Republic or Democracy, Republican or Democrat

The United States of America is a Republic that has been struggling to become a Democracy since the Declaration of Independence was signed. A Republic defines a ruling class who govern by majority vote. A Democracy is similar but every citizen has a vote. One of the first steps toward Democracy was when our constitution gave all white males the right to vote when a minority wanted only white males who owned land to vote. After a hundred years or so Black males were given the right to vote. Next came the vote for females then the vote for citizens aged 18. With each expansion of the right to vote the United States becomes less a Republic and closer to becoming a Democracy.

This difference also defines the basic disagreement between our two major political parties. Republic(ans) prefer a Republic while Democrats prefer a Democracy. In a Republic, the leaders decide what is best for the country and dictate policy to the rest of the population. In a Democracy, voters are consulted and polled before policy decisions are made and the majority rules. This is why the 1995 Republican Congress charged our President with a lack of leadership, wishy-washy decisions, and were shocked at his shifting views. They obviously feel that they were elected to 'lead' the people while President Clinton's actions show that he recognizes that he was elected to serve the people.

This is the question that faces America's voters, do we want strong leaders in our government or do we want public servants? The Democratic Party has become a conglomerate of minority groups because we believe that every voter should have an equal voice. The Republican Party has maintained the position that they know what is best for America and the voters should just let them run things.

This writer believes that the profile of the American voter is changing. We are better educated, better informed, and better prepared to take up the role of political leadership by electing public servants to represent us in our government. We have less need for leaders than ever before in history. The shifting of both parties toward centrist positions shows that this awakening of the voters is beginning to be noticed. The Democratic Party is in the enviable position of already having a Democratic philosophy while the Republican leadership will have to make a monumental change in their most basic beliefs in order to succeed in the near democracy that is overtaking America.