The US is not a democracy · 8:28pm Jun 9th, 2013
I want to clear up a misconception. For those of you who like to say that "The US is a democracy, and the government should listen to us", I have news for you. The United States, Canada, Great Britain, France, Spain, South Korea... none of these countries are democracies. So please stop saying they are.
These nations are actually republics, and there is a major difference between a democracy and a republic. In a democracy, majority always rules. In a republic, the law, or constitution in this case, rules. Let's see how this difference applies.
The people of Orangestate vote 50:2 to confiscate all the guns in town after a slew of shootings. In a democracy, this is a clear majority win, and so all the guns are confiscated. In a republic, however, the 2nd amendment overrules the democratic vote, meaning those guns can't be taken away.
Hope that cleared it up. Longer posts will come soon.
Wait people actually think the US is a full democracy?
1134518 Ikr? It was bought and sold a long time ago.
1134585
What the hell does that mean?
1134748 Corporations really run everything.
1134771 Debatable - but without corporations, you, or we, (I'm Canadian), wouldn't have a capitalist nation.
I think you misunderstand the concept of a corporation, and the concept of a free market. Remember, "corporation" isn't the same as "multinational corporation". Literally anyone can have their business incorporated - Hasbro, Shell, and Disney are examples of multinational corporations, but that family-owned dry cleaner's, or local diner, is probably also incorporated.
Additionally, democracy can't simply be "bought" by the "corporations" because "the corporation" is not a single entity. There are millions of them, including the ACLU, Greenpeace, The Red Cross, etc. Every single one has a different management and different goals.
Also, what trekee meant is that people think that the US is a democracy, when it isn't; it's a republic, as I posted above. It wasn't bought and sold because you never had one in the first place.
1135030 They own the Congressmen thanks to bribes and kickbacks. Anything that would hurt them won't happen. Like how the privately owned prisons, all if not most of them are, won't let the US pass any pro drug laws because thanks to those laws they get more inmates and therefore more money. Or how the oil companies are keeping as tight a grip as they can so alternative sources of fuel won't have the amount of funding they need and they'll keep getting tax deductions as well thanks to the bribes and kickbacks.
1135039 There is no "they", so please stop saying that. It's true that certain corporations do what is in their best interests; of course they do! That's their job. To keep themselves afloat.
Now, the issue of corporate buying of elections is something else altogether; but you know what? It's called freedom of speech. Just like you can stand on a corner and hold up posters supporting your favorite candidate, a company can contribute funds to advertise for their candidate. And don't ignore the dozens of extremely powerful lobby groups on the other side of the spectrum.
As for tax deductions for oil companies... yes, they're getting tax deductions, and for a good reason. Their current taxes are ridiculously high. Near fifty percent, actually, so if they get a 5% break, they'll still be paying 5-10 times more then you will by percentages.
Btw, if you want to blame someone for high gas prices, blame taxation.
1135030 If you want to be really technical, a republic is a form of representative democracy, which is a form of democracy. It is not a direct democracy, which is, unfortunately, what many people think of.
1134771 Well duh!
Where the hell do you think the economy and in turn the government would go without corporations? And besides they can't control the government, all the government has to do is send in a few SWAT teams and take out the corporations HQ.
Silly MetaKnight
As a citizen of the United States, I have to point out the US is a democracy, just not a full one. It is a REPRESENTATIVE Democracy, run by political parties chosen by the people. While the constitution does run the land for the most part, it was made to be adaptable. That is why there are amendments. In addition, if enough people sign petitions stating that a law or amendment either:
A: Is not constitutional.
B: Goes against basic human rights.
C: Is not in the interest of the greater good.
So therefore, if enough American citizens believed the 2nd Amendment (The right to keep and bear arms) was not in the interest of the common good, they could petition to have it removed from the constitution. This would then be put on the ballot to be decided whether it should be kept, or removed.
So ultimately, the United States IS a democracy, just not a full democracy.
1135124 If enough people vote in a referendum, that's true, but my example was of just one, small town. If everyone in the town wanted to confiscate guns, the municipal government still couldn't because it would violate the 2nd amendment.
1135127
That's just the ladder. Here's how it works:
1. Constitution
2. Federal Government
3. State Government
4. Local Government
A lower rung cannot violate a law set by one higher up, which is why the example you explained occurs.
An example is the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which is a Federal Law. Because of this law, state-held segregated bus stations and diners are illegal.
The same applies to your example. This town cannot outlaw owning firearms because this would violate the higher positioned 2nd Amendment, a constitutional right. This is why the gun control cannot be passed, the 2nd Amendment rules it unconstitutional, and therefore, illegal.
1135153 It seems like we both agree with each other, so I'm not sure why we're arguing
Although I hold a different position for gun control, let's not go there. I'm Canadian.
switzerland is the worlds only true democracy
Actually, the United States is a Constitutional Republic.