August 12, 2005

An Understatement: The Founding Fathers Hated Democracy
By Doug Newman

TB writes:

"My son and I have a running argument going and I'm hoping you will help me clear this up. He says we are not a democracy but a constitutional republic, and I say we are indeed a democracy. Today the nominee for Supreme Court justice, John Roberts, said he was appreciative for the court's role in this constitutional democracy. Seems like he should know what we are, right? Can you help me explain all of this? And settle the argument?"

TB,

Thanks for writing. In the beginning America was a constitutional republic. Then we degenerated into a democracy. Let me explain.

It would be an understatement to say that the Founding Fathers hated democracy. They warned against it vehemently and relentlessly. They equated it – properly – with mob rule.

Someone far wittier than I once remarked that, in a democracy, two wolves and a sheep take a majority vote on what’s for supper, while in a constitutional republic, the wolves are forbidden on voting on what’s for supper and the sheep are well armed. (Read the rest here)

The Morals of Buying Bonds
By Ed Henry

When an American citizen buys U.S. Treasury securities (treasuries) there are certain implications that most do not seem to consider. It’s a case of loaning money to the federal government, the same government that in one way or another levies taxes on almost all of its citizens, and the same government that with the power granted by the Constitution to establish taxes should have little if any need for loans from people they can tax.

Politicians consider raising taxes a threat to their positions. They all want to promise tax cuts, not tax increases. None of them want to even mention the idea of increasing taxes of any sort unless it can be done on the sly without the public noticing or caring much. For example, few realize that payroll taxes have been increased each of the last five years simply by raising the “cap” from $80,400 to $90,000 and when President Bush claims that he will not raise these taxes; no one calls him on the fact that he’s already done it every year he’s been in office. (Read the rest here)

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Libertarian Commentary on The News
By Nathan A. Barton © 2005

As I mention every time I do this, I don't often comment on commentary, but today I start off with a quote from Lady Liberty, in Liberty For All:

"If Americans really want to be safer from terrorists, they don't need to give up their liberty. Instead, they need to stop cowering behind their government nanny and demand that the most effective possible measures be taken. That means border control. That means armed pilots. That means checking people who match suspect descriptions no matter where they fall in the ticket lines. But most of all, it means refusing to let fear steal our freedom via a government that preys on that fear, and to muster enough courage to appreciate that freedom in and of itself entails some risk.

"To do anything less means that, even without another attack, the terrorists get what they want. If we're really fighting a war against terror, shouldn't we at least try to win? (Be sure to read her whole article.)

Mama's Note: This was published at The Price of Liberty on July 20, 2005. Worth reading again! (Read the rest here)

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