oll Americans and it is surprising how many believe that the United States of America is a Democracy and how many do not know what the constitution says or what our true rights are. Most people we polled for this article didn't realize the Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the constitution.

Most people didn't realize the Constitution merely lays out government responsibility and power division, much like an organizational chart for a major corporation. The Amendments later added, specifically the first ten known, our Declaration of Independence and the Federalist Papers detail our principles and values.

What is a Democracy?

Why is it important that American's understand our structure and Constitution? Ignorance can cost and in an era when our Constitution is consistently in the news, it's important that every American and each of our allies understand exactly what it is we stand for and what we represent. Not understanding what we are leaves us open to manipulation and gives others the power to interpret our intentions, values and objectives. Not understanding provides us the excuse to support the objectives and agenda of others without realizing what we are supporting.

If the United States is not a democracy, what is it? The USA was founded as a Citizenship Republic "And to the Republic for which it stands..." Over the years, beginning with the Lincoln Administration of the 1860's ideas of socialism, democracy and increasingly during the 20th Century, fascism have been thrown in. In reality, the United States has not been a pure Republic, that is if you happened to be a white male American, since Lincoln. (Because of slavery, our ethnic cleansing of the American Indians and the absence of Women's rights, we've never been a true republic for all. These policies fall under fascism). The blocking of the cessation of the Southern States, a constitutional and declaration right, ended the pure republic and is the first time a President swept the Constitution aside in favor of an agenda.

Most Americans think the Civil War was fought to free the slaves. In reality this was an after thought, which sounded better than keeping control of the rich agricultural lands and natural resources of the Southern United States. It was fought to prevent the Southern States from ceding the Union, which is why you'll find in the South, the Civil War is often referred to as "The War of Northern Aggression," a correct description. However, history is always written by the winners and freeing the slaves, a noble and righteous outcome of this war, plays much better than preventing the formation of two countries. It also makes us feel better about the bloodiest war in US history. History as we are taught, and reality often contradict each other. This is true for every war, including World War II, Viet Nam and our current endeavors.

This article was originally written in mid 2002 and at that time we were researching political structures based on the actions of a specific US ally claiming to be a democracy. A strong inconsistency became clear between public statements and actions. Actions and Statements contradicted each other daily. We wondered how they could be a "Democracy" or even a "Republic" yet never bother to draft and approve a Constitution in fifty-eight years of existence. This confusion led us to research all government structures to cut through the propaganda being thrown at us. Perhaps we missed something in Civics or Political Science 101? Digging deeper, based upon their laws, actions and policies this ally in fact is not a democracy by any means. Its true government structures is a fascist-military-theocracy for the majority and a theocratic-military-republic for the preferred class fortified with healthy dose of US funded socialism shared by the preferred class of citizens only.

At that time, the United States fulfilled 6 of the 14 points of Fascism and we were a bit concerned but never thought the United States would ever be in danger of heading down the same path. After all, we do have a Constitution and it is pretty clear what we can and cannot do in this country, at least it used to be. January 16th, 2004 with the announcement of CAPPS II and the Trusted Traveler programs, we revisited the definitions, this time looking specifically at the United States and the documentation we've collected since 2001 on policies, laws, and information from sources in the military, government, media and abroad. The picture was not the picture we wanted to see. In 2004 with the Patriot Act and several actions by the Bush Administration in the past 3 years, the United States now fulfills all 14 Points of Fascism. Our staff sat in that room, shocked, stunned and downright furious this was happening right under our noses! We tried to rationalize, we tried to argue but in the end the nauseating truth could not be spun. This article suddenly became very important and the fact that this series on Democracy, Republics and Fascism continues to be the top article on Couples Company since our launch July 1, 2002, telling us a lot of people are beginning to question in the US and Internationally. One third of the readers of this article come from Europe and the Middle East. People are thinking, they're questioning and they are researching. This is the first step to change and returning to the image we see ourselves as, whether our favorite ally or the US itself. Knowing will allow us to change what we are becoming back into what we once were.

Therefore, we've put together this guide to help you understand the differences between government structures and to assist in your understanding of global affairs, the US Constitution and other issues impacting each of us. Once you understand all of this, you'll gain the upper hand in debates. Most people think they know what they are talking about in relationship to our government structure, rules, laws and values. In reality, most people have no clue. Fortunately you are no longer one of them.

CITIZENSHIP Democracy:

Is defined as government of the masses. Authority derived through mass meeting or any other form of "direct" expression. Results in mobocracy or a government where the lower classes of a nation control public affairs without respect to law, precedents, or vested rights. Attitude toward property is communistic, meaning property rights are negated and ownership is by the people or state. In a true democracy the lower classes of a nation control public affairs without respect to law, precedents or vested rights. Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate based upon deliberation, passion, prejudice or impulse, without restraint or regard to consequences of the action. A true democracy has been shown to results in demogogism, (a country run by the passions and prejudices of the majority) license, agitation, discontent and anarchy.

Democracy is about the people and their power. The power or authority exercised in a democracy is derived directly or indirectly from the represented people in one of two forms:

Direct Democracy:

This is where everyone is given the opportunity to participate in making all policy decisions. In countries and large organizations, direct democracy is rarely utilized because it would be cumbersome and efficient. No decisions would ever be reached.

Representative Democracy:

This approach entails people voting to elect representatives in a free and fair electoral system to make policy for them under a wide range of checks and balances to help ensure leadership accountability. The United States is a Republic which follows the ideals of a Representative Democracy. Our Electoral College is an example of voting via a Representative Democracy.

CRITERIA FOR A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

Effective Participation:

All the members must have equal and effective opportunities for making their views known and an equal influence on what the policy should be.

Voting Equality:

Every member must have an equal and effective opportunity to vote and all votes must be counted as equal.
 
Enlightened Understanding:

Each person must have equal and effective opportunities for learning about the relevant policies and their likely consequences.

Control of the Agenda:

All members must have the exclusive opportunity to decide how and if each matter is to be placed on the agenda.

Inclusion:

All members retain the full rights that are implied by the four criteria listed above.

Common misconception:

theocracy & democracy
A democracy cannot be a theocracy. By its very nature a theocracy excludes a segment of society or relegates that segment to subservient status because its faith differs from that declared by the state.

A democracy and theocracy are incompatible, just as fascism and democracy, monarchy and democracy, dictatorship and democracy are also incompatible. A theocracy may use some facets of democracy, but the primary requirement of equal inclusion for all without prejudice can never be attained under a state religious rule.

Wes Penre is the owner of the domain Illuminati News and the publisher of the same. Please also check out his MySpace website: http://www.myspace.com/wespenre.

Source: CouplesCompany.com
 

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