Why You’ve Been Lied To About “Our Democracy”

So many politicians and media personalities are now talking about “our democracy”.
But here’s what they all get wrong.
~

[johnanderson]

We’re not a democracy - we’re a republic. We don’t decide we decide who decides. The founding fathers had utter contempt for democracy in it’s literal form and went out of their way to avoid it.

[frankmorris]

" Democracy is two wolves and a lamb debating the luncheon menu. A Republic is an armed lamb contesting the vote."
~Ben Franklin~

Mob rule is 51%

[lanedexter]

“Remember, democracy never lasts long.  It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.  There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide.” — John Adams

[Trollleben]

When are people gonna start calling it what it really is, a constitutional republic

[elizabethstrahan]

The founders were very skeptical of straight democracy which is why we are a Representative Republic

[johnchandler]

Used to go to dinner with the people from work. They all agreed to split the bill equally. I said, no, I'll pay my own. They didn't like that I wasn'y a team player. I then explained, you guys all have from 2 to 5 drinks at $4 or more per. I just drink one beer and a modest meal. I'm not paying for your drinks and expensive entrées. I don't like paying for government employees extra perks and for their early pensions that are more than most working people make working either.

[devilslayerthesaintofkille]

We have been lied to about a lot of things in this country.

[stephaniemusick]

“Politicians having as little control over your life as possible.” How about politicians having absolutely zero control over my life? I would find that a satisfactory outcome.

[wrongthinker]

Good job explaining not only the problem with democracy, but also the problem with political parties.

[jamesd]

We were all warned....and warned....and warned again. And yet, here we are.

[GradeBmoviefan]

It is wrong to call our system a Democracy. It is a Republic. And to hear the politicians (and people) CONSTANTLY use the wrong word is nauseating and disgusting. ~Sharon from Florida

[rodmena]

In a democracy its not long before a group of people learn they can vote themselves a lot of things that other people's expense

[slappy]

Democracy is like a ship, and some people would sink the ship just because they don't like where it's going.

[jcmount]

Democracy is 3 wolves and 2 sheep voting on what's for lunch.

[paulroyal]

The term "Democracy" has been altered. 2, 400 years ago, Plato asked in his Republic lecture series, (paraphrased from the Greek) "What type of government do I have? ... The answer is 'who sits on the throne?' If it is one person, you have a tyrant or king. If it is multiple people, you have an oligarchy. If it is no one, you have an Anarchy [literally meaning 'headless']. If it is everyone, you have a [Direct] Democracy." But, over the years, "Democracy" has changed to mean "majority rules." This is dangerous, as it moves the terms toward Utilitarianism [which is neither a type of government nor a system of economic organization, but a Rule Of Thumb that states that when making a decision, choose the path that helps the most people]. And Utilitarianism is dangerous as it creeps toward the shallow thinking of math-ophobes who vibe with socialism and its horrors... This distinction is important, as in a Representative Democracy, our Representatives are our proxy voters in legislation of the government that we the people own. They are not our rulers, and we are not "the governed". ... In "majority rules", government just needs to support the assumed positions of a vague and present "majority". ... I have been saying for years that the greatest threat to democracy is the Democrat Party.

[michaelmartinez]

Every political system has flaws, but when corrupt people start getting in charge, that’s when things go to hell.

[lindalape]

Please, Nick, run for federal office!! This country needs you!!

[stony]

That’s why we’re a Constitutional Republic 😎

[salvatoredioguardi]

Thank God for giving our Founding Fathers the wisdom to create our Constitutional Republic and Electoral College!!! People throw around the word democracy without understanding why our Founders opted against it.

[fyrefox]

A democracy is three people in a room and two of them deciding to take the thirds stuff. Thank God we are a constitutional republic!