If America is a "Representative Republic", then why is the Democratic party legitimate?
474390
A democracy is a form of government where decisions are made by the people.\n\nIn a "direct democracy" every citizen votes for every decision.  This includes who will occupy each office and each government job, and every law and rule, as well as enforcement of laws.\n\nIn a "republic," the citizens elect representatives to offices and the elected representatives make decisions on hiring employees and passing and enforcing laws.\n\nFor a country the size of the U.S., a direct democracy would be infeasible.  Both the Republican and Democratic parties favor a republican form of government.\n\nThe Republican Party generally sides with the interests of wealthy people.  Although they claim to favor conservative financial practices and smaller government, they do not follow those beliefs when in office.\n\nThe Democratic Party generally favors the interests of middle class and poor people.  They are more receptive to deficit spending and financial support of poor people.
349974
IN THE DAYS OF THE 18TH CENTURY, THIS COUNTRY WAS SO LARGE THAT A DIRECT DEMOCRACY WAS NOT A VERY GOOD OPTION.  SO THEY WENT WITH THE NEXT BEST THING.  BUT IN TODAYS TIMES, A DIRECT DEMOCRACY IS ENTIRELY POSSIBLE WITH THE HIGH TECH COMMUNICATIONS WE HAVE TODAY.  THE CORRUPT SYSTEM WE HAVE TODAY IS PROOF THAT A REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY IS DOOMED TO FAIL.  A DIRECT DEMOCRACY WOULD BE FAR MORE HONEST.
562983
NO political party represents American Interest.  They all represent their own members views to the exclusion of any non member.\nThat is why our two party system (and the party system in general) has created the apathy and problems we currently have in our government.\nI believe our forefathers wanted ANY natural born citizen to actually have a shot at president - too bad that ain't the reality today.
131973
The U.S. is a "Federal Legislative Democracy" that resides in Washington D.C.\nThe American people "non elected officials" represent the republic \nThe U.S. is a created entity of Commercial Contracts, U.C.C, U.S. Code of Commercial Law......\nregular people cannot run for the office because they would have to file a waiver and claim to be a U.S. citizen which is also a created entity of the 14 amendment
540222
first it's do not does and big not bid so if we are going to attack let's be articulate and get your facts straight, it is the Republican Party that likes to keep the poor and the middleclass living in fear and causing them to graze like sheep and believing that they are the only party that can save them from the terrorists. The Democratic Party never would have gotten us into this needless war or the incredible mess here at home that the Republicans have succeeded in doing and it is the Republicans who go home to big mansions and only a few of the Democrats that do. You will find that there are more Democrats from humble origins than well-to-do versus the Republicans.
9079
Yes, it is.  The Constitution gives the states the right to draw up there congressional districts.  The Democrats have used this tactic along with the Republicans
900073
It started as the Federalist party versus the Democratic Republicans.  Once the federalists dwindled into nothingness, the Democratic Republicans were left as a single party and it wasn't long until the liberals and conservatives within the group caused it to splinter into what is now known as the Democrats and the Republicans.  The names are arbitrary, its the ideology behind each (Reps = Cons, Dems = Libs)
666360
The United States is not a Democracy.  It is a Republic. A Democracy is generally thought of as being ruled by the people.  We elect representatives to "rule" for us. It would be too hard to run a country as a true Democracy.  All the people would have to vote on everything.  However, We do hold the democratic process, and the people, in high esteem and try to run the country by what most of the people want.
507138
in general no democracy has ever lasted very long,  America was formed to be a republic, where the need of the government and all people held an importance.\n\nNow that America is switching thier government to a more pure democractic system,  This normally allows for corruption and control by fringe groups ( which we see happening)  It weakens a nation to such a point that there is either a military or civil revolt or the country is taken over by another nation.
1031074
All American states are democratic. Some have democratically elected Republican leaders and others have democratically elected Democrat leaders.
591719
I am sure there are, but why would you want to do that?  Do you really think that you will get honesty in these websites?  If you do, I got a nice shiny new bridge to sell ya, foe cheap!  There are only 2 main parties in America, Dem's and Repubs.  Dems are socialists, Repubs are supposed to be conservatives, but many of them aren't.  Both are corrupt.  Both are full of liars.  Both are full of politicians (not leaders).  What most informed citizens end up doing is choosing the lesser of 2 evils, unfortunately.  May I suggest you start by studying the political history.  Then learn as much as you can independently about the parties and their politicians.  Be sure and note how often they contradict themselves, thinking nobody will notice.  There is no easy way or simple website adequate enough when it comes to choosing such a thing.  Don't try to oversimplify the process.  Do your homework, as tedious (and boring) as it may be.
479847
The mission of the Constitution Party is to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity through the election, at all levels of government, of Constitution Party candidates who will uphold the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. It is our goal to limit the federal government to its delegated, enumerated, Constitutional functions and to restore American jurisprudence to its original Biblical common-law foundations.The conservative Constitution Party, which calls the Republican Party too liberal, has fielded a record 20 state legislative candidates for this fall's election, a turnout that some Republicans worried could hurt their own party.you have to go back at least half a century to find a third party candidate that won a state legislative race.The more I think about it, the more this looks like fertile ground for a third party to emerge.  Who will it hurt more?  The Republicans, or the Democrats?  I'm not sure.  Perhaps it will shake things up in general.
87809
To be clear, a Republic is a system whereby people elect representatives, and then those representitives are free govern as they see fit, without regard to the opinions of those they represent if need be.\n\nA Democracy is a system whereby representitives are elected, but must govern exactly as the people wish.\n\nThe United States is a Republic,  and no, our laws do not make more than two parties a requirement.
348732
Democratic party philosophy vs. Republican party philosophy.
270579
Not necessarily!  Our form of government, although our reps are democratically elected, except for the President, is actually a republic.  We elect our representatives to vote for, what we hope is in our interests, but that doesn't always happen.  Our alternative is to vote them out at the next election, have a recall, or impeach.  An example of true democracy is the town meeting form of government.  What the people decide becomes the law.  As for the President, we don't elect him/her.  We elect what is called the electoral college.  They in turn meet collectively and actually vote for the president; again, a republic form of government.  We elect them to vote for us.  There's a lot more to it than this brief explanation, but I think it will give you an idea.  However, we, unlike any other nation on the planet, have the closest thing to a democracy that there is.
593431
It seems commonplace now to turn on the television and hear pundits saying that the Democrats lack a consistent party platform, a "message". This might be true; but unlike the Republicans, Dems do have a consistent philosophy. Liberals believe that government restrictions on the choices and lifestyles of its citizens should only occur when its citizens are otherwise in danger; and only with proper oversight and due considerations. Prohibiting non-sporting guns is an example of protecting the community at large. Republicans disdain this as unnecessary government intrusion, but believe the government should be able to legislate appropriate lifestyles. Democrats recognize that the government is a place where society can come together to fix problems of inequality, poverty, disease, and hunger. That if we provide a great education to every American then our country will always be second to none. Republicans believe that these programs are too expensive, and that people without shoes should pull themselves up by the bootstraps. Traditionally this meant that taxes should be lower and these programs should be cut. The new republicans believe that everything should remain the same, but rich people should pay less, more money should be given to corporations in the form of tax breaks, and the existing social programs should be reworked so that they fund private companies to do the work while providing the individual with less. The basic philosophy of modern republicans is: the government is not in the business of helping people, but it should be in the business of helping business as that will eventually trickle down to the people. They believe that the government should not pass legislation if it will hurt businesses, even if it would protect the people. Republicans want to legislate religious morality for its own sake, not to protect people, and the only moral legislation they don't agree with is legislation that hurts business. \nI am a democrat because I believe that the strength of our government is what has made this country strong and innovative. I don't believe that society benefits by allowing its ills to fester. I believe that the government exists foremost as a protector of the people, not a champion of buisness. I believe the government should act to protect its citizens physically and economically; not to make sure that a particular sect's moral sensibilities are not offended. I am a democrat because I have faith first in the people and the democratic process, not in the dollar that we have made so strong. This is presidents considered liberal in their times have been the greatest we have ever known. When liberals are in control there is progress and the attainment of higher goods. When conservatives are in control there is regression, repression, and corruption.
792947
Opportunity still exists.  But, the United States has suffered a kind of "coup" over the past 50 years by right-wingers and religious fanatics.  It's really taken a toll on our democracy and principles of pluralism and separation of church and state and our world reputation. It's an old paradigm issue. Democrats tend to believe in the social contract, that we are stronger as a nation when we empower each other and conduct our government for broad social benefit rather than for individual benefit. Republicans, on the other hand, operate from a lower level of human development where individual empowerment means "survival of the fittest", "a sucka's born every minute", "dominion over the planet means plunder rather than guardianship", "them first so that their "superior" genes survive", genecide, rigging elections, lying and torture are ok if it means their survival" sort of reasoning and so-called "values". They have never believed in the American Dream. Since the beginning of this democracy, the dream to be free and have a fair chance has been under attack by the Conservative's belief system. Republicans and Conservatives do not believe in the U.S. Constitution, unless it serves their self-interests. They have never been real Americans. Real Americans believe in free speech. Conservatives/Republicans do not. They deleted this entry as quickly as it was posted yesterday. Real Americans look out for each other's rights in our pluralistic society. Conservatives do not. Conservatives do not care for anyone but themselves and their own viewpoints, their own religions, their own bank accounts. That is their platform. They would have the rest of us put down like animals or enslaved if they could get away with it. They are not believers in the common good. They plunder, even from the weak. They do not care about their own neighbors or their own communities or people who are different than they are. They prefer to live in gated communities and build massive fences and walls. They relentlessly strive to disenfranchise as many people from the American Dream as possible. They fought against Americans who wanted slavery abolished. They fought against black Americans who wanted to vote. They fought against female Americans who wanted to vote. They fought against Americans who wanted to keep church and state separate. They fought against older and disabled Americans who wanted American public restrooms and sidewalks to accomodate wheelchairs. They fought against American workers who wanted a decent minimum wage and a forty-hour work week. They fight to this day against poor people by refusing to raise the minimum wage yet voting themselves raises in legislative bodies. They fought against American children and forced them to work like slaves in factories and mines. They fought against American children and spent our money making arms dealers rich while taking money away from the public school system. They fought against working American mothers who needed equal pay and decent childcare. They fought against hungry American babies and slashed preschool nutrional programs for the poor. They fought against pregnant poor Americans and slashed prenatal care programs. They fought against American healthcare professionals who were struggling to stop the spread of AIDS and they blocked the distribution of condoms that would have saved millions of American lives. They fought against American homosexuals who wanted to be able to rent a house or an apartment and live together in peace. They fought against American police organizations that pleaded for a ban on the guns that slaughter police officers and over 40,000 Americans every year. They fought against Americans who tried to protect the environment and people from pollution and poisons that are being put in the air and water, by conservatives, mostly. They fought against every American in court who has stru