Civics 101: What “We the People” Need to Know.
What we need to know is whether the United States is a democracy or a republic. Without a thorough understanding of how we are governed as a nation, we live in a state of ignorance. And that ignorance is the root of our perennial frustrations. I would like to take this opportunity to help you understand the distinction between a democracy and a republic. After the passage of the big, beautiful bill, it dawned on me that it might be helpful for the American citizenry to understand why the US Constitution rarely fulfills the needs, concerns, and pursuits of prosperity and happiness, as it was designed to do. It is no longer relevant in the 21st century. Now, let's get down to business.
In reality, the United States is both a Representative democracy and a republic. I know this because I Googled it. And below is what Google said:
The United States is considered both a republic and a representative democracy.
Why it's a Republic:
In a republic, the people hold the power, but they elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
The government's power is limited by the constitution and laws that protect individual and minority rights.
The US Constitution promised checks and balances between different branches of government.
Why it's a Democracy (specifically a Representative Democracy):
Democracy signifies a government in which the people have ultimate authority in political matters.
The US is a representative democracy because citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf rather than directly voting on every issue.
Citizens participate in the political process by voting in elections and contacting their elected officials.
Key takeaway:
The US is accurately described as both a republic and a representative democracy, as the terms are not mutually exclusive, and the US government incorporates elements of both forms. The emphasis is on the people's power being exercised through elected representatives, guided by a constitution that protects individual rights and freedoms.
Now, here’s where “SHIT” gets interesting!
As usual, the devil is in the details. And it sends those details, that is the crux of all of our angst. Let me explain my perspective on this persistent and pervasive issue. If we, the people, had the opportunity to vote on issues ourselves, we would have the power to determine our destiny and futures. Allowing an elected representative to vote on our behalf is to place our trust in people who may not prioritize our needs and concerns as they would their own. Not only that, but we left ourselves open to greed, corruption, incompetence, and self-serving acts to profit at the people's Expense.
Theoretically, in the purest form of democracy, a despicable piece of legislation, such as the Big Beautiful Bill, would have never passed muster with an informed citizenry. There would be affordable healthcare education and a social safety net for our seniors and children in this country because these are the priorities that a majority of voters have been clamoring for for decades. The only reason these issues have not been resolved, despite the nation's deficit climbing to nearly $40 trillion, is that we, the people, lack the power to govern ourselves. It should be abundantly clear by now that those we've chosen to represent us have not done so with a proper moral compass, integrity, or compassion for their constituents.
Next Steps
Start asking questions like, 'Why does nothing change in favor of the people, no matter which candidate or party we vote for?' Essentially, the political status quo is static. We get a lot of Shit-Chat broadcasts on C-Span, but at the end of the day, it’s all much ado about nothing. It’s all grandstanding, political theater, and if this is so, the next question is, why do we continue to participate in a corrupt and ineffective process that no longer serves the basic needs of the citizenry? Next, and most importantly, what can we do to transform the process into a more democratic, equitable, and empowering one for the people?
Repeating the same failing efforts and achieving the same disappointing results is the definition of insanity. Will it be challenging? Without a modicum of doubt, yes! A change of this magnitude will take a herculean commitment because the current powerbrokers are dug in deeper than an Alabama tick, and they’ll fight like their lives depended on doing so. Power is like dope. The more you get, the more you need.
To support my argument for revamping the current stagnant form of government that has eroded the people’s ability to affect change in the political process that now only serves the ultra-elite, multi-national corporate interests and the lobbyists they employ to bribe and corrupt the people’s elected representatives, I submit a summary of a Washington Post article that speaks to how the slow but consistent handover of the people’s protections that was once promised by the concept of balance of power. When the citizenry is denied power, there is no balance of power.
The Supreme Court and Congress cede powers to Trump and the presidency
The high court has given the president immunity and protected him from nationwide injunctions. Congress is giving ground on spending and tariffs. It adds up to a turbocharged executive.
July 4, 2025
By Naftali Bendavid
The Supreme Court last week sharply curtailed the ability of federal judges to block a presidential action nationwide, even if they find it unconstitutional. That followed its decision last year granting the president broad immunity from prosecution for crimes committed in the course of his core duties.
The Senate, several days ago, rejected a resolution that would have let Congress decide, under its war powers, if President Donald Trump can strike Iran again. And Congress, in recent months, has repeatedly declined to assert its constitutional authority over spending or tariffs.
In a striking dynamic of the Trump era, analysts say, the judicial and legislative branches have been steadily transferring many of their powers to the executive — or at least acquiescing in the transfers. That has shaken up a system that depends on the three branches of government jostling sharply as each jealously guards its prerogatives, many critics contend.
If the above is true, and it is because I checked, “We the People” are indeed being ruled by a self-appointed Crowned Head (AKA) a King, with his Queen, a monosyllabic mannequin, Melania. Now that this Machiavellian megalomaniac has managed to absorb the authorities of the Supreme Court and the U.S. Congress within his grasp, in this writer’s opinion, there remains only one solution.
“We, the People, must regain control of what's left of this democracy/republic to reestablish respect and adherence to the principles of the U.S. Constitution. And that effort may take a second revolution to achieve that goal. These are extraordinary times, and extraordinary times call for extraordinary responses.
This madman was impeached twice in his first term as president and still managed to re-emerge once again, even more power-hungry than ever. How Donald Trump was able to convince, cajole, connive, and control a narrative so effectively that enough ignorant, dimwitted, and ill-informed voters allowed themselves to be sold another line of Bull Shit to cure all that ailed them.
Now, I get it. Revolution is a harsh word and dangerous because it implies acts of violence. Many are still in shock over the events of Jan. 6th, 2021, when Trump 1.0 incited rioters to lay siege to the U.S. Capitol building to overturn the election he’d lost. I say, if Trump could do that and still get himself re-elected, then “We the People, at the very least, must consider what some may think untenable.
He has to be stopped, one way or another. If the reader of my thoughts would like to share other less radical options, this writer is always open to suggestions. More later, I promise!😇
