Ten men ride out in pursuit of a thief and catch him. Six of the ten vote to execute him on the spot, and they do. That's democracy.

Same example but just before the execution the sheriff rides up and takes the thief into custody so he can be tried and, if convicted, sentenced according to the law. That's a republic.

We consciously elevated the rule of law above the rule of the majority because it's the only way to ensure the government does the most fundamental thing it exists to do according to our founders: secure the fundamental rights inherent in every person, whether they are a member of the majority or not.

People who argue for majority rule are either ignorant of the consequences or, more commonly, believe the group is more sovereign than the individual.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Jallen, thanks for sharing. I chalk it up to political manipulation. One group wants to tilt things in their favor, so they manipulate folks into disassembling the mechanism that the founding fathers put in place to keep things balanced. It had gone the other way, Hilary would have been applauding the electoral college.

It's kind of like when folks talked about abolishing Grand Juries, not realizing that grand juries help prevent predatory prosecutions.

That is a tactic frequently tried by those upset by some outcome, but not really understanding the structure of our system.

Maybe like someone doing a “fix and flip” show without understanding which walls are load bearing.

Upset by 9th Circuit decision? Get rid of the 9th Circuit. Too much spent on aid to some 3rd world shithole? Get rid of foreign aid. Tired of scofflaws thumbing their noses at laws and getting off scot free? Get rid of juries, defense lawyers, just get a rope.

Mostly just ignorant steam blowing, occasionally entertaining but now and then a bit worrying.

I agree completely.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Jallen, thanks for sharing. I chalk it up to political manipulation. One group wants to tilt things in their favor, so they manipulate folks into disassembling the mechanism that the founding fathers put in place to keep things balanced. It had gone the other way, Hilary would have been applauding the electoral college.

It's kind of like when folks talked about abolishing Grand Juries, not realizing that grand juries help prevent predatory prosecutions.

That is a tactic frequently tried by those upset by some outcome, but not really understanding the structure of our system.

Maybe like someone doing a “fix and flip” show without understanding which walls are load bearing.

Upset by 9th Circuit decision? Get rid of the 9th Circuit. Too much spent on aid to some 3rd world shithole? Get rid of foreign aid. Tired of scofflaws thumbing their noses at laws and getting off scot free? Get rid of juries, defense lawyers, just get a rope.

Mostly just ignorant steam blowing, occasionally entertaining but now and then a bit worrying.

It is taught at Hillsdale college in Mi. All students must have 4 yrs. studying the Constitution and must pass strict tests at the end of those 4 yrs. Hillsdale offers for free classes online covering the Constitution. They also offer for free monthly news letters, just e-mail them and ask. I have been receiving them for years and have them in several binders for reference.

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:

quote:

Originally posted by CD228:
Jallen, thanks for sharing. I chalk it up to political manipulation. One group wants to tilt things in their favor, so they manipulate folks into disassembling the mechanism that the founding fathers put in place to keep things balanced. It had gone the other way, Hilary would have been applauding the electoral college.

It's kind of like when folks talked about abolishing Grand Juries, not realizing that grand juries help prevent predatory prosecutions.

That is a tactic frequently tried by those upset by some outcome, but not really understanding the structure of our system.

Maybe like someone doing a “fix and flip” show without understanding which walls are load bearing.

Upset by 9th Circuit decision? Get rid of the 9th Circuit. Too much spent on aid to some 3rd world shithole? Get rid of foreign aid. Tired of scofflaws thumbing their noses at laws and getting off scot free? Get rid of juries, defense lawyers, just get a rope.

Mostly just ignorant steam blowing, occasionally entertaining but now and then a bit worrying.

I agree completely.

The old advice: Don't go tearin' down a fence til you ask the man that built it why it's there.