Letter: We’re a republic, not a democracy

I’ve read in several letters to the editor that our American democracy is being threatened by the current administration.

But what these writers don’t seem to realize is that our country is not a democracy, but a republic.

By definition, a pure democracy is a form of government where the citizens make the laws directly, with “majority rules” being key.

A republic, on the other hand, is a form of government where the citizens elect representatives to the legislature to make laws for them. So while our country does have some democratic elements, such as voting for legislators via “majority rules,” or implementing state initiatives, it is truly a republic.

It should also be noted that our Pledge of Allegiance doesn’t include the word democracy, “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands ....”

Although it can be difficult for us Americans to agree on various political issues, we should all at least be able to agree that our country is a republic, which is in conflict with a democracy.