Editor:

I somewhat sympathize with the author of the editorial, “Too little time to consider special Senate election” (Dec. 2), but it was known from last spring that Tom Garrett was running for Congress and at one time there were four contenders for the Republican chance to run to replace him. I would assume that those in other parties interested in running would have been making plans, also. True, there is little time between our regular election and when the General Assembly starts, but that is the nature of this beast.

But the real issue that I have with this editorial and all the media outlets who are constantly repeating incorrectly (twice in this case), is that we are a democracy, which we are not and which, also, our founding fathers found to be repugnant. Democracy is rule by the majority, or more simply put, two wolves and a sheep deciding what’s for lunch. It always ends in tyranny. We are a republic, if we can keep it, as it is under attack, primarily from the under-education of our Constitution and civics. A republic has rules, our Constitution, that protects the minority.

It has been said lately, if our presidential election was solely democratic, only California, Texas and New York would be making that decision.

Richard Altice

Farmville