Why is the word "democracy" not in the preamble of the US Constitution?

Last Updated: 30.06.2025 01:21

Why is the word "democracy" not in the preamble of the US Constitution?

—Thomas Jefferson

[with republicanism being the rights-protecting form of governance afforded us by our Constitution]

To slaves: “You can forget your notions of freedom. We voted fair and square and your side lost.”

Do Europeans typically set heating to higher temperatures in the winter compared to Canadians and Americans if the temperature at a given moment is similar?

To Indians: “Pack up what belongings you can carry and start walking to Oklahoma. Your fertile lands are ours now. We voted fair and square and your side lost.”

Another tendency, which is extremely natural to democratic nations and extremely dangerous, is that which leads them to despise and undervalue the rights of private persons.

Majority-rules democracy is the way that majorities run roughshod over minorities, destroying rights and all ideas of equality under the law. No fair-minded person wants anything to do with democracy.

I vibrated my dogs shock collar while it was eating my other dog’s food and now it won’t eat. How do I fix this problem?

To blacks: “You can’t drink from that water fountain… eat in this cafeteria… ride this bus… go to this school. We voted fair and square and your side lost.

Meanwhile, when the Democratic Party formed in 1828, it was with a Tory outlook keen on robbing others of their rights:

—John Adams

What can I do after 18 cops raided my home, without a warrant, seeking a person who didn't live there and wasn't there, and also went through all of my stuff? The person wasn't on the lease, and they didn't see him enter.

Why? Try these on for size:

The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.

When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.

Can the right person make a narc want to change their ways? Is love that powerful? Has anyone seen this or experience it?

—Alexis de Tocqueville

I do not say that democracy has been more pernicious on the whole, and in the long run, than monarchy or aristocracy. Democracy has never been and never can be so durable as aristocracy or monarchy; but while it lasts, it is more bloody than either.

—Benjamin Franklin

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In other words, our Founding Fathers and other Whig intellects of that time well understood that democratic methods are the surefire means to do serious damage to the rights guaranteed under republican self-government.