Quote From: amberlyn1Please go read James Madisons Federalist Paper #10, wherein he discusses the topic of Democracies.
In the Pledge of Allegiance we all pledge allegiance to our Republic,
not to a democracy. "Republic" is the proper description of our
government, not "democracy."
The Constitution guarantees to every state a Republican form of
government (Art. 4, Sec. 4). No state may join the United States unless
it is a Republic. Our Republic is one dedicated to "liberty and justice
for all." Minority individual rights are the priority. The people have
natural rights instead of civil rights. The people are protected by the
Bill of Rights from the majority. One vote in a jury can stop all of
the majority from depriving any one of the people of his rights; this
would not be so if the United States were a democracy. (see People's rights vs Citizens' rights)
In a pure democracy 51 beats 49[%. In a democracy there is no such
thing as a significant minority: there are no minority rights except
civil rights (privileges) granted by a condescending majority. Only
five of the U.S. Constitution's first ten amendments apply to Citizens
of the United States. Simply stated, a democracy is a dictatorship of
the majority. Socrates was executed by a democracy: though he harmed no
one, the majority found him intolerable.
We have
grown accustomed to hearing that we are a democracy; such was never the
intent. The form of government entrusted to us by our Founders was a republic, not a democracy.1 Our Founders had an opportunity
to establish a democracy in America and chose not to. In fact, the
Founders made clear that we were not, and were never to become, a
democracy:
[Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention;
have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights
of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they
have been violent in their deaths.2 James Madison
Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and
murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit
suicide.3 John Adams
A democracy is a volcano which conceals the fiery materials of its own
destruction. These will produce an eruption and carry desolation in
their way.4
The known propensity of a democracy is to licentiousness [excessive
license which the ambitious call, and ignorant believe to be liberty.5 Fisher Ames, Author of the House Language for the First Amendment
We have seen the tumult of democracy terminate . . . as [it has
everywhere terminated, in despotism. . . . Democracy! savage and wild.
Thou who wouldst bring down the virtuous and wise to thy level of folly
and guilt.6 Gouverneur Morris, Signer and Penman of the Constitution
[The experience of all former ages had shown that of all human
governments, democracy was the most unstable, fluctuating and
short-lived.7 John Quincy Adams
A simple democracy . . . is one of the greatest of evils.8 Benjamin Rush, Signer of the Declaration
In democracy . . . there are commonly tumults and disorders. . . .
Therefore a pure democracy is generally a very bad government. It is
often the most tyrannical government on earth.9 Noah Webster
Pure democracy cannot subsist long nor be carried far into the
departments of state, it is very subject to caprice and the madness of
popular rage.10 John Witherspoon, Signer of the Declaration
It may generally be remarked that the more a government resembles a
pure democracy the more they abound with disorder and confusion.11 Zephaniah Swift, Author of America's First Legal Text
Please realize that the words democracy and republic can be used in several contexts. It can be a philosophy of government or the actual structure of government. Since I mentioned Jefferson in my original post on this topic, here is Jefferson on education (source - earlyamerica.com).
The preparation of the voter so that he might express his opinion by means of the ballot, thus insuring political liberty, was one of the main goals of Jefferson's plan for education which asserted four basic principles:
- "that democracy cannot long exist without enlightenment.
- that it cannot function without wise and honest officials.
- that talent and virtue, needed in a free society, should be educated regardless of wealth, birth or other accidental condition.
- that the children of the poor must be thus educated at common expense." (as cited in Padover, 1952, p. 43)
Jefferson felt so strongly about education that he, as a strict constitutional constructionist, submitted to congress an amendment to the constitution to legalize federal support for education in his State of the Union Address, December 2, 1806. "Education is here placed among the articles of public care. . . " (Honeywell, 1964, p. 63).
Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories. And to render even them safe, their minds must be improved to a certain degree. . . . An amendment to our constitution must here come in aid of the public education. The influence over government must be shared among all people. (as cited in Padover, 1939, p. 87)
The amendment was never considered, so, Jefferson turned his efforts to his beloved state of Virginia. He developed a comprehensive plan for education which encompassed elementary, secondary, and university levels.
Parents want the best for their children, but what’s the best way to educate them? Dr. Phil’s guests face off in a debate about whether to school, homeschool or unschool. Dana and her husband, Joe, call themselves radical unschoolers. They say education happens as a side effect of life, and they don’t believe in tests, curriculums or grades. Are their three kids learning what they need to know? Then, RaeAnn says public schools are death traps and wants to homeschool her children. Her husband, Steve, says their kids are safer at school than they are at home. Can this couple reach a compromise? Plus, Nicole feels like an outcast at 26. She says she hated being homeschooled, and couldn’t relate to other kids. Share your thoughts here.
