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SoftBonds -> RE: Texas Twisters: Conservatives Rewrite History for its Schoolchildren (4/26/2012 12:45:59 AM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: lovmuffin
quote:
ORIGINAL: kalikshama
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The board removed the word "democratic" in references to the form of U.S. government, opting instead to call it a "constitutional republic."
Some one correct me if I'm wrong but I thought we were a constitutional republic.
Arguably correct, Federalist republic is probably closer. We are in no sense a democracy, or the vote of a Californian would have the same effect on who the next president is as the vote of a Alaskan or Wyoming-ian. That being said, the Democratic-Republic party (shortened to Democratic party) was always trying to extend the franchise, and got folks who didn't own land added during Adams Jr's term I believe.
Democracy: One person, one vote.
Republic: government by representatives of the people.
Federalism: Government by states (e.g. 2 senators per state, regardless of how many people they represent).
Constitutional government: Government constrained by a constitution.
Sovereign: Government which does not answer to another state.
Feel free to correct/argue with my off-the-cuff definitions, but my point is that most folks don't think much about these terms...
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