I also somewhat agree with you here. I know I call it a democracy. What I mean when I say this is that we democratically elect our representatives to the government. So when I say, “that's the great thing about a Democracy”, it means that it's great that we have a choice of who governs us. Not that we are given great choices, mind you. Look at our last election. I, once again, had to vote for who I thought was the lesser of two evils. I think I'm just gonna start voting Libertarian across the board. A bit too conservative for me, but I agree with more of their ideas than the dems and repubs. Rambling again.

I know that, technically, we are a republic. But only barely. As time has gone by, we have become closer and closer to a democracy. For example, at the beginning of our republic, only white males with a certain amount of land could vote. So technically, a majority could not rule. Over time, it became that all residents of legal age could vote. So, over time, our government became a democratic republic, so to speak. Or a democratically representative republic, if you prefer.

On the federal level, the 17th amendment changed the senate from being state appointed representatives to being elected directly by the voters. Making us even closer to a democracy. I happen to disagree with this amendment. The purpose of the Senate was to represent the needs of the states. The house of representatives was for the people.

I think the only thing holding us together as a republic is the fact that the president is elected by the electoral college and the supreme court is appointed by the government. Also, the fact that most people don't vote. Does the super majority requirement qualify here?

Of course, I'm no expert. Far from it. I don't claim to know much about, well, anything. So I may be way off base here. But, that's the way I see it.

And, by the way, I need to throw this in here since I'll probably be banned again. You call me liberal. Which I'm not, really. I have liberal views, I have conservative views, I have progressive views. But I don't mind being called a liberal. I decided to look up the meaning of being liberal and this is what I found (I'm not going to list all the definition, to many):
1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs (I'm OK with this)
2. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
3. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression.
4. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies
5. free from prejudice or bigotry, tolerant.
6. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
7. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal
8. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman

As opposed, the definition of a conservative
1. disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change

That's the only definition that applies, according to the dictionary. Wikipedia defines conservatism as a political attitude that advocates institutions and traditional practices that have developed organically, thus emphasizing stability and continuity. I think we can both agree that we were failing on both these counts. That why a change in rule is good from time to time. To keep things in balance. The liberals have their time now, soon the conservative will. This is a good thing. If you ask me, the best scenario is to have a president from one party with the house/senate controlled by the opposite. This is when some of the best work is done. We'll see if this is the case coming up. It doesn't look like it though, it's been a bit combative lately, which doesn't benefit anyone.

But anyway, you see my point. Really, the basic difference between a real liberal and a real conservative is that a liberal wants to change things, to create progress (good or bad is debatable), a conservative what's things to stay the way the are or were. If you ask me, the country is better having both.

I apologize in advance, for the long post, and for violating your, twice now, ban. I really need to start my own blog or something. And no, I'm not what you call a blog troll. I'm not even sure what that means. Yours is the only one I read. Started with the Health Care post.

I also somewhat agree with you here. I know I call it a democracy. What I mean when I say this is that we democratically elect our representatives to the government. So when I say, “that's the great thing about a Democracy”, it means that it's great that we have a choice of who governs us. Not that we are given great choices, mind you. Look at our last election. I, once again, had to vote for who I thought was the lesser of two evils. I think I'm just gonna start voting Libertarian across the board. A bit too conservative for me, but I agree with more of their ideas than the dems and repubs. Rambling again.

I know that, technically, we are a republic. But only barely. As time has gone by, we have become closer and closer to a democracy. For example, at the beginning of our republic, only white males with a certain amount of land could vote. So technically, a majority could not rule. Over time, it became that all residents of legal age could vote. So, over time, our government became a democratic republic, so to speak. Or a democratically representative republic, if you prefer.

On the federal level, the 17th amendment changed the senate from being state appointed representatives to being elected directly by the voters. Making us even closer to a democracy. I happen to disagree with this amendment. The purpose of the Senate was to represent the needs of the states. The house of representatives was for the people.

I think the only thing holding us together as a republic is the fact that the president is elected by the electoral college and the supreme court is appointed by the government. Also, the fact that most people don't vote. Does the super majority requirement qualify here?

Of course, I'm no expert. Far from it. I don't claim to know much about, well, anything. So I may be way off base here. But, that's the way I see it.

And, by the way, I need to throw this in here since I'll probably be banned again. You call me liberal. Which I'm not, really. I have liberal views, I have conservative views, I have progressive views. But I don't mind being called a liberal. I decided to look up the meaning of being liberal and this is what I found (I'm not going to list all the definition, to many):
1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs (I'm OK with this)
2. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
3. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression.
4. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies
5. free from prejudice or bigotry, tolerant.
6. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
7. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal
8. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman

As opposed, the definition of a conservative
1. disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change

That's the only definition that applies, according to the dictionary. Wikipedia defines conservatism as a political attitude that advocates institutions and traditional practices that have developed organically, thus emphasizing stability and continuity. I think we can both agree that we were failing on both these counts. That why a change in rule is good from time to time. To keep things in balance. The liberals have their time now, soon the conservative will. This is a good thing. If you ask me, the best scenario is to have a president from one party with the house/senate controlled by the opposite. This is when some of the best work is done. We'll see if this is the case coming up. It doesn't look like it though, it's been a bit combative lately, which doesn't benefit anyone.

But anyway, you see my point. Really, the basic difference between a real liberal and a real conservative is that a liberal wants to change things, to create progress (good or bad is debatable), a conservative what's things to stay the way the are or were. If you ask me, the country is better having both.

I apologize in advance, for the long post, and for violating your, twice now, ban. I really need to start my own blog or something. And no, I'm not what you call a blog troll. I'm not even sure what that means. Yours is the only one I read. Started with the Health Care post.