On the absurdity of "We are not a democracy, we are a constitutional Republic"

[orangecrush]

Fascist talking point debunked.

?si=F3A0nob9S-bUYjfe

[Joinfortmill]

1. Amen brother.

[Srkdqltr]

2. What is the difference?

[Igel]

22. When a lot of people say "democracy" they used to mean "direct democracy."

Or "everybody's equally represented, however you slice the demographics."

Neither is true.

But a constitutional republic is a type of democracy. You just have to figure out what people mean when they speak, and that can be a challenge.

(I've also heard people say that just because you have elections, it's not a democracy--you have to have the right 'values'. That's also just as wrong as the "we don't have democracy" types. They typically mean a "liberal democracy" or a "progressive democracy".)

[Srkdqltr]

23. But if you ask the people who are saying this. I wonder if they know. Question to ask is what is the difference?

I would bet most have no answer.

[MaineBlueBear]

3. I don't have a dog!

I have a cocker spaniel!

It's as dumb as that.

[Mossfern]

6. That just makes it

so much more simple and clear.
It's a perfect response.

[duhneece]

8. I like it, I like it nt

[twodogsbarking]

4. For more than fifty years I have been saying we are a military and an economy and no longer a society.

Got me in trouble many times in HS for saying it. At home too. Never learned to stop saying it. Stubborn.

[mwooldri]

5. People confuse "how" and "what"

Yes the USA is a constitutional republic. It chooses its leaders in this republic via a form of representative democracy.

The UK is a constitutional monarchy. It for the most part chooses its leaders in that country via a form of representative democracy. Most part, because some leaders are chosen by appointment (I'm talking about the House of Lords, which is not democratically elected at all).

I don't hear people saying the UK isn't a democracy. On paper, the US is more democratic than the UK.

[duhneece]

7. I've heard this from county commissioners, county attorney and Republicans

….so many times I can’t count.
“This semantic sleight of hand…” Great phrase to begin my response.

[orangecrush]

10. This guy sticks a pin in that bullshit

[duhneece]

15. Now if I can quit being tongue-tied when I hear it next time

I plan to hear this multiple times.

[orangecrush]

17. Glad to help!

[vanlassie]

19. It's just a phrase they picked up because

they think it makes them sound smart. It’s gibberish, and they might as well be wearing a dunce cap.

[SCantiGOP]

9. That is like saying that

The large, woody plant in my front yard is not a tree, it’s an oak.
The argument is popular because one aspect of a democracy is that citizens vote for their representatives, while categorizing it as a Constitutional Republicans means you can restrict voting (see Ancient Greece and Rome, the US before the post-Civil War era, etc.)

[orangecrush]

11. "America isn't a democracy"

As soon as I hear that, I know I'm dealing with a MAGAT.

[JustAnotherGen]

12. They say that because

They are freaking idiots and associated a party name with a form of government. I hate them.

[Zackzzzz]

13. For years I have been saying

We live in a capitalist society.

[Marcuse]

14. The United States Senate and the Electoral College are constitutional compromises against democracy.

[ZDU]

16. Abolish the Electoral College

Antiquated yet extremely effective to keep those ruled over... down at heel, begging for attention and fairness

[WarGamer]

18. This is not a Tamale... this is Mexican food!!!!!!!!

[SalviaBlue]

20. I learned a new term that I will add to my vocabulary:

Anti Democractic Fundamentalist

It’s a perfect description.

[SalviaBlue]

21. I learned a new term that I will add to my vocabulary:

Anti Democractic Fundamentalist

It’s a perfect description.

[Initech]

24. The people who claim that we're a "constitutional republic" don't know the first thing about the constitution.