On the absurdity of "We are not a democracy, we are a constitutional Republic"

[orangecrush]

Fascist talking point debunked.

?si=F3A0nob9S-bUYjfe

[Joinfortmill]

1. Amen brother.

[Srkdqltr]

2. What is the difference?

[Igel]

22. When a lot of people say "democracy" they used to mean "direct democracy."

Or "everybody's equally represented, however you slice the demographics."

Neither is true.

But a constitutional republic is a type of democracy. You just have to figure out what people mean when they speak, and that can be a challenge.

(I've also heard people say that just because you have elections, it's not a democracy--you have to have the right 'values'. That's also just as wrong as the "we don't have democracy" types. They typically mean a "liberal democracy" or a "progressive democracy".)

[Srkdqltr]

23. But if you ask the people who are saying this. I wonder if they know. Question to ask is what is the difference?

I would bet most have no answer.

[MaineBlueBear]

3. I don't have a dog!

I have a cocker spaniel!

It's as dumb as that.

[Mossfern]

6. That just makes it

so much more simple and clear.
It's a perfect response.

[duhneece]

8. I like it, I like it nt

[twodogsbarking]

4. For more than fifty years I have been saying we are a military and an economy and no longer a society.

Got me in trouble many times in HS for saying it. At home too. Never learned to stop saying it. Stubborn.

[mwooldri]

5. People confuse "how" and "what"

Yes the USA is a constitutional republic. It chooses its leaders in this republic via a form of representative democracy.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. It for the most part chooses its leaders in that country via a form of representative democracy. Most part, because some leaders are chosen by appointment (I'm talking about the House of Lords, which is not democratically elected at all).

I don't hear people saying the UK isn't a democracy. On paper, the US is more democratic than the UK.

[duhneece]

7. I've heard this from county commissioners, county attorney and Republicans

….so many times I can’t count.
“This semantic sleight of hand…” Great phrase to begin my response.

[orangecrush]

10. This guy sticks a pin in that bullshit

[duhneece]

15. Now if I can quit being tongue-tied when I hear it next time

I plan to hear this multiple times.

[orangecrush]

17. Glad to help!

[vanlassie]

19. It's just a phrase they picked up because

they think it makes them sound smart. It’s gibberish, and they might as well be wearing a dunce cap.

[SCantiGOP]

9. That is like saying that

The large, woody plant in my front yard is not a tree, it’s an oak.
The argument is popular because one aspect of a democracy is that citizens vote for their representatives, while categorizing it as a Constitutional Republicans means you can restrict voting (see Ancient Greece and Rome, the US before the post-Civil War era, etc.)

[orangecrush]

11. "America isn't a democracy"

As soon as I hear that, I know I'm dealing with a MAGAT.

[Noodleboy13]

26. Yup. It's a tell. It's like the phrase "Nancy Pelosi".

Someone goes ballistic about her being a bitch, etc. You know where they get their information. I'm basically a North Shore ols skool socialist from MN, and I don't give a shit about Pelosi. Neither does 80% of America. She seems to be doing a good job. Been around forever. Other than that I don't care. It's like when Republicans accuse Democrats of some nefarious evil, well they just told you they're engaged in the exact same thing. It's a pattern. This all revolves aroung Turing's ideas on Information Theory.

Peace,
Noodleboy

[JustAnotherGen]

12. They say that because

They are freaking idiots and associated a party name with a form of government. I hate them.

[Zackzzzz]

13. For years I have been saying

We live in a capitalist society.

[Marcuse]

14. The United States Senate and the Electoral College are constitutional compromises against democracy.

[ZDU]

16. Abolish the Electoral College

Antiquated yet extremely effective to keep those ruled over... down at heel, begging for attention and fairness

[WarGamer]

18. This is not a Tamale... this is Mexican food!!!!!!!!

[SalviaBlue]

20. I learned a new term that I will add to my vocabulary:

Anti Democractic Fundamentalist

It’s a perfect description.

[SalviaBlue]

21. I learned a new term that I will add to my vocabulary:

Anti Democractic Fundamentalist

It’s a perfect description.

[Initech]

24. The people who claim that we're a "constitutional republic" don't know the first thing about the constitution.

[orangecrush]

25. They think that ends the conversation

Ive heard that load of crap many times.

[ILikePie92]

27. It's like hearing a MAGAt say....

"I'd never buy a Chrysler."
Then you ask, "What kind of vehicle do you drive?"
Their answer, "A Dodge"
"Well then, you bought a Chrysler you MAGAt, dipshit, moron."

[Freddie]

28. It's a high-falutin' excuse

For the continued existence of the Electoral College.

[Metaphorical]

29. I use the following:

Republic - from Latin Res Publica, meaning Government of the People.
Democracy - from Greek Demos (People) + Cratia (Rule, Government) meaning Government of the People.

Another useful distinction - Head of the Government (sets policy) vs Head of State (represents the country).

In the US, the President is both the Head of the Government and Head of State. The US is a Executive centered Representative Democracy.
In the UK, the Prime Minister is the (unelected) Head of the Government as the leader of the dominant party in parliament, while the King or Queen is Head of State. The UK is a Parliamentary Monarchy.

MAGAts are idiots.