The political tribes styling themselves "conservative" and "liberal" agree on one thing: "our democracy" is under threat. They don't agree on the source of the threat.
It has become normalized to speak of the United States' system of government as "a democracy." Even more than that, "our democracy" has taken on religious overtones. Note words like "sacred" used to describe government buildings desecrated by those evil, democracy-hating "insurrectionists."
Many Americans might be surprised that of the first 28 presidents, only two - big government guys John Quincy Adams and William Henry Harrison - even used the word "democracy" in their inaugural speeches. Referring to the United States as "a democracy" is completely a product of the Progressive era - as are most awful things about American government and society in general.
The Constitution originally had one democratic element: the democratically-elected House of Representatives. Pretty much the entire rest of the Constitution was constructed to protect us from democracy.
I break it down in today's episode of Tom Mullen Talks Freedom.
I also link to a book I highly recommend for this reason and others on the show notes page.
I have a big announcement at the end of today's episode, so stick around until the end.
If you haven't already, download a free e-book copy of It’s the Fed, Stupid here.
It’s also available in paperback here. It’s priced at a pre-hyperinflation level so grab a few copies for friends if you can.
It makes a great introduction to the government’s most economically damaging institution for liberals, conservatives, libertarians, socialists, and independents alike.
It also helps me keep the lights on here so I can continue to bring you great content.