“Convinced that the republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind, my prayers & efforts shall be cordially distributed to the support of that we have so happily established. It is indeed an animating thought that, while we are securing the rights of ourselves & our posterity, we are pointing out the way to struggling nations who wish, like us, to emerge from their tyrannies also. Heaven help their struggles, and lead them, as it has done us, triumphantly thro' them.”

Ahh, that we could return to a land of the free and home of the liberating brave.. Heaven help our struggles in returning to such ideals.

Sadly America remained a republic for not nearly long enough. And now the democratic system has nearly eviscerated all of rights and ideals Americans once held so dear. (Oh well, off to the mall...) There's going to be a very serious struggle if people are to regain their freedoms.

Sadly many have been Rushed into believing that a republican form of governmetn is different than a democracy. Jefferson was referring to a form of government "of, by and for" the people. That is what a republican fomr is and that is what a democracy is. Like the other quote about English government the people provide the checks and balances. US governance has become more republican/democratic and less aristocratic with the popular election of Senators and Presidents. The framers tried to put in a little bit of aristocracy with their original plans but democracy and republicanism triumphed over that. God Save America and our glorious republican/democratic tradition.

It's interesting,but sad to note, that our country is moving headlong toward fascism/socialism while countries in Europe are moving more towards freedom. As to Wafflers last line, I say God save America from this current crop of Obamunist thugs. We will turn many of them out in the 2010 election but must hold out till then. Tea Parties ,anyone?

Seeing it today as the other side of the coin in the hands of the elite few he wouldn't say that now. Rushed Waffler? I don't think so because 20 years of hearing the arguments and researching the difference between the 2 is not rushed. As has been said before, you just don't want to upset the status quo which you are obviously a benificiary of.

I just wish those others would stay home and change their countries instead of coming here and changing ours!

"That is what a republican fomr is and that is what a democracy is."... A patently incorrect statement. A Republic is a land of free people. A Democracy is a land of rule by the strongets interests. Or as Washington(?) said...Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.

J obviously missed the previous quote about how the monarchy and Lords of England are stopped by the control of the people via their democratic parliament. Don;t forget that North Korea is a repulic also. A republic without democracy ain't worth nothing at all. Absolutely zilch. If you want to live that way why not go to North Korea.

Waff, yes there are a few difinitions of "Republic". I prefer the American version as prescribed by Jefferson & Co. And for that I'd rather stay and fight than run like a coward to the communist version of a republic. That would be because I am an American Patriot. You should give it a try.

Carlton, it was Franklin that originally gave the quote; also, we've given Waffler all the legal definitions, historical examples, statements by the founders, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseam explaining the difference between the constitutionally defined Republic in the U.S. as is averse to a Democracy. He then absolutely refuses to accept any fact or truth concerning the subject. Freedom, liberty, and subject related personal responsibility is incomprehensible to him so, he continues to give off topic / distorted examples to try and justify his despotism and tyranny of choice. You can't argue with the pridefully ignorant.

The founders knew what a republican form of government was even if folks today do not and though communist countries have the word 'republic' in their name (obviously to appear republican rather than totalitarian). Note also that Jefferson uses the word 'republican' not 'republic.' The Constitution authorizes only a 'republican' form of government. So perhaps those wishing for a republican form of government might start using the word republican rather than republic. Then, we will see that the names of the political parties (Republican and Democratic) have also perverted the meaning of these words. If, for example, a 'republican' was one who supported a republican form of government and a democrat supported a 'democratic' form of government, we would understand the difference -- American republican government is a balance of powers, a democratic government is rule by the leader of the majority whose passions can easily be swayed for the benefit of their rulers. Like a true 'democrat' Waffler considers the aristocrats (property owners, business owners, employers, investors, land owners, etc.) the enemy. In truth, by attempting to eliminate one branch of government (the Senate), the balance of powers is upset into a constant political battle of rich and poor, with the poor always being tricked and used by their rich leaders. Without the aristocratic branch then, the President literally rules the people, because the poor have no power and by reducing all to poverty we become slaves to the Executive. The founders knew what they were doing and the republican system they came up with was to keep the monarchical, aristocratic, and democratic forces in check for only one reason: to protect the natural born, inalienable rights of all people -- period! Without a proper balance of powers, there is always one sect trying to exploit the other using the 'law' to make it 'right.'

The founders dud not know what they were doing they were only guessing. They guessed pretty good and juat to be safe in case they were wrong they gave us The Amendment Process. And we used to further the republican/democratic stance of the nation by provideing direct popuilar election of Senators and popular election of the electoral college. The founders started off a little on an aristocratic tangent because of the fear they had of the people as evidenced in Shays Rebellion in Western Massachusettes and similar unrest among the people in Virginia.A republic is basically rule by the people or by those who are governed rather than by a monarch, dictator etc. Yes many nations use the term hypocritically today but it started out as a term of self government, and a territroy who had such a government within its boundaries was called a republic. I disagree that a republic is some type of codified set in concrete institution,.

Well I wonder how SS like road checks are able to happen in the land of the free? ...http://www.youtube.com/user/CheckpointUSA

Notice how happy and pleased Jefferson is in this quote, he expresses surprise that things worked out so well. The founders were not absolutists nor shoukd our republic be.

The republican form of government guaranteed (the only guarantee in the organic Constitution — see: Article IV Section 4 united States Constitution) is fundamentally and in all substantial ways different than the socialistic democracy of the occupying statist theocracy now infesting this land. I have written this several times here in this blog — there are 4 terms / concepts that are faliciously used as synonyms when in fact, they are very different. A "democracy" is the majority (a forest's non-perception of individual trees), as god, has ability to create law (mob rule). A "republic" is a unique land masses' defined boarder where individuals are the foundation of a body politic. A "democratic process" is simply: one person, one vote (no reference to type of law or law's origin(s)). A "republican form of government" is each person is a sovereign with inalienable rights; each and every law being a denomination of nature with man administering such existing law through rules of order.

Heaven has helped America once again, Bringing to light our Free Popular form of Republican government. As Sovereignty of nations being at issue with globalist socialism, so also is Sovereignty of the Individual brought to light in America, found to be at odds with the knee jerk socialistic democratic youth of today, led by old establishment socialist. The tide has turned in our favour, for the Righting of our Ship of State, the restoration of our Republican form of government, deregulation, lower taxes, securing our borders, repatriation, all move toward a better, prosperous land of opportunity. President Trump has become the spearhead of restoration and inspiration for those nations the world over, who seek Liberty and Freedom for their own. Happy 4th American Patriots. 2018

How has world socialism made such strides in the last 100 years?  When the Western world agreed to turn government debt into currency, replacing real capital as the backing, the ultimate power was transferred to the money-making authority.  All the nations of the world (via the UN) were roped into this con — it is the racket of rulers.  With this system of money, all are perpetually in debt.  Banks are the shadow government, determining who shall get the power.  Nothing is built without 'credit' — whoever has the power to create billions with the click of a mouse has the power to buy up the world.  They succeeded, and the Monopoly game continues, we are but pawns, and in the end, it all goes back in the box.  If/When a global currency backed by real-commodities becomes popular, nations can rebuild with fair trade.  Economic servitude is how socialism/fascism/communism (i.e. dictatorship) keeps its power.  Return that power to the people!