The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

The University of Vermont's Independent Voice Since 1883

The Vermont Cynic

Kari Winter’s letter

I would like to take exception to Kari Winter’s definition of a democracy.Democracy: a form of government of, by and for the people based on concepts of inalienable human rights, rule by law and free discussion of ideas. The more accurate definition of a democracy is rule of the majority.What Kari described is more like a republic which is the method of govering the United States and all of the serveral states. The republican form of government is guaranteed to all states by the United States ConstitutionRepublic: a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to law. Governing according to law is a key phrase.The point I am making is that there is a suble but important difference between a democracy employing majority rule and a republic employing the rule of law.Congress and the President are by oath subservient to the Constitution and obligated by the rule of law of our Constitution to defend our rights until the constitutional process is employed to change our constitution eliminating those rights. In a democracy any rights of the people could be changed with the next session of Congress leading to the question; was the Congress of the United States in violation of the Constitution and Congress’ responsiblity to citizens when it passed the Patriot Act that limited and eroded rights?In an enviorment where our government can no longer be trusted I wholeheartedly agree with Kari’s last sentence in her letter.”It is not only the right but the *patriotic duty* of *every* citizen in a democracy to seek information and to express their views.”Patriotism is to the United States defined by its Constitutions not the individuals of Congress nor the President.SincerelyWilliam Brueckner sr1421 Shaw Mansion RdWaterbury ctr Vt 056771-802-244-7517

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Kari Winter’s letter