kind of sacrifice the sheep will make.

Under a true democracy we are all one breed -- citizens deciding what will affect citizens.

His second illusion is as askew as the first. He says:

"Democracy collapses when the majority discovers it can vote for itself treasure from the public coffers. Democracy is the last plateau of social order before anarchy."

So what has happened now in the current system with no democracy? Are the wolves voting us treasure from the public coffers?

Indeed, by the trillions at present.

Would a democracy do the same thing?

No.

If you go through the spending disasters of history you will find that line by line the majority of people were against most of them. The spending disasters were created by a minority who thought they knew what was good for us . A democratic majority did not create our problems.

Finally, this guy is at odds with numerous Founding Fathers -- most notably Jefferson. Here are some quotes:

"The fundamental principle of [a common government of associated States] is that the will of the majority is to prevail." (Thomas Jefferson to William Eustis, 1809.)

"I subscribe to the principle, that the will of the majority honestly expressed should give law." (Thomas Jefferson: The Anas, 1793.)

"Where the law of the majority ceases to be acknowledged, there government ends; the law of the strongest takes its place, and life and property are his who can take them." (Thomas Jefferson to Annapolis Citizens, 1809.)

"[Bear] always in mind that a nation ceases to be republican only when the will of the majority ceases to be the law." (Thomas Jefferson: Reply to the Citizens of Adams County, Pa., 1808.)

"Absolute acquiescence in the decision of the majority, the vital principle of republics, from which is no appeal but to force, the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism." (Thomas Jefferson: 1st Inaugural, 1801.)