You mention 3 main pillars of a democratic republic; I think there are more than that. Two you don't mention, but which are fundamental, are a belief in the value of institutions (like Congress), and confidence that justice is for everyone, and can't be bought or manipulated. These two are front and center right now as they're both under…
You mention 3 main pillars of a democratic republic; I think there are more than that. Two you don't mention, but which are fundamental, are a belief in the value of institutions (like Congress), and confidence that justice is for everyone, and can't be bought or manipulated. These two are front and center right now as they're both under attack, straight out of Putin's playbook (or the playbook of any autocrat, for that matter). The Repubs are destroying Americans confidence in Congress, and Trump continues to assault the justice system; he's doing to it what he did to the office of presidency, riddling it with doubts. I've said this before, but it bears saying again: "Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes..." (Song of Solomon 2:15). That's your dilemma in the U.S. now - you've got Putin's henchmen riddling everything your people have cultivated for years, being destroyed by the "little foxes" of lies and doubts.
I ask that if you wish to insert your own opinions into one of Thom's articles Don't do it by starting with a negative, such as "Two you don't mention"
Personally I don't see how belief in the value of institutions like Congress, and confidence that justice is for everyone fits into the there core pillars" The three core pillars that hold up democratic republics are a vibrant and free press, trustworthy electoral systems, and academic independence..
Thom's three core pillars, are things (the press, electoral system and academic independence, where your two things are beliefs and values.., not pillars, a fourth pillar would be a fair and equal justice system. Lots of luck on that one, from the Hanging Judge of Ft Smith, Arkansas, Charles Parker to Aileen Cannon and Merrick Garland.
Belief, however is not a pillar of anything, except religions.
You mention 3 main pillars of a democratic republic; I think there are more than that. Two you don't mention, but which are fundamental, are a belief in the value of institutions (like Congress), and confidence that justice is for everyone, and can't be bought or manipulated. These two are front and center right now as they're both under attack, straight out of Putin's playbook (or the playbook of any autocrat, for that matter). The Repubs are destroying Americans confidence in Congress, and Trump continues to assault the justice system; he's doing to it what he did to the office of presidency, riddling it with doubts. I've said this before, but it bears saying again: "Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes..." (Song of Solomon 2:15). That's your dilemma in the U.S. now - you've got Putin's henchmen riddling everything your people have cultivated for years, being destroyed by the "little foxes" of lies and doubts.
I ask that if you wish to insert your own opinions into one of Thom's articles Don't do it by starting with a negative, such as "Two you don't mention"
Personally I don't see how belief in the value of institutions like Congress, and confidence that justice is for everyone fits into the there core pillars" The three core pillars that hold up democratic republics are a vibrant and free press, trustworthy electoral systems, and academic independence..
Thom's three core pillars, are things (the press, electoral system and academic independence, where your two things are beliefs and values.., not pillars, a fourth pillar would be a fair and equal justice system. Lots of luck on that one, from the Hanging Judge of Ft Smith, Arkansas, Charles Parker to Aileen Cannon and Merrick Garland.
Belief, however is not a pillar of anything, except religions.