Democracy means the "rule of the people." Because of democracy, we now have the Black Vote (1965 Voting Rights Act) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f- news/1072053/posts and Women's Suffrage (1920 Nineteenth Amendment) http://www.history.com/ minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_ Generic&content;_type_id=932&display;_ order=1&mini;_id=1286

Consider this quote: "In a country with benevolent and compassionate citizens, democracy could be a good thing. The history of human nature, however, is frequently punctuated with evil deeds. One popular definition of democracy is 'two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner.' The majority dictating the future of the individual."

What is your take on the above quote?

Here is my new tattoo and my little story behind it: http://mommasalwayswrite.blogspot.com/ 2008/07/whats-with-tattoo.html#links.

I am looking forward to getting another one on my upper right back.

Loudacris,

I hope that people will be better than that and vote based on educational resources. I do find some of the political satire humorous, but I could not base my vote on smear ads, political cartoons, etc. The video from JibJab is hilarious and jabs at both candidates--could this help independent candidates running this year? Independent/undecided voters, I hope that you do more research.

As a writer and editor of http://www.bellaonline.com/site/ independentparties I know that I am constantly learning and I am glad to be part of the independent parties movement--which is 40% of the electorate.

"Elizabeth Dole votes with President Bush 92% of the time;" and she only moved to North Carolina late December 2001 to run for the U.S. Senate when Jesse Helms retired. "[She] hasn’t been here since she won," said Coleen Curran of Charlotte. Curran also states: "While we’re paying around $4 per gallon for gas, she’s voting 92% of the time with President Bush, giving Big Oil and Gas billions in tax incentives, and allowing them to keep it. It’s unconscionable, and the least I can do is talk to my friends and family about Kay’s campaign." It seems she is only in North Carolina when it is convenient for her and her interests. Dole "votes for the special interests, not the best interests of the people she claims to represent."

AngeloDeOrva,

I believe you make a valid point. The Founding Fathers did give us a republic when the Constitution was written, but over time the elements of democracy have found its way through our political system. An example is Women's Suffrage and the Black Vote; and we have come a long way as a nation as far as voting rights is concerned.

Senator Stevens voted against LIHEAP Legislation, this bill would help the lower income families with heating needs. "The high cost of energy is the top concern facing Alaska families and Senator Stevens' vote against federal aid is an outrage," said Begich. Some 14,000 families may experience a harsh winter if this legislation is not passed.

One more thing about "new blood" (young blood), I know this might sound "shallow," but the man is old (84)-- it's time to retire anyway.

Ted Stevens does deserve a fair trial—I’ll give him that. If he is found guilty, I stand by what I said of “new blood” only because as I stated in another argument that bribery should not be tolerated in a constitutional republic. And if he breaks the law, then he deserves punishment.

From what I’ve been reading on some comments of other Alaskans (http://community.adn.com/adn/ adn_pubstory_478349?page=1) who stand by Stevens, one has said, “I don't care what he did. He doesn't deserve to go to jail. This man has done more for Alaska than anyone.” Then another comment, which does not favor Stevens, “He's hurt many fishermen lives, damaged the enrichment of our state coffers, made Japanese trading companies rich and provided for great wealth for his cronies.” I’ll just say that God only knows if this man is innocent or not. If Stevens is found guilty, it shouldn’t matter if he’s done a lot of “good” in that state. What should matter is that principle should triumph over pragmatism.

This debate should be interesting--most people say that it is a democracy. But, according to the Constitution we are a republic. Watch this video--it is a great explanation of what we should be.

I agree that everyone deserves a fair trial and is "presumed innocent until proven guilty." I suppose we shall see in the days ahead…

Also from your reference of this nation being a democracy or a republic is another debate—that I do agree. I believe that our nation has moved away from being a republic and that reference you brought up brings about a great point: “Are the American people today sufficiently better informed and otherwise equipped to be wise and prudent democratic citizens than were American citizens in the late 1700s? By all accounts, the answer to this second question is an emphatic ‘no.’” One just needs to turn on the TV and see what’s on.