APRIL
2019		    LOG CABIN CHRONICLES    UPDATED
DAILY
Frank Bernheisel: The View From Here
Frank Bernheisel
spacer
spacer
Frank Bernheisel
 Posted 08.15.16
Just Outside Washington

FRANK BERNHEISEL

American Democracy Betrayed

In the U.S. the federal, state, and local governments are designed to function as representative democracies, except for New England towns, are direct democracies. The U.S. Constitution sets out the structure under which the federal government operates. So what is representative democracy? Definition

    A form of government where the powers of the sovereignty are delegated to a body of men, elected from time to time, who exercise them for the benefit of the whole nation.
    1 Bouv. Inst. n. 31.
    A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.
Some of the country's founders, particularly John Adams, were concerned about the 'tyranny by The Majority' so the U.S. Constitution established government with limited powers to secure for individuals their unalienable rights, as stated in the Declaration of Independence, 'that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -- That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.'

Therefore, the American philosophy and system of government was thus designed by the Founders, equally to prevent, the 'snob-rule' of a governing Elite and the 'mob-rule' of The Majority. This design was to preclude the existence in America of any governmental power capable of being misused so as to violate the individual's rights.

However, in any system, if the People are not paying attention or if they allow themselves to be distracted by minor emotional issues, a determined minority can 'cook the books.'

According to the linked book review, by Elizabeth Drew, that is what has happened to the U.S. system.

Agree with Elizabeth Drew or not, this is worth the read.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2016/08/18/american-democracy-betrayed/
HOME   COLUMNS   FEATURES   FICTION   OPINION   POETRY   PHOTOGRAPHY