Seriously Speaking

Seldom do I write anything of a serious nature. However I am compelled to write this as we approach an election cycle. First I must define a few definitions.

Democracy: government by the people; especially : rule of the majority
democracy. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law. Retrieved October 08, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/democracy

Republic: a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
republic. (n.d.). WordNet® 2.0. Retrieved October 08, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/republic

Think for a few minutes how our form of government protects all people. Each state has 2 Senators, each equal in power, yet population of different states varies greatly. This prevents "mob rule", which would be the downside of a PURE democracy.

Also with each state varying in population, there is a need for a representative based on the needs of a populace. Thus we elect representatives based on the populace of each state. This prevents a "few" people from controlling the "mass", which would be the downside of a PURE republic based totally on regions or states.

Thus we send representatives to Washington DC based on population and on regions to act as our voices in making laws, creating taxes and controlling our governing principles on a national level.

Our nation was founded on the theory that all people should be represented within the government. We are a republic with a democratically elected congress. The wisdom of such a form of government must have had some divine guidance. Otherwise a few of the larger cities could have "ruled" the USA. Or conversely a region with a small population could have dictated the populace of the whole.

Also consider our economic system which is generally described as capitalistic. Take a moment and read the definition of the three major economic systems/theories.

Capitalism: an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
capitalism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved October 08, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/capitalism

Socialism: Any of various theories or systems of social organization in which the means of producing and distributing goods is owned collectively or by a centralized government that often plans and controls the economy.
socialism. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved October 08, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socialism

Communism: a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.
communism. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved October 08, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/communism

I am capitalistic in nature. I do not believe that the "community" or government should own the marketplace or control the output of goods and services. This allows best for the general distribution of wealth. One merely has to look around at other nations to see this system is best. If one looks at Venezuela (Hugo Chavez) or North Korea (Kim Jong IL), it is easy to see that even though both countries claim to be "democratic", the leaders live in wealth while the masses suffer extreme poverty.

The American dream is allowed because of these two great facts: capitalism and our form of governing. Be sure and vote this coming election. Be sure and vote for the person who will best uphold these two basic American principles.
Dennis