Democracy or Republic?

Ladies and Gentlemen, All of us use the word "Democracy" freely, but we need to understand that what we are seeing vividly is literal Democracy in action in Egypt right now. Of course, there is only one item on the ballot there: Do we want Mubarak to be head of government? The democratic majority vote pretty clearly is "NO!" What about all the other national decisions? When will they be decided?

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Unfortunately, no country can be run that way. Not now, not later. This Democratic voting is informal, of course. No paper ballots! No formal organization! Just a lot of pent up emotion, shouting and screaming. Everyone gets to vote -- over and over. No ballot counting. Is the crowd going to vote on taxes tomorrow. Highway repair the next and school the day after that? What decisions about the Suez Canal? No, a nation cannot run that way. Whether in a frenzy or calmly considering business, this Democracy cannot work! The United States form of government is not the Democracy everyone talks about. Our government is a Republic. So is Canada and most countries! That is representative government. The government has officials that are elected and appointed who conduct business in an orderly fashion. Nothing else works except a Dictatorial form which also works the same way, but without the input from the citizens. Not Egypt nor any nation can function as a true democracy. They do not want a Dictatorship and they must understand they want a Republican form to get anything done. They need to calm down, go home now that they have vented their frustration and get a government organized that will do what they want and run the country that way. The U.S. has a Constitution that sets the ground rules for our government. I do not know what Egypt has. If they do not get going, they will get a Dictatorship that they will regret for a long time. Just look at Iran!!!!! Ralph Miller Dallas, Texas

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