Are We Free?
This letter to the editor, by Laurie Harmon, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on July 2, 2026.
Many claim that America is a “republic” but not a “democracy;” some even publish on social media using ALL CAPS and exclamation points. No matter how they say it, though, stating that “America is a republic not a democracy” makes no sense. It’s like saying “I have a labrador, not a dog,” or “I’m not wet, I’m covered in water.”
The two are inseparable. Simply stated, our government is a democratic republic.
The greatest problem facing America isn’t that some people don’t know our correct form of government, but that President Trump and congressional Republicans govern like they don’t know.
In 1787 our newly created Constitution allowed citizens to elect representative officials to make decisions based on the democratic principle of majority rule.
The Constitution also established a system of checks and balances. The legislative branch has the power to enact laws, control taxing and spending policies, establish taxes and tariffs and declare war.
The judicial branch interprets laws and the Constitution, hears criminal and civil cases and ensures the rule of law.
The executive branch enforces laws passed by Congress, provides a Commander-in-Chief and appoints officials necessary to help run the federal government.
Our Constitution also relies on federalism, where 50 semi-autonomous states manage themselves largely free from interference by the national government. Traditionally states have had the power to manage public education, control voting laws and establish police agencies to preserve the rule of law.
Tragically, we have a president who is destroying the system because he believes Article II of the Constitution gives him the power to do whatever he wants and the Republican Congress supports him. They’ve given him the power over taxation, tariffs, spending and full power to wage an undeclared war.
Our government is not functioning as a democracy OR a republic, let alone as the democratic republic that it is. It’s time for our system to function as it should. In November, vote for democracy. Vote out the current Congress who is not acting in the best interest of its people.