Why is America No Longer a Representative Democracy?

[Sunstone]

One of the biggest reasons America is not a representative democracy (except on paper) is tweedism. Tweedism can be summed up by this quote:

"I don't care who does the electing so long as I get to do the nominating." -- Boss Tweed.

For more about Tweedism and for some of the other reasons American is not a representative democracy, check out this video....

 

[Shiranui117]

The populace is uninformed and disengaged, while the elites have things all under control.

 

[Twilight Hue]

The populace is uninformed and disengaged, while the elites have things all under control.

I think it's been fixed.

Ever since Corporations became people and special interest and lobbying was allowed to take over the political process,
the populace has since lost its voice and influence.

 

[leov]

One of the biggest reasons America is not a representative democracy (except on paper) is tweedism. Tweedism can be summed up by this quote:

"I don't care who does the electing so long as I get to do the nominating." -- Boss Tweed.

For more about Tweedism and for some of the other reasons American is not a representative democracy, check out this video....

was it ever?

 

[bobhikes]

One of the biggest reasons America is not a representative democracy (except on paper) is tweedism. Tweedism can be summed up by this quote:

"I don't care who does the electing so long as I get to do the nominating." -- Boss Tweed.

For more about Tweedism and for some of the other reasons American is not a representative democracy, check out this video....

It never was a representative democracy. The framers of the constitution feared public representation. That's why we have the electoral college for president, senators where originally appointed, judges still are appointed. The house the only true representation of the people was held in check by the senate, judges and president.

 

[Sunstone]

was it ever?

That's a good question. I think anyone who attempts to seriously answer your question will find that the answer is quite complex and depends on such things as where, when, and in what way some town, state, or region of America was relatively more or relatively less representative than, say, today. In other words, anyone who thinks your question has a simple, straight-forward "yes" or "no" answer is most likely quite poorly informed.

 

[Sunstone]

It never was a representative democracy. The framers of the constitution feared public representation. That's why we have the electoral college for president, senators where originally appointed, judges still are appointed. The house the only true representation of the people was held in check by the senate, judges and president.

Do you think it's that simple, Bob?

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I think it's been fixed.

Ever since Corporations became people and special interest and lobbying was allowed to take over the political process,
the populace has since lost its voice and influence.

I agree with this.

 

[shmogie]

One of the biggest reasons America is not a representative democracy (except on paper) is tweedism. Tweedism can be summed up by this quote:

"I don't care who does the electing so long as I get to do the nominating." -- Boss Tweed.

For more about Tweedism and for some of the other reasons American is not a representative democracy, check out this video....

America was never a representative democracy. It is a Constitutional Republic

 

[Stevicus]

One of the biggest reasons America is not a representative democracy (except on paper) is tweedism. Tweedism can be summed up by this quote:

"I don't care who does the electing so long as I get to do the nominating." -- Boss Tweed.

For more about Tweedism and for some of the other reasons American is not a representative democracy, check out this video....

Wow, I actually watched the whole video. I rarely do that for any videos longer than 5 minutes.

It was good; I agree with what the speaker is saying.

We've known the solution to this problem for quite some time; the speaker alluded to it when he mentioned what people were doing 50 years ago, yet left some work unfinished. Maybe it's time to start thinking about the things they thought about back then.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

America was never a representative democracy. It is a Constitutional Republic

Those two things aren't mutually exclusive.

 

[Revoltingest]

America was never a representative democracy. It is a Constitutional Republic

I say it's both.
Imperfections don't make the labels inapplicable.

 

[Twilight Hue]

America was never a representative democracy. It is a Constitutional Republic

I can't disagree as we're a nation of laws.

Still I wish they would narrow the terminology down to what exactly we are because as the years continue, I'm not even sure what kind of political system we have.

 

[bobhikes]

Do you think it's that simple, Bob?

Yes, the Original leaders of the country feared public representation without checks but they also feared a monarchy, yet that was an early option. So they compromised and made America a Republic. They also gave the larger amount of power to the states and this is what has changed, the states have given up there authority to the Federal government do to an inability to manage money. This has shifted the power of the voter which had better representation at the state level to a minor role at the federal level. Power of the voters was lost do to Power given up by the states.