(Utah) Legislature passes bill to teach U.S. is republic

[Newsjock]

Source: Salt Lake Tribune

A bill that would ensure Utah students learn the U.S. is a compound constitutional republic — not a democracy — has passed both Houses of the Legislature and is now headed to the governor for his signature.

HB220 would require schools to teach students that the U.S. is a compound constitutional republic and about other forms of government such as pure democracy, monarchy and oligarchy along with political philosophies and economic systems such as socialism, individualism and free-market capitalism. The Senate passed the bill with no dissenting votes Monday.

... But on Monday, Senate floor sponsor Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Eagle Mountain, said in some states children are being indoctrinated in socialism via some curriculum.

“This is happening at least in some places in our country, so I believe this is all the more important in this state, so that we can protect our children from such curriculum,” Madsen said.

Read more: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/51390319-76/bill-compound-constitutional-curriculum.html.csp

[LeftinOH]

1. So, Democracy = Socialism. Well done, Republican creeps.

..and not one dissenting vote either. Not one single person stood up to say "Seriously, folks.. is this really the best way to serve our constituents?". Oh, I get it now, Republican Party = Republic, but Democratic Party = Socialism. Jeeeez.

[FBaggins]

2. That's nice.

I can't imagine why you need a law to get it done... but whatever floats your boat I suppose.

[nykym]

3. Maybe the Fed

should start to rescind accreditation from some of these states that start to slant education toward a right wing ideology.

[Lucky Luciano]

4. Well, we are a republic...stupid comments from some of the Utah senators notwithstanding. nt

[Fearless]

7. No, not really. Rome was a true republic (for a time), we are a side branch...

"A distinct set of definitions for the word republic evolved in the United States. In common parlance a republic is a state that does not practice direct democracy but rather has a government indirectly controlled by the people. This is known as representative democracy. "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic#United_States


http://www.williampmeyers.org/republic.html

[pasto76]

5. obviously there is a hidden angle in there somewhere

Yes people should be educated about the different ideologies. Maybe they will realize that a large portion of our way of life is socialist: fire fighters, police, ambulance, miltary, utilities, even the goddamn sidewalk.

Call me crazy for suspecting something loony from Utah.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. From everything I have seen, Republicans like the concept of the Republic

because they believe it gives States more "State's Rights." Also, they think it means that minority elites can rule. They have a sort of ass-backwards concept of what it means.

[warrior1]

6. How can they then explain

they're voting as a democracy??

Definition of DEMOCRACY
1
a : government by the people; especially : rule of the majority

[former9thward]

8. A legislature is not a democracy, it is a republican form of government.

The "people" do not vote in a legislature, their representatives do.

[PatrynXX]

14. figured this a long time ago

when Dick Cheney said we are a Republic. But it's a party line disagreement. hence democrats vs republicans. duh. This is a democracy. Because I've from that side of the isle. But to a Republican it's a Republic. Which is why you have both items in the rule of law. However equating democracy to socialism is a faux pas. So thats what Bush has been doing all these years. Pushing DEMOCRACY to other nations. (oh I Meant SOCIALISM) so that means Bush Jr is the biggest Socialist of them all.

[former9thward]

16. The words get interchanged in our politics.

I have no idea how the Democratic and Republican parties got their names originally. I doubt it was because Democrats actually wanted people voting on every issue that comes up. That is just not workable and our founders were smarter than that. Democracy certainly does not equal socialism since it is a concept that has been around for thousands of years before socialism was ever thought of. But I do see the word getting misused -- 'we are a democracy, why don't the people get to vote on this!'. That is not what our country is or ever has been.

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. Non-republican states have legislatures as well, eg constitutional monarchies

A legislature does not mean a state is a republic; and a representative democracy has legislatures.

The USA is a republic and a democracy.

[Solly Mack]

9. Damn

[The Backlash Cometh]

10. I guess they don't realize that minorities get their rights BECAUSE the U.S.A. is a Republic.

[Bandit]

12. I believe Civics should be taught, it used to be

My first Civics class was in sixth grade and then my Senior year I had American Government which is quite different from American History, which I had my Junior year.

[bongbong]

13. More job creation

Bravo to the repigs for fulfilling their campaign promises!!!

[earcandle]

15. Building future civil wars.... duh? How can you teach some kids one thing in one state, and

something else in another, and expect to stay a unified
country.

What dumbfucks are setting our children up for eventual
conflicts of interest?

We need unified standard education so our children can travel
around state to state
and be able to relate to others.... This is really stupid.

I think all schools should be taught this topic, and focus on
what our constitution
and bill of rights and declaration of independence and rules
of law and regulations
bring to us as a unified group that no one of these can ever
offer.