We No Longer Live In A Democracy

[Frederick Foresight]

OK, I know it is a republic supposedly, but we no longer have that either. We live in a dictatorship run by our own version of some tinpot Latin American El Presidente and overseen by an occupying army calling itself the federal judiciary.

They ignore laws and our Constitution when it suits them, or issue absurd interpretations. If it happened in Russia or Chile, our media would be up in arms about it. Since they are parrt of El Presidente's cabal however, they applaud it and demand vengeance on anyone who doesn't fall into line.

El Presidente is not the bigger threat. At least for now, we still have elections, even though they are clearly rigged and his thugs viciously attack those who seek to prevent rampant fraud.

The bigger threat is the judiciary. At one time, surprisingly as events have unfolded, they were termed the "least dangerous Branch" by an famed Constitutional scholar, Alexander Bickel. Insulated from popular passions of the day and bound by the clear language of the Constitution, their potential for mischief seemed limited compared to the other two Branches of goveernment.

Now they are the "most dangerous Branch". Unelected and answerable to no one, they are free to impose outlandish policies on We the People, policies that could never have been enacted democratically. They view themselves as a group of Wise Men, responsible for nudging us along the path of enlightenment, a path that they and the elites of our time have chosen.

In truth, they are an abomination to our Constitution and a bigger threat to our freedoms than any terrorist group. They make up supposed constitutional rights out of whole cloth at the demands of this or that group. The gay marriage "decision" is only the latest outrage, although breathtaking in its lawlessness.

The congress has the power to impeach members of the judiciary but it has been rarely used. They also have the right to redraw the courts jurisdiction. The lower federal courts are not required to even exist under the Constitution. A conservative congress and president could abolish the lower federal courts, ie anything below the Supreme Court, terminate all the judges, and start over.

What a pipe dream. Our republican congress cannot even find the backbone to stop a ridiculous health law or address illegal immigration. Grandstanding over flags is more their speed.

It is said that democracies start down the road to ruin when majorities realize they can vote themselves the property of the minority. Sadly, we are well down that particular road. Now the other shoe has dropped. Our judges have realized they can ignore the Constitution and claim it means anything they say, particularly if a rich and powerful group wants it that way.

Except, of course, when you agree with them.

 

[wildchild]

Except, of course, when you agree with them.

Frederick Foreskin, what toilet did you pop out of?

 

[piezoe]

OK, I know it is a republic supposedly, but we no longer have that either. We live in a dictatorship run by our own version of some tinpot Latin American El Presidente and overseen by an occupying army calling itself the federal judiciary.

They ignore laws and our Constitution when it suits them, or issue absurd interpretations. If it happened in Russia or Chile, our media would be up in arms about it. Since they are parrt of El Presidente's cabal however, they applaud it and demand vengeance on anyone who doesn't fall into line.

El Presidente is not the bigger threat. At least for now, we still have elections, even though they are clearly rigged and his thugs viciously attack those who seek to prevent rampant fraud.

The bigger threat is the judiciary. At one time, surprisingly as events have unfolded, they were termed the "least dangerous Branch" by an famed Constitutional scholar, Alexander Bickel. Insulated from popular passions of the day and bound by the clear language of the Constitution, their potential for mischief seemed limited compared to the other two Branches of goveernment.

Now they are the "most dangerous Branch". Unelected and answerable to no one, they are free to impose outlandish policies on We the People, policies that could never have been enacted democratically. They view themselves as a group of Wise Men, responsible for nudging us along the path of enlightenment, a path that they and the elites of our time have chosen.

In truth, they are an abomination to our Constitution and a bigger threat to our freedoms than any terrorist group. They make up supposed constitutional rights out of whole cloth at the demands of this or that group. The gay marriage "decision" is only the latest outrage, although breathtaking in its lawlessness.

The congress has the power to impeach members of the judiciary but it has been rarely used. They also have the right to redraw the courts jurisdiction. The lower federal courts are not required to even exist under the Constitution. A conservative congress and president could abolish the lower federal courts, ie anything below the Supreme Court, terminate all the judges, and start over.

What a pipe dream. Our republican congress cannot even find the backbone to stop a ridiculous health law or address illegal immigration. Grandstanding over flags is more their speed.

It is said that democracies start down the road to ruin when majorities realize they can vote themselves the property of the minority. Sadly, we are well down that particular road. Now the other shoe has dropped. Our judges have realized they can ignore the Constitution and claim it means anything they say, particularly if a rich and powerful group wants it that way.

You wrote your thread title, "We No Longer Live in a Democracy, as though you thought we once did. (I hope there are no impressionable and naive 9th graders reading ET.)

Though the United States is democratic at local and State levels, it has never been much of a democracy at the Federal level. Although, to be fair, there are marginally more democratic elements at the Federal level now than there were when the country was founded. So in that nit-picking sense we are more democratic now than then. Nevertheless I'm astounded when anyone describes my country as a democracy, in clear reference to the federal government. We only elect one of our three branches of government democratically -- the legislative branch. And there, really only half a branch is truly, democratically elected -- the Senate. The house, well who knows how one should describe a house of representatives elected based on partitioning the electorate into sledge hammer and barbell shaped districts decided on how many Republicans or Democrats will fit into the barbell?

None of us can remember when our Senators were chosen by our State's legislature, but isn't it ironic that the only vestige of true, one man/woman, one vote is now the U.S. Senate?

Do you remember when G. Bush the younger used to go around saying we were "democracy building" in IRAQ? Hilarious! I thought he should try it out here first and see if he liked it before foisting it on people he'd never met. I'd guess he wouldn't be much for it until after he was appointed.

Churchill used to say that democracy was the worst kind of government, but far better than any other kind he could think of. Churchill may have been wrong: he muttered those words before India found its full voice. I wouldn't mind trying out a democratic Republic for a while, if anyone is up for experimentation.

 

[wildchild]

I wouldn't mind trying out a democratic Republic for a while, if anyone is up for experimentation.

How would that yield any different result? No matter what system you put in place if you put garbage in, you get garbage out. It would be no different then the cesspool we have now. You will end up with a big sludge pot of undesirables with the Clintons and Bushes taking turns in charge.

 

[BSAM]

OK, I know it is a republic supposedly, but we no longer have that either. We live in a dictatorship run by our own version of some tinpot Latin American El Presidente and overseen by an occupying army calling itself the federal judiciary....

+1

 

[BSAM]

The only remaining question is when will it be 1865 again?
(Back To The Future Pt. 4)

 

[BSAM]

At least for now, we still have elections...

Well, if that's what you wanna call 'em.

 

[BSAM]

The (formerly) United States has made a hard left turn.
We will soon make Greece look like a puppet show.

 

[wildchild]

OK, I know it is a republic supposedly, but we no longer have that either. We live in a dictatorship run by our own version of some tinpot Latin American El Presidente and overseen by an occupying army calling itself the federal judiciary.

They ignore laws and our Constitution when it suits them, or issue absurd interpretations.

The federal judiciary, by no means, has a monopoly on this kind of behavior. Perverting the Constitution seems to be the only thing the two parties agree on.

 

[jem]

correct... they bastards on the hill are no voting on secret bills. can you imagine that? you have have to go into a guarded room to read a trade bill and you can't make a copy of it or bring your notes out of the room.

WTF has happened to these whores on the hill.
How can any member of the media call themselves the 4th estate ever again.

they are Pravda working for cronies.

The federal judiciary, by no means, has a monopoly on this kind of behavior. Perverting the Constitution seems to be the only thing the two parties agree on.