Lulled into a sense of Sovereignty

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine this morning and I came up with this little catch phrase. What does it mean?

We look to the government to solve all of our problems. Are we surfs? Are we all under the dominion of a monarchy?

ARE WE A DEMOCRACY?

The answer to these 4 questions should be ... NO!

We are a Republic.

Democracy from Encarta:

de·moc·ra·cy (plural de·moc·ra·cies)

noun

Definitions:

1. free and equal representation of people: the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government, often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the majority of the people

2. democratic nation: a country with a government that has been elected freely and equally by all its citizens

3. democratic system of government: a system of government based on the principle of majority decision-making

4. control of organization by members: the control of an organization by its members, who have a free and equal right to participate in decision-making processes

[Late 16th century. Directly or via French <> democratia <> dēmokratia "rule of the people" < dēmos "people" + kratos "rule"]

Republic from Encarta:

re·pub·lic (plural re·pub·lics)

noun

Definitions:

1. political system with elected representatives: a political system or form of government in which people elect representatives to exercise power for them

2. state with elected representatives: a country or other political unit whose government or political system is that of a republic

3. unit within larger country: a constituent political and territorial unit of a national federation or union

4. group with collective interests: a group of people who are considered to be equals and who have a collective interest, objective, or vocation ( formal ) the republic of letters

[Late 16th century. Via French république <> res publica "public matter"]

Now, what are we?

We are a Republic. We elect leaders to serve in our stead. We are NOT a Democracy.

Now that we have that straight, and we know we are not a monarcy, then why do we have all this discussion about what is the government going to do for me?

-End of Ramble