A little something to make your head spin

[..]

Some information on how a segment of the Federal Govt works.

NO THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO PILE ON EITHER SIDE. Just read it and be a lttle better educated than you were.

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/bills/glossary.html

[x]

Democracy is a messy and complicated enterprise.  The rules define the battlefield.  And the process keeps the members from killing each other.

[..]

It's a Federal Republic based on the Constitution.

http://constitutionus.com/

No mention of Democracy.

[x]

It's a Federal Republic based on the Constitution.

http://constitutionus.com/

No mention of Democracy.

Otherwise known as a Constitutional Republic.  But the fact of the matter is that we have a representative democracy, as opposed to a direct democracy, and in theory, at least, the representatives are democratically elected.

It is true that, in theory, a Constitutional Republic could exist without democratically elected representatives... how, I don't know... but there is no question that in the US, representatives and the executive branch are democratically elected; hence my original comments hold true.

[solo1]

 It IS a Republic.  However, the representatives and the Senators are elected by the democratic process but the President , in actuality, is elected by electoral votes based on the number of representatives. That is more like a Republic. Of course, politics are involved since the electoral college designates, are not neccessarily bound to the popular vote.  That's probably the reason why many think that the popular vote should be the deciding one.

I've always wondered about that. Even the Supreme Court had to get involved as you know on the Gore, Bush controversy. Yeah, I know, Wayne, I probably am wrong on something here but that's how i see it.

[x]

It IS a Republic.  However, the representatives and the Senators are elected by the democratic process but the President , in actuality, is elected by electoral votes based on the number of representatives. That is more like a Republic. Of course, politics are involved since the electoral college designates, are not neccessarily bound to the popular vote.  That's probably the reason why many think that the popular vote should be the deciding one.

I've always wondered about that. Even the Supreme Court had to get involved as you know on the Gore, Bush controversy. Yeah, I know, Wayne, I probably am wrong on something here but that's how i see it.

I forgot that.  Interesting that the Founding Fathers didn't trust the electorate enough for the direct election of the President.  Or maybe that the electorate could be swayed by a populist, whom, once elected, would not serve the interests of the people. 
 
What's wrong, BTW?

[solo1]

Nothing's wrong really.  I've used that ploy in the past to win four consecutive terms as councilman.  My opponents always seemed to think that I was a wimp but they found out differently.

However, sometimes I get weary of being lumped in the same category as Washington politicians.
I am proud of my past record. I listened and was available to my constituents at all times.  I took my oath of office seriously.  In fact, to this day, I take the same oath as an appointed Board of Works and Safety member.  I have been taking the oath of government office for 21 years.  I like politics as practiced on the town level.  

I despise politics on the national level, especially now.

I almost forgot to add that I had a salary of $4000. yearly on the council with no perks. As BOW member I am paid $80.00 for each meeting, also with no perks.  Compensation slightly different than the national level

[texaninsouthfl]

It IS a Republic.  However, the representatives and the Senators are elected by the democratic process but the President , in actuality, is elected by electoral votes based on the number of representatives. That is more like a Republic. Of course, politics are involved since the electoral college designates, are not neccessarily bound to the popular vote.  That's probably the reason why many think that the popular vote should be the deciding one.

I've always wondered about that. Even the Supreme Court had to get involved as you know on the Gore, Bush controversy. Yeah, I know, Wayne, I probably am wrong on something here but that's how i see it.

I forgot that.  Interesting that the Founding Fathers didn't trust the electorate enough for the direct election of the President.  Or maybe that the electorate could be swayed by a populist, whom, once elected, would not serve the interests of the people. 
 
What's wrong, BTW?

A direct democracy is mob rule.

Like the old saying goes, "Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner."

[MP]

Also, Senators were not elected by the people either. Just like the President.

[Willow]

I forgot that.  Interesting that the Founding Fathers didn't trust the electorate enough for the direct election of the President.  Or maybe that the electorate could be swayed by a populist, whom, once elected, would not serve the interests of the people. 

I believe the original reasoning behind the Electoral College was an attempt to more evenly balance power between the more populous States and those with fewer voters.  A concern of some of the smaller and at least some of the southern States was their voice would not be heard and their interests not attended in a direct election of the president. 

It may well be that today with the heavily lopsided number of representatives from a few very populous states that the Electoral College is no longer serving its purpose.  An election based solely on popular vote would only exacerbate that imbalance.

I've long believed that those insisting on distinguishing between the U.S. being a democracy or a constitutional republic as if they're mutually exclusive are playing meaningless word games.

[BigAl]

Democracy is messy.

Because a lot of voters are swayed not by ideas, but by emotions.

For woman, is the man or woman good looking.

For a man the class he represents is the higher part of the equation.

Working man, usually Dem if Union, usually Repub if non union.

Middle Class Professional usually Dem, but most really vote independant.

If you really want the truth we are all independents by some margin.

So if the economy stinks, vote for the other party, if war is unjust vote for the other party.

ANd in the mid-terms vote out the majority party and in goes the minority once again.

Repeated too many times to count.


But ths time things are more to the point, dire in nature.

Debt is the ruler now, owned by our new task master China, wow be to them that vote for Dingis again.

[musclehead]

Democracy is a messy and complicated enterprise.  The rules define the battlefield.  And the process keeps the members from killing each other.

democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding who is going to be dinner.

[musclehead]

It's a Federal Republic based on the Constitution.

http://constitutionus.com/

No mention of Democracy.

Otherwise known as a Constitutional Republic.  But the fact of the matter is that we have a representative democracy, as opposed to a direct democracy, and in theory, at least, the representatives are democratically elected.

It is true that, in theory, a Constitutional Republic could exist without democratically elected representatives... how, I don't know... but there is no question that in the US, representatives and the executive branch are democratically elected; hence my original comments hold true.

you can't cherry pick, the senate is there to bring balance to the law making arm of government. yes they are chosen by the people, but Wyoming has as much of a vote as a more populated state like California