"Believing Rights Come From God, not Government, Unites Christians." Says MSNBC Guest.

[Why_Yes_I_Do]

Originally Posted by txdot-guy

Until we produce a better version of democracy let’s try not to blow up the system we’ve got...

So you're saying "blow it up" as opposed to a self immolation clause, aka escape hatch, i.e. exit strategy?!? IMHO - Federalist 46 seems to use language closer to self immolation than blow it up.

...The only refuge left for those who prophesy the downfall of the State governments is the visionary supposition that the federal government may previously accumulate a military force for the projects of ambition. The reasonings contained in these papers must have been employed to little purpose indeed, if it could be necessary now to disprove the reality of this danger. That the people and the States should, for a sufficient period of time, elect an uninterupted succession of men ready to betray both; that the traitors should, throughout this period, uniformly and systematically pursue some fixed plan for the extension of the military establishment; that the governments and the people of the States should silently and patiently behold the gathering storm, and continue to supply the materials, until it should be prepared to burst on their own heads, must appear to every one more like the incoherent dreams of a delirious jealousy, or the misjudged exaggerations of a counterfeit zeal, than like the sober apprehensions of genuine patriotism.

Extravagant as the supposition is, let it however be made. Let a regular army, fully equal to the resources of the country, be formed; and let it be entirely at the devotion of the federal government; still it would not be going too far to say, that the State governments, with the people on their side, would be able to repel the danger. The highest number to which, according to the best computation, a standing army can be carried in any country, does not exceed one hundredth part of the whole number of souls; or one twenty-fifth part of the number able to bear arms. This proportion would not yield, in the United States, an army of more than twenty-five or thirty thousand men. To these would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen from among themselves, fighting for their common liberties, and united and conducted by governments possessing their affections and confidence...

Do try to remember we are a Constitutional Republic as opposed to a Democracy. There is a difference.

[Yssup Rider]

Self Immolation clause?

Did they set themselves on fire back in the 18th century?

[txdot-guy]

Originally Posted by Why_Yes_I_Do

So you're saying "blow it up" as opposed to a self immolation clause, aka escape hatch, i.e. exit strategy?!? IMHO - Federalist 46 seems to use language closer to self immolation than blow it up.Do try to remember we are a Constitutional Republic as opposed to a Democracy. There is a difference.

I mean blow it up, for example urging members of a militia to overthrow the results of a legitimate election to force an unelected leader into power. The opposite of a democratic republic.

definition of a democracy: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

definition of a republic: a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

One can be both a democracy and a republic. one doesn’t preclude the other.

[Why_Yes_I_Do]

Originally Posted by Yssup Rider

Self Immolation clause?

Did they set themselves on fire back in the 18th century?

I think they were more focused on witches around that time frame.

[Why_Yes_I_Do]

Originally Posted by txdot-guy

I mean blow it up, for example urging members of a militia to overthrow the results of a legitimate election ..

Seems instead of "legitimate" election you lean more towards a "favorable outcome" election to your own liking. Guess we can check back in on this in November to see what will be the tune of the day that is being sung.