[RoannaM]

Can someone please tell me why Republicans always say we are a Republic not a Democracy? (As if it excuses their piggish behavior.) Thanks!

[haus]

I'm cross-posting (and plagarising) this from one of What's? posts in "American Democracy is Dead" in the hope that I can beat him to the punch. :)


"2. Government by popular representation; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but is indirectly exercised through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed; a constitutional representative government; a republic."


The correct name for our form of government is a "Democratic Republic." People who love crosswords will complain loudly when it's refered to as either a "democracy" or a "republic."

The forerunner to the current Democratic Party was the Democratic-Republican Party. More information on the party of Jefferson is available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic-Republican_Party .

[sweetpea]

WE are a representative republic. It's not a Democrat v. Republican thing.
I wish more school children knew our own contry's political system and (gasp) the Constitution.

A great place to start is the House of Representatives. Those members are comprised of representatives fo the people and are proportional to population. The Senate is a check against that and is simply porportional to states.

Try to put the Dem. Vs. Rep. thing aside and learn the nuts and bolts

[gratelady1]

The reality is this country is a farse, If you think what you name or label a system of government really matters to one who is disaffected by it, then your basically an idealist, and live in a reality too obscure and disconnected from the truth, you should see a psychologist or at least talk with a friend!

If you are able to view the opposite end of the spectrum of your ideals, then you could probably imagine the worse case scenario for that ideal- theorhectically..

For instance (please bare with me for a bit) lets say- I will play the devils' advocate for Pres. Bush... My frist premise- Bush is correct on everything.

We take Iraq and the folks there fight for themselves at some point and a democracy is reinforced, and the whole world rejoices... Wheeeee!!!

He maintains the current tax code and the rich have money to invest and make more money, to make more jobs, and we all get to work for all the money we can get..Wheee again x 2!!!

The Democrats, satisfied at last with this trickle down theory, give up thier long aspired dreams of helping the needy- dont need it anymore- everyone is working, there is peace on earth, and goodwill between all the religons.. Wheee x 3!!!! Whoop!!

Everyone gets thier drugs for free and everyone pays for thier own insurance and retirements, and thus more money for the corporations thus more jobs, thus less unemployment... Wheee..... x 4 square... Oh I love this world!!!!

NO more terrorism, wheeeee!!!!!

Our perfect utopia, finally!!

What do say great aint it?

Well before we start carving out his head on Mt. Rushmore, may I point out one little problem with this- our first premise, which all this is based on- is a false premise- Bush is not right on anything, in fact he has but all admitted the "mistakes that have been made in Iraq", he has been wrong since before we went into Iraq, and the only way he will ever be right about anything, anytime soon, is when he realizes folks like you and me will eventually stop imagining and wake up and see the reality and problems with his idealistic ventures!

[sweetpea]

gratelady,

take a pill.

What does your diatribe have to do with Roanna's question except that it gives you another window to tell everyone you hate GWB?

[gratelady1]

Why do you always have to have a window to try and say I hate GWB?

I dont even accept him as a relevant entity on this rock.

It's folk like you that want to build this myth- that somehow all of the political power is centralized in Bush and he is all powerful enough to be everything to everyone- when in fact he is nothing. Even today on Fox news, the conservative analysis, agreed that many of the 9-11 recommendations that have not been implemented, have nothing to do with Bush- it's this Congressional comm. and that commt.-blah-blah.

How could I hate nothing?

If I take a pill will you at least take a drink and chill about Bush?

Just because anyone says GWB was President of the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, and thus was responsible for the failed national security of that day, does not mean they hate him- they are just pointing out a fact you wont accept, and thus you hate them.

Get your head out of GWB's colon long enough to allow some oxygen into your cerebrum, so you can remember all of his accomplishments and failures, and accept them as a whole, instead of constantly wasting your time defending him against his own actions.

[sweetpea]

You spent 7 paragraphs trying to make a point about GWB. Roanna M asked a question regarding our political system. If you can;'t answer intelligently then just say so or ignore.

If you can find half as many words or paragraphs where I have my head up GWB's colon then point it out. good luck looking.

[gratelady1]

The reality is this country is a farse, If you think what you name or label a system of government really matters to one who is disaffected by it, then your basically an idealist, and live in a reality too obscure and disconnected from the truth, you should see a psychologist or at least talk with a friend!
If you are able to view the opposite end of the spectrum of your ideals, then you could probably imagine the worse case scenario for that ideal- theorhectically..

For instance (please bare with me for a bit) lets say- I will play the devils' advocate for Pres. Bush... My frist premise- Bush is correct on everything.

We take Iraq and the folks there fight for themselves at some point and a democracy is reinforced, and the whole world rejoices... Wheeeee!!!

He maintains the current tax code and the rich have money to invest and make more money, to make more jobs, and we all get to work for all the money we can get..Wheee again x 2!!!

The Democrats, satisfied at last with this trickle down theory, give up thier long aspired dreams of helping the needy- dont need it anymore- everyone is working, there is peace on earth, and goodwill between all the religons.. Wheee x 3!!!! Whoop!!

Everyone gets thier drugs for free and everyone pays for thier own insurance and retirements, and thus more money for the corporations thus more jobs, thus less unemployment... Wheee..... x 4 square... Oh I love this world!!!!

NO more terrorism, wheeeee!!!!!

Our perfect utopia, finally!!

What do say great aint it?

Well before we start carving out his head on Mt. Rushmore, may I point out one little problem with this- our first premise, which all this is based on- is a false premise- Bush is not right on anything, in fact he has but all admitted the "mistakes that have been made in Iraq", he has been wrong since before we went into Iraq, and the only way he will ever be right about anything, anytime soon, is when he realizes folks like you and me will eventually stop imagining and wake up and see the reality and problems with his idealistic ventures!

So- if you can conjure up enough reading skills and cognitive ability, re-read the bolded portion of my post and maybe you might be able to answer your question yourself and I would not have to give a long lecture on how I already expressed my opinion on the initial question of this thread Little pea.

Of course you could always go get help from your third grade teacher to explain it to you :D

[RoannaM]

You sound old and bitter where as I am young and maybe a bit naive. I think you attacking my intelligence is straight out of the Republican handbook. I asked the question to initiate discussion and to refute Republican talking points Oldlady...I mean gratelady.

[RoannaM]

Thank you for your reply. I know we are a representative Democracy and republicans were told in the 80s to say we are a republic because it sounds more like republican. I thought it would be nice to hear some arguments on the topic so we were all prepared to refute it. I am somewhat new to the politcal arena and much appreciate you letting gratelady know how ridiculous her response was. I do not wish to argue with small, paranoid minds. Thanks sweetpea.

[gratelady1]

Thank you for your reply. I know we are a representative Democracy and republicans were told in the 80s to say we are a republic because it sounds more like republican. I thought it would be nice to hear some arguments on the topic so we were all prepared to refute it. I am somewhat new to the politcal arena and much appreciate you letting gratelady know how ridiculous her response was. I do not wish to argue with small, paranoid minds. Thanks sweetpea.

So in other words- you don t care about the be people of your representative democracy, just that they understand what kind of label you put on it and that they accept it- I dont think you can articulate an answer to my response- because you cannot appreciate why the general public at large are so apathetic to your labels- I say again- what does it matter to someone, what you call your system of government? Why do you think you can call it something or not, and the common man would care- they have been living in this system of government for whatever amount of time they have been here- and aint leaving so- again what is the point of your thread's question/premise?

Are you trying to propogate the fact that the Republicans have control over the labels, and thus control the discourse? :confused:

[snowdog]

well first RoannaM, you may want to understand what it is your talking about.
One of your comments a while back you mentioned Bill Clinton and gave me
the impression that you thought GWB was benifitting from the Clinton era
military buildup.........That was a bit disturbing. I have no clue as to how
old you are.... But its great that you are participating in the political doings
of our country. Please do some research on the subjects that interest you,
NO not just go by the spin that Shaun Hannity, Rush , or Al franken or
Micheal More puts out. but dig down for the truth or at least the FACTS!
Don't worry about Glady1. she knows where she is at in the intellectual
realm of humanity. She is angry that No One pays her no mind. :)

[gratelady1]

You sound old and bitter where as I am young and maybe a bit naive. I think you attacking my intelligence is straight out of the Republican handbook. I asked the question to initiate discussion and to refute Republican talking points Oldlady...I mean gratelady.

The bolded statement is very interesting;

a) Where did I attack your intelligence?- please point it out and be specific.
b) You must present some type of intelligence for me to attack, before you can accuse me of attacking it- thus your premise is the empty set {}.
c) I may be bitter and old- but there is no way you can prove your young on this medium, so what does that matter- again the empty set {}.
d) do you have anything intelligent to add to your own discussion?

[gratelady1]

well first RoannaM, you may want to understand what it is your talking about.
One of your comments a while back you mentioned Bill Clinton and gave me
the impression that you thought GWB was benifitting from the Clinton era
military buildup.........That was a bit disturbing. I have no clue as to how
old you are.... But its great that you are participating in the political doings
of our country. Please do some research on the subjects that interest you,
NO not just go by the spin that Shaun Hannity, Rush , or Al franken or
Micheal More puts out. but dig down for the truth or at least the FACTS!
Don't worry about Glady1. she knows where she is at in the intellectual
realm of humanity. She is angry that No One pays her no mind. :)

Snowhound- leave young roanna to me, she is easy pickens, and you need to go pick on someone your IQ size- like lets say- well you know :p

[snowdog]

Don't be drawn into it RoannaM! its a game Glady1 plays, Like I said just
do some research on different subjects. Remember.... Glady1 is the one
who feels that we should exterminate our Elderely population. That should
tell you all you need to know about ol Glady1

[snowdog]

Snowhound- leave young roanna to me, she is easy pickens, and you need to go pick on someone your IQ size- like lets say- well you know :p


Don't you got some goats to castrate glady1? I am still waiting on your
thoughts on what model M16 to take into battle in Iraq. guess on that one
you went into an area you know nothing about huh? So again, you placed
your foot deeply into your back side.

[gratelady1]

Don't be drawn into it RoannaM! its a game Glady1 plays, Like I said just
do some research on different subjects. Remember.... Glady1 is the one
who feels that we should exterminate our Elderely population. That should
tell you all you need to know about ol Glady1

Prove your statement- if you can?

[snowdog]

I don't "prove " no statement to you Glady1. are you kidding? again,
what model M16 do ya want to take to Iraq?

[gratelady1]

I don't "prove " no statement to you Glady1. are you kidding? again,
what model M16 do ya want to take to Iraq?
Well you just proved to everyone-yet again, that you are not capable of proving a thing, thanks again for re-inforcing my proof of your compete inadequacy to be on any blog. :D

[snowdog]

"The single greatest thing all Americans should do is to tell, if not demand, their grandmas and grandpas to go on and retire, not just from their jobs, but from the political realm, driving etc.. Those that dont allow for contemporary change, are the murderers here, they dont allow for expenditure, revitalization, advancement, or implementation of new safer, healthier ideas." Gratelady1

I can bring up more of your past quotes Glady1 if you want....Now again..
would you please tell me what model of M16 was you thinking about taking
to Iraq? This is about the 6th or 7th time I have inquired. guess you were
just flapping yer jaws again as usual, not having a clue as to what the hell
your talking about !

[gratelady1]

"The single greatest thing all Americans should do is to tell, if not demand, their grandmas and grandpas to go on and retire, not just from their jobs, but from the political realm, driving etc.. Those that dont allow for contemporary change, are the murderers here, they dont allow for expenditure, revitalization, advancement, or implementation of new safer, healthier ideas." Gratelady1

I can bring up more of your past quotes Glady1 if you want....Now again..
would you please tell me what model of M16 was you thinking about taking
to Iraq? This is about the 6th or 7th time I have inquired. guess you were
just flapping yer jaws again as usual, not having a clue as to what the hell
your talking about !

How does your quote of my post equal to your post;

"Don't be drawn into it RoannaM! its a game Glady1 plays, Like I said just
do some research on different subjects. Remember.... Glady1 is the one
who feels that we should exterminate our Elderely population. That should
tell you all you need to know about ol Glady1"

What is this- more of your Paraniod Shcitzo- manifesting itself again, in a last bleak attempt to protect your cognitive mental defenses- yet again?

And I will answer- yet again- the same answer I did originally- but like you always do- you accuse folks of not answering your generic questions- in some inept attempt to make them look questionable- but in fact you dont understand that when you ask a generic question, expect a generic answer.

An M-16 is an M-16- period- if you want a make, and serial number- look it up stupid! Asking for stupid crap like specifics, when it hardly matters compared to actually strapping on a uniform and taking advantage of a serious opportunity to go serve your country and make Bush happy!

But I bet you thought I was just bull-shitting didn't you/ You could never consider an actual response to a serious invitation, to put your lame butt out there!

Thus, why you need to go off on stupid debates about a type of gun- what if it isnt the right gun, you wont go? If the temperature is not adequate, you will argue about that? If the word "camo" if not spelled correctly, you wont sign the dotted line?
What a wimp and a coward you are, you delayed knowing that windows of opportunites, close quickly, so what do you do- stall- argue, deflect attention- what a consumate politician you are- run for President or something, your about as useful!

[sweetpea]

So in other words- you don t care about the be people of your representative democracy, just that they understand what kind of label you put on it and that they accept it- I dont think you can articulate an answer to my response- because you cannot appreciate why the general public at large are so apathetic to your labels- I say again- what does it matter to someone, what you call your system of government? Why do you think you can call it something or not, and the common man would care- they have been living in this system of government for whatever amount of time they have been here- and aint leaving so- again what is the point of your thread's question/premise?

Are you trying to propogate the fact that the Republicans have control over the labels, and thus control the discourse? :confused:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
What response? Your diatribe was not relevant to the question Roanna asked. Further, teh term Democratic Republic is not Roanna's label nor mine. It is a definition roanna was asking.

Find those pills yet?

[RoannaM]

I just want to get clear with you Sweetpea. I am not ashamed that I am new to Politics. I am actively researching as many subjects as possible and combining that with what I do know. There is a lot of info out there and you would think that Gratelady would have encouraged my interest and tried to educate all of us with an actual answer instead of insults. I dont like labels anymore than the next girl but I hear the Republic/Democracy thrown around on both sides and wanted to hear other opinions. I read every book I can get my hands on, read lots of blogs and generally am getting my feet wet in a very big pool. Wanted to be clear to everyone that when i post a question I am more concerned with the TRUTH than just being right or impressing anyone. I am ok humbling myself and asking questions and opinions. Also Gratelady, I want to apologize for calling you Oldlady. I do not want to go to that level of discourse. I will ignore your insults in the future and try to respect your opinions. Also, if you are bitter, the more I learn I understand why.

[MAGI]

Glad you're back Roanna M. Gratelady DOES Stop a lot of conservations with that cynical "know it all attitude". I most times think it's to shut down a person and drive the person away. I have watched this since last May and it doesn't get better.

Best to just avoid conversation and even go so far as to put Gratelady on your ignore list...............

This country needs people who are concerned and searching for what is right. We are in more trouble than I have seen in my entire lifetime. Read and search everything possible and never get to the last page in the final chapter................

[sweetpea]

Roanna,

You don't have to explain yourself to me. Don't let the know it all run you off.

My opinion is that a representative Republic is better than a pure Democracy.

A representative Republic means that minorities are protected and that each state has an equal representation in one body of Congress, There are numerous other distinctions as well. I'm sure you can find them....just don't let cantankerous know it all's sway you or jade your outlook.

[gratelady1]

The reality is this country is a farse, If you think what you name or label a system of government really matters to one who is disaffected by it, then your basically an idealist, and live in a reality too obscure and disconnected from the truth, you should see a psychologist or at least talk with a friend!

If you are able to view the opposite end of the spectrum of your ideals, then you could probably imagine the worse case scenario for that ideal- theorhectically..

For instance (please bare with me for a bit) lets say- I will play the devils' advocate for Pres. Bush... My frist premise- Bush is correct on everything.

We take Iraq and the folks there fight for themselves at some point and a democracy is reinforced, and the whole world rejoices... Wheeeee!!!

He maintains the current tax code and the rich have money to invest and make more money, to make more jobs, and we all get to work for all the money we can get..Wheee again x 2!!!

The Democrats, satisfied at last with this trickle down theory, give up thier long aspired dreams of helping the needy- dont need it anymore- everyone is working, there is peace on earth, and goodwill between all the religons.. Wheee x 3!!!! Whoop!!

Everyone gets thier drugs for free and everyone pays for thier own insurance and retirements, and thus more money for the corporations thus more jobs, thus less unemployment... Wheee..... x 4 square... Oh I love this world!!!!

NO more terrorism, wheeeee!!!!!

Our perfect utopia, finally!!

What do say great aint it?

Well before we start carving out his head on Mt. Rushmore, may I point out one little problem with this- our first premise, which all this is based on- is a false premise- Bush is not right on anything, in fact he has but all admitted the "mistakes that have been made in Iraq", he has been wrong since before we went into Iraq, and the only way he will ever be right about anything, anytime soon, is when he realizes folks like you and me will eventually stop imagining and wake up and see the reality and problems with his idealistic ventures!

My first paragraph, basically put the question back to Roanna and the premise of this thread- unlike popular belief- I dont want to kill this thread or silence opine on it- but before you can continue on this topic- you must first and foremost present a sound- premise of its importance.

Why is the label put on your county important? Especially to the lay-person or common American?- If anyone has an answer?

I could call this a "Peachtree Republic", and it would matter less to anyone, but the root of the premise of this thread is "why the repubs- want to label it a specifc variable?"

Who cares what a Repub calls what? Thats the main problem with our country now- Labels!

[snowdog]

"An M-16 is an M-16- period- if you want a make, and serial number- look it up stupid! Asking for stupid crap like specifics, when it hardly matters compared to actually strapping on a uniform and taking advantage of a serious opportunity to go serve your country and make Bush happy!

But I bet you thought I was just bull-shitting didn't you/ You could never consider an actual response to a serious invitation, to put your lame butt out there!



Thus, why you need to go off on stupid debates about a type of gun- what if it isnt the right gun, you wont go? If the temperature is not adequate, you will argue about that? If the word "camo" if not spelled correctly, you wont sign the dotted line?
What a wimp and a coward you are, you delayed knowing that windows of opportunites, close quickly, so what do you do- stall- argue, deflect attention- what a consumate politician you are- run for President or something, your about as useful!" Greatlady1

LOL........."a serious invitation" Your hilarious glady1

actually Glady1... there are several models of the M16. How much combat
experiences do you have??? I don't mean to add more insult to your thought
process, but IT is important to know what type of weapon would be more in
effective in combat situations. I suggest you do a bit of research on the subject
of US combat arms, and know what the hell your talking about before you spout
off. Anyways.... how much combat experience do you have. GOSH...after all
you served in the US coast Guard. didn't you??? damn, your a fool. My "lame butt" has been shot at more than once in a combat environment you idiot.

[gratelady1]

"An M-16 is an M-16- period- if you want a make, and serial number- look it up stupid! Asking for stupid crap like specifics, when it hardly matters compared to actually strapping on a uniform and taking advantage of a serious opportunity to go serve your country and make Bush happy!

But I bet you thought I was just bull-shitting didn't you/ You could never consider an actual response to a serious invitation, to put your lame butt out there!



Thus, why you need to go off on stupid debates about a type of gun- what if it isnt the right gun, you wont go? If the temperature is not adequate, you will argue about that? If the word "camo" if not spelled correctly, you wont sign the dotted line?
What a wimp and a coward you are, you delayed knowing that windows of opportunites, close quickly, so what do you do- stall- argue, deflect attention- what a consumate politician you are- run for President or something, your about as useful!" Greatlady1

LOL........."a serious invitation" Your hilarious glady1

actually Glady1... there are several models of the M16. How much combat
experiences do you have??? I don't mean to add more insult to your thought
process, but IT is important to know what type of weapon would be more in
effective in combat situations. I suggest you do a bit of research on the subject
of US combat arms, and know what the hell your talking about before you spout
off. Anyways.... how much combat experience do you have. GOSH...after all
you served in the US coast Guard. didn't you??? damn, your a fool. My "lame butt" has been shot at more than once in a combat environment you idiot.

So you still want to argue about what type of weapon is best- when your not even going, because your such a coward- of what relevance is the weapon if you are not going?

If you want the perfect weapon- do like my son, and jump on a Apache- or better yet do like the Airdales and just drop bimbs from a couple miles in space- or like the squids and send a tomahawk over the horizon and never have to look at your proposed possible enemy- but certain victim!

[RoannaM]

Thanks Magi...but I never left. I only have access to the internet a couple times a week. I check in every chance I get. I appreciate all the encouragement. I read a great book over the holiday. "What would Jefferson do?" Very interesting....good "nuts and bolts" reading.

[haus]

I love Thom's book -- it's what turned me on to IRV. :)

[snowdog]

So you still want to argue about what type of weapon is best- when your not even going, because your such a coward- of what relevance is the weapon if you are not going?

If you want the perfect weapon- do like my son, and jump on a Apache- or better yet do like the Airdales and just drop bimbs from a couple miles in space- or like the squids and send a tomahawk over the horizon and never have to look at your proposed possible enemy- but certain victim!


Sorry to dispell your thoughts again you idiot Glady1, but it is a known fact,
that Ohio Class Balistic Missle Subs are by far the most powerful and strategic
weapons known to man. Ya see, I live on a Nuclear sub base. Bangor, Wa.
But by all means, keep them lips flapping, I get a kick outta your rants,
you have no clue as to what the hell your talking about, damn you really make
yourself look stupid.

Whats even more hilarious is YOUR the one who initiated this whole issue,
remember, wanting me and you to go to Iraq with M-16's? what an idiot.

[gratelady1]

Sorry to dispell your thoughts again you idiot Glady1, but it is a known fact,
that Ohio Class Balistic Missle Subs are by far the most powerful and strategic
weapons known to man. Ya see, I live on a Nuclear sub base. Bangor, Wa.
But by all means, keep them lips flapping, I get a kick outta your rants,
you have no clue as to what the hell your talking about, damn you really make
yourself look stupid.

Whats even more hilarious is YOUR the one who initiated this whole issue,
remember, wanting me and you to go to Iraq with M-16's? what an idiot.

I did say "perfect"- meaning for a "conventional warfare", but some ignorants need things explained to them- Your nuclear sub is not perfect- it's just the most deadly- for a nuclear war!

Nice try though at trying to divert attention for your cowardice.