So now you are thinking that I am going to droll on about the injustices of our government, right? Well that’s wrong. So I’m going to start on about conspiracy theories about how our government is REALLY run by a magic duck that can magically speak to five people who pass it’s message through the President, right? Not a chance. That’s just silly (which is how they get us all to believe it’s not true! But I digress…).

So what moves me to take time out of studies and family to write about it? The use of the term “democracy” by people who are chosen to have the mantle of leadership of our country bestowed upon them. Why does this bother me? That’s an easy one that any 8th grader should be able to tell you: We do NOT live under a democracy, we live under a REPUBLIC! To be exact, we live under a constitutional republic. It even says so on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States).

Wait. Wikipedia?

That’s right. I used Wikipedia as a reference. I know your professors, parents, or other people told you Wikipedia is wrong because it is publicly edited. But can they provide sources for their information? Oh, wait, that information can actually be gotten from Wikipedia, too. Anyways, this is another whole subject that I will address later. **edit: or now. Right here.*** Just trust my judgment for the moment.

So WHY does this irk me?

I was watching president Obama the other day and heard him reciting some drivel about preserving our democracy. Then I realized, anytime I heard Obama or any other politician speak, they referred to our government as a democracy.

These are the people who are the law-makers, law-enforcers, and law-interpreters (or as they are best known; the legislative branch, the executive branch, and the judicial branch; in order) and should know our system the BEST. The real troubling thought is that they DO know the system and that they are purposely using this terminology to lull us into submission. After all, if we think we know what’s going on, we will not question it.

So what is the difference?

There is a world of difference. I am NOT just picking over semantics here. Besides the fact that a republic is truly what we should (and still do, but barely. But again, I digress), a republic is a government where representatives speak for the masses while a democracy is where the masses speak directly. Democracy has been called “Mob Rule” in the past, and for good reason. In a Democracy, every person does have the power to put forth his or her interests, but on the other side of the coin, the majority easily crushes the minority. This gives a feeling of power to the people, which is why it would be a preferred term for the politician to make us feel all warm and cozy. The big downturn to democracy is that it QUICKLY shifts into oligarchy! This is called the “Oligarchical Shift” or the “Iron Law of Oligarchy”. While the Iron Law theory says that all types of government will eventually shift into oligarchy, a republic MAY be the exception to the rule.

Those who crave power may genuinely look to force us into a democracy to see the  shift to oligarchy solidify their power. That is just pure conjecture on my part, though.

This is where some MAY say, “But wait! Wasn’t Rome a republic and it turned into an oligarchy eventually, too?”

Well, yes and no. Rome WAS a republic at one point, but before it was an oligarchy, the republic was taken over by a dictatorship. This was NOT a natural shift. And besides that, our fore-fathers weren’t dimwits. They specifically sought a way to keep the majority threat of pure democracy under control. This brought a Constitutional Republic into being (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_republic, yep more wiki). That means our government was thought up by a group of guys who saw how things deteriorated in the past and tried to prevent that.

So here is the point of the history lesson today:

I see the current use of the term “democracy” as a deliberate attempt at weakening our governmental checks and balances to allow politicians on a national level to pull more power into the federal government than there should be. And I don’t appreciate it.

Does that mean I’m conservative? Maybe. But if you see the same trend, the only way to stop it is to speak up. Ironically, democratic behavior is the only way to keep our republic in check. It’s funny, but I have a feeling that this was intended at some level by those clever fore-fathers.

Please watch this video and then share your comments. I really am unable to form cohesive thoughts concerning this subject due to how disturbed it makes me.

P.S. I know this is not exactly new information, but this is the first time I could even face a piece about this topic with enough reserved thought to copy and paste an embeding code.

I got gas for $3.93 per gallon yesterday and was so excited that I called my wife to give her the <sarcasm>good</sarcasm> news. Relatively it was a great price seeing as how I saw a place that had regular for $4.14 on the way. I understand that some areas are seeing even worse prices. This is horrible!

There is a talk show on the radio station I am program director for called The Schnitt Show. He has some ideas on this that I agree on. First of all, unlike Rush Limbaugh, he does not oppose alternative energies. Secondly he believes we should open up drilling in areas we have untapped oil deposits like the Gulf of Mexico. I cannot help but to agree here. Before you argue, let me give some reasons:

• We are seeing insanely high prices on imported oils and augmenting with our own supply (however limited in production) would assist in this
• Oil spills are caused during transport and if the deposits proved to be enough to significantly reduce imports, we would be PROTECTING the environment and NOT destroying it
• China is already going to be drilling out there thanks to Cuba! With how they’ve been trying to kill us with leaden toys apparently, what do you think they’re going to do on drill platforms?!? Might as well have platforms out there that we control safety on.

I have heard that some politicians are arguing that there is not enough oil in the deposits to matter, but if that were the case, why the hell would CHINA be drilling??? They have what? A third of the Earth’s population or something like that crammed over there and they are interested in the Gulf. Why WOULDN’T we want to drill out there to help our economy and reduce dependence on other nations?

So, unless McCain pulls off something extraordinary, it looks like Obama is going to be our next President. I’m not a politics fanatic though so I could be wrong but in looking at what’s been all over the news the last couple of days, it definitely seems this will be the case.

I’m not sure how I feel about it, to be honest. I’m not an Obama or a Clinton fan but I suppose any change is going to be a good one when you look at how the Bush administration has muddled up the works. There are a couple of things I don’t necessarily agree with but I guess in the long run I’d be able to accept having Obama as President. Don’t get me wrong, the idea of having the first African-American or woman in the white house really doesn’t enter my mind. After all, we’re choosing the best candidate based on what they can do for our country and the world. I’d elect the Geico gecko if I thought he would do good things for us as a country.

I was sad to hear, though, that, assuming Obama gets elected, he’ll be putting the next moon landing on hold for 5 years for education money. Of course there are other things about Obama I don’t really like but most of them are just gut feelings.

Discussion commence… now.

Good Magazine has three videos that give a quick outline of each candidate’s past and major issues. Good start to an informed decision.