A recent letter to the editor was unworthy of print as Herald readers are primarily adults whereas the letter was based on less than a children’s dictionary definition of the words “republic” and “democracy.” Such a simplistic definition is useful when one is first learning to read. But it’s superficial to the point of inanity if not insult when used in adult opining.
Likewise the letter’s understanding of America’s Constitution is wanting. It goes so far as to say the United States isn’t a democracy because the word “democracy” isn’t written in the Constitution. Yet from kindergarten on students are taught how and why the U.S. is a republic which operates through representative democracy.
So, by the time average Americans graduate high school, they are familiar enough with the concepts of republic and representative democracy to skip over these basics during political discussion. That the letter displays no understanding of the concepts should have kept it from taking up limited space in the letters section.
Paul Heckel
Snohomish
Editor’s note: Discussion being a foundation block for democracy and the republic, the exchange is welcomed on these pages.
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