Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Republic vs Democracy

Plato said
“The price of apathy toward public affairs is to be ruled over by evil men"

and Edward Abbey said
“A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.”


Wow. And the fall of the Roman Empire is analogous to the fall of the United States, as well, as far as the underlying reasons go.

We are supposed to be a Republic, not a democracy. It makes me so angry to think that all those years in the public school system did not teach me the difference, and glorified the same Presidents that actually ruined our monetary system. We are paying that bill now, are we not?

In case you are wondering what brought up these subjects, I just finished reading the Republic Magazine, issue 4. (http://www.republicmagazine.com/) You can get a free digital subscription on their site.  I think this magazine should be required reading of all Americans, or at least high school history students. :)

“If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude
greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in
peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick
the hand that feeds you. May your chains set lightly upon you; and
may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”
— Samuel Adams