Free Republic

You have been disproved over and over, you know it too.

Next time, when you insist USA is a Republic, not a Democracy, don't bomb other countries, kill millions of others including Christians to pretend to bring "democracy" to others.

Keep your "Republic" ball to yourself... if you can.

oh.... so, Philman_36, you’re telling me USA is not a Democracy, but a Republic, right? I’ve been wrong throughout in my comments in this thread?

Thanks. Good link at #20 too - “The Pazyryk culture is a Scythian[1]” - also known as Scyth, Saka, Sakae, Sacae, Sai, Iskuzai, or Askuzai, were a large group of Iranian[1][2][3][4].

Actually, the Achaemenid culture was very much influenced by Pazyryk (Scythians). You can still see the influence in tapestry and artforms in a few Southern “Stans” bordering Russia, Iran and parts of Eurasia.

Voodoo? How bizarre... :/

>>”In light of what is happening in the EU, it might be easy to pick up some new NATO members. I am pretty sure he has thought of that.”<<

Unsure if it’d be easy, short-term. But definitely a good move to pick up new members medium to long-term.

Yes, April 16 is the date. 18 proposed amendments to the current constitution of Turkey.

I am disappointed Trump is not completely revisiting NATO. At present, as far as I’ve gathered, he is mainly looking at NATO member states increasing their $ contribution to NATO’s military cost.

>>”Erdogan thinks he is God. That usually does not work out very well.”<<

Lol.

Seriously, why is Turkey still in NATO?

Does the US want Islamist governments in NATO?

“Still don’t see a response.”

I understood you were unwilling to accept what was said, and still are grasping at straws to save face.

If not, then learn to read, absorb written information, and improve your comprehension skills. End of discussion.

Only if the Kurds could be in NATO, and Turkey removed from NATO. Maybe not...Kurds are a proxy anyway, not a country.. Anyway... since both are supposedly or actually muslims, we could have options.

What a gas!

Is that a question or a statement?

A question when a question mark(?) at the end of my above sentence in bold :)

Aaaaaanyway...only 3 returns on Federal Republic and the other 2 do have Constitutions.

Thanks. Which country in your link was officially designated a Federal Republic without a constitution? I can't find it & am curious.

However, even they cite the US as a constitutional federal republic and is the only one listed as such. Why do you think that is so?

Just because they list it as such doesn't mean the US is the only (Constitutional) Federal Republic.

A "Constitutional Republic" label (on its own), you had insisted, is a broad term too; slightly less so than a "Republic". There are many "Constitutional Republics" - not all are "Federal Republics" too. See my post #88.

Now, you show me where a Federal Republic has to have a Constitution.

By definition and inherently, a Federal Republic is a form of government made up of a federal state with (or according to) a constitution, which include self-governing subunits (state governments) -- a constitution is a given (typically a basic fact, or, at least an accurate assumption). See #87.

Give me an example of a country today which is officially known as a Federal Republic and has no constitution?

"A majority vote in the House or Senate does not a democracy make."

Read my post #87 again regarding the term "democracy" and its modern definition. Clue: It does Not specify "majority vote".

If you still don't understand, or unwilling to accept as it is clearly apparent, then end of discussion.

And, to label the US a "Constitutional Republic", as you had insisted & stated, is/was incorrect and incomplete.

At minimum, your label does not differentiate between the US and other forms of "Constitutional Republics".

The US is a Federal Republic, according to its constitution, and, a democracy.

>>>”You’re proving my point.”<<<

Hopefully you get what I’ve said throughout. This discussion started with Republic vs. Democracy definition, in this thread.

Furthermore, the US is equally a democracy as discussed in this thread and the other linked FR thread in #87.

But, your insistence the US is a “Constitutional Republic” is at best incomplete.

There are many “Constitutional Republics” - Iran, Republic of Ireland and France are examples. There are many more. Not all are “Federal Republics” and (true) representative democracies at the same time, as the US is.

The correct and official term to use for the US is “Federal Republic” - naturally with a very democratic Constitution which specifies & qualifies the aforementioned designation.

It really isn't hard to do some research even online and find out, instead of convolution & constantly moving in circles, philman_36.

Definition of a Federal Republic:

"The United States is a federal republic [as opposed to a Unitary Republic] in which the president, Congress, and federal courts share powers reserved to the national government according to its Constitution. At the same time, the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments." -- here

Then why is there representation instead of direct voting in the Constitution?

Per my original comment in #28 - A democracy means:

“a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.”

Isn't direct voting THE hallmark of a democracy?

From another FR thread to which you pinged me, post 19 -- ”What differentiates us is that we are democratic, in the Jeffersonian sense of all citizens being equal, and government coming from the consent of the governed. That’s how “democracy” is used in today’s English, not a reference to Athens style direct majority rule. That’s how Scalia used it, and how I use it. Arguing that “we are not a democracy, we are a republic” just confuses things.”

Fine.
Goodbye.

>>>”that’s how “democracy” is used in today’s English, not a reference to Athens style direct majority rule. ......... Arguing that “we are not a democracy, we are a republic” just confuses things.”<<<

Spot on.
Good to read clear thinking.

>>>”The USSR was a constitutional republic too. So is Iran. But they aren’t democratic because the people have no real say in who they get to choose from to represent them.”<<<

Iran today has a Constitution too. BUT, the constitution is an Islamic Republic. It depends on the SPECIFIC CONTENT of a given CONSTITUTION.

The Constitution of today’s Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) :

1) Combines religion with politics. Specifically, a 12er Shia Jaafari Sect.

2) You must belong to the above mentioned Shia sect to be able to be nominated as the Head of State (Supreme Leader), and be elected as a President (currently, Rouhani).

Hence, the Islamic Republic of Iran today is a THEOCRATIC government, with semblance of Democracy.

It means, although Iranian citizens can vote, elect government representatives, have freedom of assembly, rule of (sharia) law, freedom of religion (to a limited & specific degree), and freedom of speech, these freedoms are ALL strictly within the confines of an Islamic Theocracy.

OTOH, the US Constitution is a (Secular) democratic one (separation of religion from state). That is the main difference.

Thanks to Philman_36 for pinging me here from another related discussion and thread.

Below was my second last reply regarding USA, Republic and Democracy issue in another thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/3528891/posts?page=83#83

Read this from an official USA government website: http://iipdigital.usembassy.gov/st/english/publication/2008/06/20080628202248eaifas0.9543421.html#axzz4a95mNdN8

Quoted excerpt (from last link):

“Similarities and Differences Between the U.S. System of Government and Other Forms of Democratic Government
As a constitutional federal republic, the United States is not unique. Many “democracies” are in fact constitutional republics, and share with the United States long traditions of democratic representation, the rule of law, and constitutional protections.”

The US is a Federal Republic with a Constitution. That’s the system of government for the US. And, the US Constitution has ALL aspects and elements of a democracy.

A Federal Republic with a Constitution (such as the U.S.) does not mean the same is not a ‘democracy’, or preclude it from being a ‘democracy’, or having ‘democratic elements’ within it, as the U.S. does.

In sum, the US is officially a Federal Republic with a Constitution which is very democratic - hence, in principles, USA is a DEMOCRACY (in action), as the Founding Fathers envisioned. The US Constitution is how those Democratic Principles are applied, specifically, in the form of Bill of Rights (Constitutional protection).

Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn what you think.