We are not a Democracy

More specifically, we are not a direct democracy. We are a representative democracy. The difference is crucial! In light of the recent political/ideological warfare over Muslims and gays, I keep hearing the complaint from Republican leaders that Obama/Democrats are not listening to a majority of the American people.

Here's a history lesson. America's Founding Fathers purposely instituted a representative democracy because they realized, quite frankly, the masses are stupid. Elected officials and sound-minded Supreme Court justices are not responsible for simply listening to the public. On the contrary, they must avoid the changing whims and emotions of the masses to be judicious and prudent. Otherwise, the progress of our nation will be impossible!

Take a look back: an overwhelming majority of Americans once supported slavery and denied basic human rights to colored folks. How about public segregation? Women's suffrage? Japanese internment camps? Salem witch trials? etc.

In hindsight, it seems humorous, even embarrassing, to think Americans actually supported such discriminatory policies. But, we didn't just act with indifference - we enforced these laws, suppressed minority groups, and refused to change. Our minds were ingrained with self-righteousness and intolerance. True leaders, whether in the Courts or Congress, did not succumb to the prejudices of the majority, but instead, slowly reshaped our fears and ignorance.

So, is it possible at all that we still fall to our egos today?! We can only ask ourselves as we fight so passionately, and even worse, blindly, about the issues of our time - immigration, gay marriage, Islam, animal rights, etc.