‘Democracy’ is accurate

I read Jim Camden’s Dec. 4 Spin Control column, which attempts to give a civics lesson to Occupiers in Olympia. Camden suggested that Occupiers should “lose the chant, ‘This is what democracy looks like.’ ”

He then went on to say “You don’t live in a democracy, you live in a republic,” as if these are mutually exclusive terms. This is a common misunderstanding I wish to address.

Democracy simply means “people rule” and is derived from the Greek words “demos” (people) and “krateo” (rule). Many confuse democracy with majority rule or with a direct democracy. Our democracy is manifested in the form of a republic, a representative form of democracy. A republic delegates the daily responsibility of governing to representatives, with consent of the governed, through democratic elections. We also have a limited direct democracy through the initiative process, which allows us to enact laws through propositions.

The Occupiers were correctly using the word democracy, and are properly reminding their representatives who they serve. The next time Camden chooses to teach others, I hope he has his facts straight.

Clyde Cordero

Spokane Valley