‘Democracy’ is accurate description

In his July 8 letter to the editor, reader Jim Thompson admonishes other readers here — “esp. Democrats” — that “the USA is not a democracy, we’re a republic.” In truth we are both. While we’re not a strict “direct democracy,” we are a “representative democracy,” yet operating simultaneously as a “direct democracy” in the form of ballot initiatives and referendums since decisions are made directly by way of our votes.

Some states and municipalities also allow our direct vote to enact, change and repeal laws. That’s pure democracy at work.

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Noah Webster have all called us a democracy or even “constitutional democracy” at times in their writings, and three Supreme Court justices have done so, as well, in written opinions.

While I consider myself to be an independent, I’d say Democrats — or anyone else, for that matter — are in pretty good company when they use the word “democracy” considering who these individuals are and their importance to our unique American form of it.

Keep up the good work here, Daily Herald writers and editors, and thank you! Your paper is a trusted and important source of information for both my family and the greater community at large.

Karen N. Parmelee

Naperville