Survey Finds Students Ignorant Of Basic First Amendment Rights

GOP USA ^ | 01.01.05 | Jimmy Moore

[Coleus]

In a democracy the MOB rules, whether it's a lynch mob, a monarchy or a communist oligarchy. The individual doesn't matter. The USA is NOT or Never will be a democracy.

[Walkenfree]

Taking your dare on finding any President prior to 1900, mentioning the word "Democracy" in any speech or writing.
It may take a while for the proof, but others may assist.
I recall Jackson instituted greater "Democracy"in elections around 1832. He wrote it and he spoke it, now all I have to do is find it. "I'll be back."

[bahhumbug]

I don't take much comfort that this is evidence of public school failure. Apparently the study included private school students -- in fact, I think they were overrepresented in the sample. This is problem for the whole country, including the adults. As someone said, there's also a difference between whether they know about the First Amendment, which they may, or they value it, which they apparently don't. Democracy or republic or mix of the two, if we neglect our liberties, it's done for.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

How about 2nd amendment rights?!

[mwilli20]

In a democracy the MOB rules, whether it's a lynch mob, a monarchy or a communist oligarchy.

Sorry, a democracy is simple majority rule
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This is not a matter of opinion but rather of definition. The word democracy is defined in 3 dictionaries I consulted as "Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives"

It may very well be that during the time the Federalist Papers were written democracy only meant direct involvement by the people, and the definition has recently been expanded to include the elected representatives. All that matters is what it means today.

So, until you and me lead a literary revolution, conquer the main dictionary publishing houses and change the definition, WE ARE A DEMOCRACY.

[Coleus]

Right, in a democracy you can still elect sadaam and the secretary general of the Communist party in the USSR yet there are no guarantees the "individual" will have the same rights as those in power. A Constitutional Republic does, a democracy does not.

[Hadean]

As I've always understood it, we are a Democracy on the local levels, and a Republic Nationally.