The majority rules, the minority be damned. That is the heart of a democracy. The Founders of the United States wisely
chose a different course. They
recognized that popular majorities are inherently unstable, ever shifting,
never constant, with little patience for the minority. Each of us, however, is always and ever part
of some minority. The Founders sought a durable
nation that would accommodate variety, so they established a republic. More precisely, they established a democratic
republic, where representatives are chosen by democratic action.
A republic works, and can only work, by respecting and accommodating
one another sufficient to find agreement, which is often elusive. A representative legislature by definition gathers
delegates who have their own minds, who carry with them divergent views and
interests, and who cherish rights to be respected. From my personal experience I have observed
that no one in Washington is your ally or your opponent all the time. I find that reassuring, and occasionally
surprising.
This structure accommodates several things that we hold
dear. Our republic accommodates
differences of opinion, or even better said, varieties of opinion. I have rarely been in a conversation with
more than two people where all were in agreement on every point raised. I have similarly rarely been in such a
conversation where I did not benefit from the interplay of ideas. We often can reach a consensus, but it is not
consensus on all things. A republic
embraces this.
In a republic no majority mandates our tastes. Our republic, for example, allows for an
assortment of cultures. It had to or
would never have been created. I like to
bring flags to our family reunions, symbolizing our cultural heritages, from my
parents’ families to those of the new in-laws as our children have
married. With preeminence for the Stars
and Stripes—reminding us of the attraction of this nation—our family unity
makes enjoyment of those cultural influences an enrichment, in our clothes, in
our menus, in our games and sports, in our traditions. I see that in other families. In much the same way, the constitutional
foundation of our republic fosters a commonality upon which a cornucopia of good
things thrives.
A republic requires several things that we find
necessary, embedded in our Constitution.
It requires freedom of religion, free speech, private property, a market
economy, separation of powers, a federal system of government, among other
things. God Himself implores freedom of
religion on His earth, free hearts with devotion to be freely extended to Him
and expressed in love to His children. A
market economy means that we are free to exchange our time, talents, and
resources with one another, without being limited to choices that only the
majority favors, hence the incredible selection of goods and services, often some
only favored by a few (like my argyle socks).
The Founders understood a principle of governance also articulated
in scripture:
We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and
disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they
suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion.
(Doctrine and Covenants 121:39)
Best to reduce the chance, especially should one profess to represent the majority of the people. Safer, as in our federalized republic, to divide such power. I recall Senator Phil Gramm, for whom I worked for many years, saying how frustrated he was when first elected to Congress at how little one person could accomplish in Washington. He added that after a while that gave him great comfort.
