The John Adams Society

A. G. Chin

Chairman

Joshua R. Regnier

Secretary

G. Larry Colson Jr.

Chief Whip

Katey Haflund

Chancellor

FEBRUARY 2014

The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter.

― Winston Churchill

DEMAGOGUES have come to power by chance as well as through brute force in the past, but in the modern era the rights of the ruler have become derived entirely from a contest of demagoguery.  The tyrants of this era employ an army of propagandists to conjure the whims and emotions of the populace appealing to the lowest common denominator.  A mob coming together to agree to steal the possessions of their neighbor may be wrong according to the natural law, but an elected official carrying out the same act can be revered as a moral crusader while collecting a modest fee for the facilitation of this transaction.

Universal suffrage has given the common man a stake in the selection of his prince, creating the illusion that he is a part of a state whose actions he may be completely ignorant of, and perhaps is not even allowed to know about.  Though he may believe he is free to choose, the iron law of oligarchy remains.

ON THE OTHER HAND, what other method could there be to select ones ruler?  Even if it is the case that one has come to power completely through deceit, there is at least a limitation to the duration of this violation, and thus an opportunity to correct that mistake at the end of the term.  The alternative remedies to the ballot box are also far more costly, and unpleasant.

THE CHAIRMAN, out of fear of being labeled a tyrant following his reelection, has called a debate to settle the question.

RESOLVED: Democracy is Tyranny.

The Debate will be held on February 19, 2014, at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o’clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. There is no dress code, however gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies are encourage to adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand several remarkable selections. Questions regarding debate caucus procedures of about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 564-5185 or the Secretary at (651) 321-8414.