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WILLIAMS: Democracy and majority rule? Constitutional barriers to tyranny by another name
The Washington Times ^ | April 18, 2009 | Walter E. Williams

Posted on 04/18/2009 2:14:13 AM PDT by Scanian

Democracy and majority rule give an aura of legitimacy to acts that otherwise would be deemed tyranny. Think about it. How many decisions in our day-to-day lives would we like to have made through majority rule or the democratic process? How about the decision whether you should watch a football game on television or "Law & Order"?

What about whether you drive a Chevrolet or a Ford, or whether your Easter dinner was turkey or ham? Were such decisions made in the political arena, most of us would deem it tyranny. Why isn't it also tyranny for the democratic process to mandate what type of light bulbs we use, how many gallons of water it takes to flush toilets or whether money should be taken out of our paychecks for retirement?

The Founders of our nation held a deep abhorrence for democracy and majority rule. In Federalist Paper No. 10, James Madison wrote, "Measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority." John Adams predicted, "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: democracy; founders; majorityrule; tyranny; walterwilliams
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1 posted on 04/18/2009 2:14:13 AM PDT by Scanian
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To: Scanian

Here. Educate ‘em.

The video is a description of the 5 supposed forms of government, from 100% government control (Communism, facism, totalitarianism etc) to 0% government (anarchy) it obliteraties all forms of government as only temporary and futile except for 2, olgiarchy and republic. It does this in a clear concise manner, which effectively shows even a grade schooler about them. It then, in the last few moments, explains Rome, its beginning as a republic, and its morph into a democracy. The parallels are well put, and clearly where this country is today. It is an excellent way to spread the word to those who have never been taught proper history, and that is alot of people since they have been re writing it for so long now.

I have been posting this sucker all over all day, and sometimes I forget that some are stuck at work, so I have included the above basic description of the video, however it does not do the video justice. I beg, implore and urge all to view it who have not. THIS is the reason we are so angry. Taxes are a symptom, losing our republic is the disease!!!!!

http://www.marchforliberty.org/multimedialinks.html


2 posted on 04/18/2009 2:21:16 AM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: Scanian

somebody’s read Mark Levin’s book...

(definitely recommend it)


3 posted on 04/18/2009 2:35:48 AM PDT by sten
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To: Scanian

We now have a majority in this country who thinks it is not only moral to take peoples labor and property but that it is their right to do so. The ends justify the means.

The country is lost. It is lost because its people who are the majority and are ultimately it’s guarantors of liberty and justice no longer know what those words mean.


4 posted on 04/18/2009 3:49:32 AM PDT by DB
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To: DB

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEnaAZrYqQI


5 posted on 04/18/2009 4:39:30 AM PDT by danamco
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To: Scanian

BUMP


6 posted on 04/18/2009 4:58:46 AM PDT by GoLightly
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To: wombtotomb

Thank you.


7 posted on 04/18/2009 5:27:24 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you. Ben Franklin)
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To: Scanian; Calm_Cool_and_Elected

ping for later


8 posted on 04/18/2009 5:58:10 AM PDT by Calm_Cool_and_Elected (So many books, so little time!)
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To: DJ MacWoW

My absolute pleasure! Please send it forth into the great silent majority!! Thanks for viewing it!!


9 posted on 04/18/2009 6:23:45 AM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: wombtotomb

Emailed it out right after viewing. :-D


10 posted on 04/18/2009 6:33:58 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you. Ben Franklin)
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To: DJ MacWoW

awesome! xoxo


11 posted on 04/18/2009 6:36:15 AM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: wombtotomb

You should post this as a vanity. It should read “Email: Disseminate video on types of Government” or some such but it should state that it’s info to go viral.


12 posted on 04/18/2009 6:53:42 AM PDT by DJ MacWoW (Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you. Ben Franklin)
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To: DB

“Today’s Americans think Congress has the constitutional authority to do anything upon which it can get a majority vote.

We think whether a particular measure is a good idea or bad idea should determine passage, as opposed to whether that measure lies within the enumerated powers granted to Congress by the Constitution. Unfortunately for the future of our nation, Congress has successfully exploited American constitutional ignorance or contempt. “

SOME people do, not all.


13 posted on 04/18/2009 7:07:02 AM PDT by patton (I hope that they fight to the death and both sides win.)
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To: DJ MacWoW

I did post it yesterday, but did not get many hits or replys. I figured I would do it this way, and see if a better response. So far its been overwhelming, as I am only posting it in relevant threads. I would welcome anyone who wants to to PLEASE go ahead and post it as a vanity, work on the viral thing. I guess my post wasn’t “grabby” enough to get many people in. Anyone interested??? Thanks for viewing!!!!!!


14 posted on 04/18/2009 7:08:27 AM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: wombtotomb

Darn good clip, that. But isn’t a republic also a transient form of government?


15 posted on 04/18/2009 7:20:19 AM PDT by patton (I hope that they fight to the death and both sides win.)
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To: patton

only if, as Ben put it, we can’t keep it..........


16 posted on 04/18/2009 7:21:55 AM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: Scanian

What we have is party rule.


17 posted on 04/18/2009 7:23:30 AM PDT by Glenn (Free Venezuela!)
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To: wombtotomb

...and that he said that was a hint.


18 posted on 04/18/2009 7:23:53 AM PDT by patton (I hope that they fight to the death and both sides win.)
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To: patton

with that qualifier, even an oligarchy is transient. No form could be otherwise since all could be overthrown at some point. The republic and oligarchy are the 2 that I guess have the best shot at not being overthrown.......


19 posted on 04/18/2009 7:59:47 AM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: wombtotomb

Yep - but oligarchies are usually just replaced with a new set of crooks at the top.

Which, if you will pardon the pun, makes “oligarchy” an absorbing state in a Markov process...

Sigh.


20 posted on 04/18/2009 8:03:11 AM PDT by patton (I hope that they fight to the death and both sides win.)
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