Erik Loomis is writing here about capitalism and socialism and forestry, but this generalizes:
[W]e need to value experts, not romanticize putting power in the hands of “the people,” which are not the figment of your projection about your own beliefs, but rather are the racist uncle at Thanksgiving and people who think The Big Bang Theory is hilarious and won’t miss an episode.
Upon leaving the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Ben Franklin supposedly answered the question “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
I am not sure if this is fact or folklore but the fact of the matter is we live in a Representative Republic, not a democracy. Did they stop teaching this in Civics class?
“…the racist uncle at Thanksgiving…” can speak his mind and has a vote but its up to those elected to do the right thing.
We elect our leaders and give them the authority to LEAD. To do what is right for the greater good which apparently those WE have elected have lost sight of.
“We elect our leaders and give them the authority to LEAD. To do what is right for the greater good which apparently those WE have elected have lost sight of.”
Or have WE lost sight by continuing to elect them?