President Obama spoke before the United Nations today, heralding the virtues of “democracy” in the Middle East. In his speech he proclaimed,
“We insisted on change in Egypt, because our support for democracy put us on the side of the people. We supported a transition of leadership in Yemen, because the interests of the people were not being served by a corrupt status quo. We intervened in Libya alongside a broad coalition…because we believed that the aspirations of the people were more powerful than a tyrant.”
In other words, Obama says the United States supported a majority of Islamists who are sworn, according to the Koran, to terror: “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.” Koran (8:12).
In the name of democracy a populist revolution has brought Islamofascism to power across the Middle East and North Africa. We must recall that democracy is not the criterion of legitimacy. To be legitimate, government must be republican.
Recall the account involving Ben Franklin who, when asked what type of government had been established by the Continental Congress, replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
The United States is a republic. Our founders established a system of liberty under law whereby leaders are elected for a specific period by the preponderance of the citizenry, and laws are passed by leaders for the benefit of the entire republic, rather than a select aristocracy. Initially representatives were selected from among the working citizenry, served the republic for a defined period, then returned to their work, never to serve again.
Republicanism stresses several key concepts: civic virtue, universal participation, the need for separate powers, and a healthy respect for the rule of law.From these concepts, one paramount value stands apart — political liberty
The framers of our Constitution were highly suspicious of democracy, which they often denigrated as “mob rule.” As we’re seeing in the Middle East, democracy can be evil.
When the majority use democracy to violate the natural liberty rights of the minority, that is what is known as the “tyranny of the majority.” That’s what pure democracy is known for.
Tragically, that seems to be where we’re headed in America as well.