Has anyone else noticed that right-wingers have stopped referring to the US as a democracy?

[Big Orange Jeff]

They are stressing the fact that our government is a "representative republic". I'm sure it has something to do with the names of the two major parties, and so they can say that the Republican Party is the one to which the founding fathers would belong.

I just find it fascinating that they're so caught up in words instead of real problems.

[Mz Pip]

1. That's really not new

I think it makes them feel smart to throw that around. Whatever. It doesn't change anything.

[Frances]

2. I think the reason they use representative republic

is that they don't believe in "one man, one vote." They believe in voter IDs, literacy tests, etc. I actually had to take a literacy test when I registered to vote in Alabama; I passed only because I was white. A friends' mother said that in Tennessee, the testers put a W at the top of tests taken by whites. In my case, my paper was marked while I was present. I'm ashamed to say I couldn't answer most of the questions; I doubt many people, white or black, could have done so.

[Brigid]

9. I didn't know they were so blatant about it.

They actually put a "W" on your test right in front of you? What was on the test?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

14. when was this?

[mrcheerful]

3. It is always about words with them socialism, communism, social

engineering,liberal, class war fare, abortion, healthcare, you name it they have a word for it even if they don't know the meaning of the word. The reason they like the word republic is it is a part of republican which is why they hate the word democracy, they misinterpret the world as Democratic or Democrat.

[Ozymanithrax]

4. They have proven adept at rebranding words... n/t

[LiberalAndProud]

5. Recycled Limbaugh.

It's literally been years since I listened, but there he is right in the middle of all the talking points. I heard it on the radio. It must be true.

[polichick]

6. They know they're running a con job - words are their tools of manipulation.

[immoderate]

7. They are technically correct. Ask them who is represented.

The representatives are supposed to vote the interests of the (originally white, male, propertied) people.

Now they administer the wishes of a corporate ruling class. Kind of like the founders wanted. :shrug:

--imm

[HopeHoops]

8. Well, on that point I have to agree with them. Big business owns the political process, not us.

I still think of it as a democracy because that is what it is founded upon, but at present it does NOT operate that way. The optimist in me believes that one day it will again.

[RKP5637]

10. This country has and is facing so many problems and this is the best the

republicans can do ... they are a disease.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Yes. It's a Republic. It is a Republic, and the subtlety helps them

confuse people. It's not about the numbers. It's about the districting. Control the districts and you can win elections, state by state. They have figured out how to beat the large Democratic urban areas.

[ladjf]

12. Their preoccupation with "words" is because they are intensely

interested in manipulating society largely by the use of language. And, it's working.

[kestrel91316]

13. They hate the idea of democracy. They don't WANT everybody to have a vote.

They want a return to the good old days of ONE HOUSEHOLD, ONE VOTE.

Anybody who says we are not a democracy is telling you in no uncertain terms that they don't want women or non-property owners to have a vote.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

15. because we aren't a democracy? maybe that's why?

we ARE a representative republic. a pure democracy is a very dangerous thing...

sP