U.S. Constitution protects our republic from a democracy

A closer look at a republic vs. a democracy:

A recent article by Mike McLeod of Palmetto was desperately needed at this critical time in our history.

Please, allow me to expand on these differences in how we govern. A representative democracy is supposed to be good for all the people all the time, but is that really the case? Mike's article suggests you ask either a native or a black American if this is true.

Democracy simply means "majority," which is 50 percent plus one, alienating a minority of 50 percent minus one. There are many who have suggested the U.S. is closer to an oligarchy or plutocracy as of late. Do the plutocrats not benefit from a 2-year-old Supreme Court decision, through a simple vote of 50 percent plus one, allowing these wealthy plutocrats, through super PACs, to strongly influence the way we choose to govern?

A true republic was intended to go one step further, through a Constitution, by assuring that minority rights were protected and not alienated even if a democratic vote of 50 percent plus one did occur. Keep in mind we can all be discriminated against in a so-called representative democracy, or a system where 50 percent plus one exists.

Our Constitution, in theory, was intended to level the playing field for all occasional minority groups, but does it? The Patriot Act, implemented the two weeks after 9/11, has never been modified from its current power to subvert the habeas corpus provision.

Why hasn't it, since this gives you the right to go before a judge within a reasonable period of time after being arrested for an alleged crime? Is this a right, undermined by a 50 percent plus one vote, you would wish to have returned?

Do you now see that a democracy without a strong governing document could be the demise of our republic as we know it?

Bob Trumbo

Ellenton

This story was originally published April 10, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "U.S. Constitution protects our republic from a democracy ."