Polytickles

Why do we still live in a republic? Does that seem strange to anyone else? I am perturbed; hear me rant. Or don’t, it is pretty long…

First, let’s make sure everyone is on the same page about exactly what type of government the US has. An unfortunate number of Americans believe that we live in a democracy. We do not. We live in what is called a “democratic republic.” We are ruled by powerful individuals, who make decisions for us, so the United States of America is a republic. Since we get to pick the guys that rule us, as opposed to recognizing a God-given sovereignty or a dynasty line, we get to throw the word “democratic” around.

There are a few key differences between a democracy and a democratic republic. In a democracy, the concept of a president would be meaningless. Congress and Senate would be dissolved, as their roles would be filled by every citizen willing to vote. Every policy issue would be left in the hands of the people, directly. A democratic republic tries to keep the power in the hands of the people, while simultaneously circumventing the difficulties involved in gathering and counting votes for every minor decision. Instead of citizens voting on policy changes, citizens vote to chose which people should have the right to vote directly on policy changes.

This system is highly flawed. While the people do possess some power, it is minimal. We vote on an individual’s stances (or a political party’s stances, if you are a sheep), but there is nothing in place to ensure these people stick to their campaign promises. We are also subject to the decisions these people make, even if the overall public opposes them. This cannot happen in a democracy, but it happens with decent regularity in a republic. A good current example arises from the Marijuana debate. Even though most people don’t care about the drug, it is illegal in most states and also at the federal level. The country’s immature and ineffective handling of the drug is so apparent, that our extremely politically-influenced mainstream media is filled with pot jokes. It is clear that this prohibition is not supported by the people, yet the people have no real say in the matter. Ron Paul and Barney Frank are currently trying to push a bill decriminalizing marijuana federally, so the states make the decision themselves, but the chair of the Judiciary Committee (Lamar Smith) is refusing to allow the bill to be voted upon by his committee, meaning that literally one man can keep this bill from passing. There is nothing the common people can do to make this bill pass, beyond petitioning Lamar Smith to change his mind (which is exactly what is happening right now). Regardless of your opinion on drug reform in this country, it is painfully clear that this issue is not being handled democratically.

When the Founding Fathers decided to create a government based on democracy, they were cornered into accepting this heavily modified version by the technological limitations of their time. It would have been practically impossible to tally up votes from all thirteen states (or colonies, or whatever is most correct) for every minor decision. Responding to an emergency would have taken so long that the early country would’ve quickly been torn apart. I do not feel that the Founding Fathers made a mistake in their decision – the government they created (after the epic failure that was the Articles of Confederation) was probably the best they could have done. I certainly don’t have a better solution for their problem without bringing modern technology into the mix.

Speaking of bringing modern technology into the mix, I think we’ve reached the point in this article wherein I bring modern technology into the mix. I’ll start with: The only thing standing between the American people and a pure democracy is the current government, or specifically, the people in power. It would take a lot of work , of course -  no one should try to deny that. We would have to either heavily modify our existing government, or throw it out and start from scratch (though not necessarily in that order). With modern technology, however, I firmly believe that we could create a system which fairly allows all legal citizens of age to vote on any and all policy changes.

With the plethora of pocket-sized electronic devices available, it is not difficult to imagine how such a voting system might work. A wireless-ready voting pad could easily be designed and produced, with security being the largest concern (and one that I am not computer literate enough to address myself). With the prevalence of free wi-fi nowadays, and the obvious expansion of such services under this kind of system, policy changes could be voted on democratically and efficiently. Is this not our ultimate goal, as a nation of people constantly rallying in the names of freedom and democracy? I would say “yes.”

Why, then, has this not happened? Why isn’t it happening now? Why aren’t the people in charge moving in this direction, if they truly work for our best interests? Three things I can think of, but first, a disclaimer. I have only dabbled in the study of sociology, so keep your salt shaker poised over these ideas. For one, this idea seems to not be very common. Not a lot of people have thought about this. Ignorance. People don’t realize that there could be a better way, so they do not fight for a better way. Education begets change, so if you like these ideas and would like to see them happen, talk to your friends and family about them and help us overcome this first blockade.

Next up is… Stupidity. You guys keep voting in assholes and liars! Stop that. It’s a nasty cycle, the voting process in America. You examine the candidates, cross off anyone not trying to look like an ass or an elephant, and pick the least terrible from the two that remain. It’s the crossing off part that gets me. People think “no one votes for these guys” so they don’t vote for them. Here’s the kicker: EVERYONE IS THINKNG THIS. Very few people vote outside of the big two parties because very few people vote outside of the two big parties because very few people vote outside of the big two parties because you have all basically brainwashed yourselves. Do you want a libertarian president? Then fucking vote for one. This country is denied many social and political revolutions due to our pervasive sheep mentality. Just… Fucking… Stop it! BAD Americans! BAD!

Finally we come to the big one, the issue that usually causes all other issues, the greatest flaw of mankind’s psyche… Greed. There are people right now with power over this country and its less-powerful inhabitants. To use that power fighting towards a pure democracy would be, quite simply, power suicide. They would be using this power to permanently and completely destroy that very same power. Before Obama can be willing to support these changes, he must be willing to sacrifice his presidency. Every member of congress voting against the republic would be voting against their own jobs, asking to be fired so that they may join the rest of us as a truly equal nation. It is only natural that those of us with less power want more, or at least want those with more to have less. It is a sad truth, but it is equally natural for those of us with more power to want to keep that power, or expand it. Natural selection has bred a race of selfish creatures, but as society and technology evolved these behaviors have become less and less desirable and more and more destructive. It seems unlikely that the powers that be would ever willingly give up that power.

Anyways, you guys have fun popping your fireworks and pretending you are free. If fireworks are even legal where you are.

/rant