I was so pleased to see the article explaining the original design of our constitutional republic in the paper last Friday. Over the last century of our country, the word “republic” has been replaced by the word “democracy” in our politics, schools and in the minds of most Americans. I hope the majority of your readers did not dismiss it but read through its simple and concise explanation.
I have been dismayed over the past decade as people I associate with, who might otherwise be considered educated, say to me, “So, I don’t understand the difference between a democracy and a republic. Explain that.”
OMG!
Far too few people have engaged in this kind of conversation, thus the dumbing down of America continues.
A democracy can better be described by the group with the most power forcing the rest of the country to follow its dictates. When we abandon or ignore the parameters of our Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, we end up with a government that dictates to us, rather than protecting us.
Congress was never designed to be a full-time job for anyone, with retirement benefits, exclusive rights and privileges, but rather as a place of service to the communities of the representatives. (And it seems to be a conflict of interest to elect lawyers to Congress to draft the laws that they then make money prosecuting.)
The Supreme Court has violated our trust by adopting a view that the Constitution is a “living” document that can be reinterpreted in the light of changing social opinion. Their job was to be interpretation, not legislation.
And under the guidelines of a republic, the separate states were to exercise self-rule, with the federal government providing for oversight of interstate commerce and a militia for protection.
We need major surgery in the “Kingdom of Washington D.C., ” but we can’t treat that “cancer” unless we stop ignoring the symptoms. The government is no longer, “of, by, and for” the people, but rather, for the elected officials. (And I respectfully submit that Social Security in not an entitlement program, but rather a right. That money is yours and mine, period.) Be sure to observe the careful crafting of the words our leaders use. Get out the rule book and refresh yourself on how this country is supposed to run. Then, get mad and do something about it.
Vicki Penney-Rohner is a resident of Kailua-Kona.
