Dear Fred,
If we are going to join together with "the world" I believe we will have to accept each others way of speaking. With many languages and meanings I find broad meanings need to be considered and a bit of slack given. It seems most of my communication has some area which may be heard, but is not what I meant. I will try to do better.

U quote me: Re: "I prefer 'democracy' to mean governing by the people."

F> Not only do I agree with that sentiment, I consider it to be fundamental. If there's a difference in our opinions (and I'm not at all sure there is one), it starts to appear in your next assertion:

B> "This means the people have the first say and the last."

F> While I agree with this sentiment in a general way, I believe it is modified to some extent by the delegation of authority and responsibility to representatives of the people. As I've said, and I believe you agreed, "The delegation of authority is an essential part of democracy." For this reason, the integrity of those who represent us is critical and must be the primary object of our electoral process.

By way of example, I'd like to mention the events that transpired in the United States in 2002. Our nation was inundated with reports of dire threats to our well-being in the form of Weapons of Mass Destruction. I could not believe our susceptibility to such an incredible flood of propaganda, and on August 13th, 2002, I was moved to write:

B> Dear Fred, The people must have the first say [right of initiative] which means the people make the plans (instead of the repubs PNAC [www.newamericancentury.org]
and the last [right of binding referendum ]. PERIOD

Certainly delegation of authority is necessary, but if you delegate authority to your secretary to post this email, and he fails to do that, he is accountable to you and you have the right to discipline or fire the dude. You have the AUTHORITY to do so. The PEOPLE would have the AUTHORITY with Initiative and Binding Referendum (I&BR) to discipline and correct any matter they delegated.

Thus I say the people [with I&BR] have the first say and the last.

ATB Bruce

Bruce Eggum Wisconsin USA
www.doinggovernment.com