THE TYRANNY OF THE MAJORITY

John Locke, in his Second Treatise of Government, invoked a concept he called "tacit consent" where the governed continue to accept the benefits and protection of organized government instead of withdrawing to other communities even when there is disagreement. He believed that in a social compact the majority would rule since "the decisions of a going community cannot depend upon unanimity!"

However, Locke did not answer the question, "How are they to be protected from the Tyranny of the Majority?" There is a difficulty here which cannot be resolved simply by saying that they consent to majority rule at the time of the social compact because it could soon become an unreal thing...which is where we are today in America!

Most of the Liberal Supreme court decisions made in my lifetime have been made out of fear of the tyranny of the majority.

I am glad that we do not live in a Democracy. I'm glad we have a "Representative Republic". In a Democracy the simple majority does rule, but in a Representative Republic decisions are made by officials who "supposedly" represent all of the citizenry in those districts from where they have been elected. This is not the best form of Government but it is the better form of the two. The reason being that the citizenry can recall or vote out of office those who do not represent them in the way they desire.

We have politicians today who want this country to be run by a simple majority. Politicians who want the States who have the greatest populations to control the Presidency and Congress. They want to eliminate the Electoral College so that Presidential elections are determined by the vote of the people in the States with the greatest population. Forget the votes of States like South dakota and Delaware.

We have developed into what I call "A modern political system of slavery" through the vast "entitlements" expected and accepted by a great "majority" of Americans. The Constitution nowhere promises or ensures anyone any of the "entitlements" Government is spending Trillions of tax dollars on. The concept "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" does not mean that Congress has the responsibility of "giving" citizens anything and everything to make their lives happier or easier. All it means is that everyone has the right to "pursue" life, liberty and happiness. Of course you cannot "pursue" anything in a socialistic environment.

To "insure domestic tranquility" has been used erroneously to mean that Government must pay for everything. This is idiocy! Reminds me of what Piso said to Cicero in the book "Cicero", by Robert Harris. Cicero had called Antonius Hybrida a "half wit", to which Piso replied: "Cicero, you disappoint me. Since when has idiocy been a bar to advancement in Politics."

Domestic Tranquility just means a peaceful society. If anything it means that we must have Police and A Military to protect us as citizens.

Yet it is out of "fear of the majority" that politicians constantly dole out countless billions of dollars. A majority that they, the politicians themselves created! This is the "Tyranny of the Majority"!


The sad result is that America is becoming so much like all of the Socialistic countries of Europe. France, Germany, and Great Britain and the Scandinavian countries are leaders in Socialism. Their tax systems are so very burdening on their people they are stifled in their ownership of anything; property especially. This where we are headed!


When Americans can no longer own their own piece of land with a home on it they can no longer realize the great "American dream". Think about it.


These have been Musings from the First Coast

I am Gerald W. Stokes