Thoughts of An American Citizen

In a column published by The High Spring's Herald today (May 8, 2008) I address the myth and misunderstanding that America was founded as a republic and specifically not as a democracy. This view was put forth in a letter by Kathie Diane Shaffer published on March 20th. "In actuality, we don't live in a democracy," she proclaims. If we continue in this ignorance, she warns, our nation's future is in peril.

In response the Herald has entitled my column "It's a myth we live in a republic, not a democracy." For the two words were understood synonymously at the founding of this nation.

Shaffer's fear of our national ignorance of our nation's constitution (I emphasize here the lower case 'c' to distinguish the general form of our government and its related particulars from the written document known as the Constitution which, putting aside the Bill of Rights for the moment, contains the blueprint of the mechanism whereby that form of government was to be realized.) is not without merit.

In the hopes that we can engage in a critical public discourse on the issues raised in these two articles I have placed a set of related readings on this website (see below) and invite you to engage in a discussion or raise questions about the topic and the readings.

Madison's 10th Federalist

Madison's Federalist #47

Madison's Federalist #48

Madison's Federalist #49

Madison's Federalist #50

Madison's Federalist #51

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