From an early age our society falsely teaches us that our country was founded as a democracy. School teachers, journalists, and politicians alike all wrongly praise democracy. In our government schools, the adamant opposition to democracy of our country's founders is not taught. Our founders specifically avoided the creation of a democracy. Rather they created a Constitutionally Limited Republic.
In the Federalist Papers Number 10, James Madison asserts "Measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority." In a democracy the rights of the minority are trampled by the will of the majority. Our founders were unanimous in opposing the formation of a democracy.
Today we have school boards using the tyranny of democracy to take wealth from the minority for the benefit of the majority. For 2008 the New Jersey the average home owner paid $7,045 in property taxes. Annually the increase in property taxes has exceeded the rate of inflation.
"When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic." - Ben Franklin |
The private sector in New Jersey is withering away. High taxation and over regulation is forcing private sector jobs out of the state. The number of government employees is exploding and more and more private businesses are relying on government contracts. As the majority of the voting population becomes dependent on government largess, the majority shall use democracy as a hammer to steal wealth from the minority. The republic is in grave danger.
Democracy sets business owners against government employees, homeowners against parents, union workers against non-union workers, and the wealthy against the poor. Around the world democracy causes oppression of minority religions and ethnicities. Democracy is the cause of much conflict and strife in our world.
Many have demanded citizen initiative and referendum in New Jersey. Mike Gravel (a former Libertarian Presidential contender) seeks a National Initiative for Democracy. As shown by the recent vote against gay marriage in California, such a mechanism can be used by the majority to take away the rights of the minority. A national citizen referendum on the National or State level would lead to oppression of the rights of the minority.
Interesting Links and Articles on this Topic
Democracy VS Republic - Which Is America? - 'Slayerment' blog article on the foundations of our government. Comments section has lots of notable quotes from our founders on the subject.
The Tyranny of The Majority - Article by David Shelton from 2008 on our republic, constitution, and the court decision overturning California's marriage ban (prior to the referendum).
Majority Rule/Minority Rights -Article from Democracy Web on the pitfalls of democracy and minority rights.
Democracy and Majority Rule - Article from libertarian Walter Williams on the subject.
What's Wrong With Democracy - Article by Free Hal on Democracy and its pitfalls.