Republic vs. Democracy

There is a great deal of reference by the mass media and sadly, even by many of our elected officials to 'our democracy' or 'this democracy' when referring to our government. The Founding Fathers of our nation wisely established a Republic, not a Democracy, and there are many important differences.

The differences can be debated and argued in many ways but the best and simplest definition was printed in The Soldiers Training Manual issued by the United States War Department, November 30, 1928. These definitions were published by the authority of the United States Government and are accepted as authentic in any court of proper jurisdiction. These precise and scholarly definitions of a Democracy and a Republic were carefully considered as a proper guide for U.S. soldiers and U.S. citizens by the Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

Shortly after in the 1930's, orders from the Franklin Delano Roosevelt administration suddenly demanded that all copies of this book (Training Manual 2000-25) be withdrawn from the Government Printing Office and the Army posts, to be suppressed and destroyed without explanation.

Here are two definitions included in it:

TM 2000-25: 118-120
Democracy: A government of the masses. Authority is derived through mass meeting or any other form of direct expression. Results in mobocracy. Attitude toward property is communistic, negating property rights. Attitude toward law is that the will of the people shall regulate, whether it be based upon deliberation, or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences. Results in demagoguery , license, agitation, discontent, and anarch.

TM 2000-25:120-121
Republic: Authority is derived through election by the people of public officials best fitted to represent them. Attitude toward property is respect for laws and individual rights, and a sensible economic procedure. Attitude toward law is the administration of justice in accord with fixed principles, and established evidence, with a strict regard to consequences. A greater number of citizens and extent of territory may be brought within its compass. Avoids the dangerous extreme of either tyranny or mobocracy. Results in statesmanship, liberty, reason, justice, contentment, and progress.

With this little look into the facts', re-read Romans 13 and you'll see the biggest problem in the minds of most Americans - believers and non-believers alike: The only authority above we, the people, is God. Beneath us is the Consitution which is to protect us from our public servants.

Many of F.D.R.'s policies were suggested by his right hand man, Harry Hopkins, who said,
"Tax and Tax, Spend and Spend, Elect and Elect, because the people are too damn dumb to know the difference".