Now I could do a lengthy column about the threat of the excesses democracy — of basing laws on race and sex — of mobs robbing stores — of electing to the Senate an imbecile after he had a stroke. Ours is a constitutional republic that protects individuals from the savagery of mass hysteria. I grew up watching cowboy shows where a sheriff stood up to the crowd alone to stop the lynching a man charged with murder. Invariably, the accused was innocent.

But this is not excessive democracy. The people do have right to govern themselves. The people elected a new majority to the county commission because they were dissatisfied with the results of the previous one.

The willingness of the commissioners to sit and listen to people to vent in the public comment period is praiseworthy. It is a sign of patience and understanding. I just hope the commissioners had cushions and good bladders because those wooden seats are uncomfortable after a while.

That reporters did not like hearing about God and country does not make the speakers wrong for saying that.

[This is representative democracy at work, as Don notes. The WaPo and Politico reporters he cites are not angry because democracy is actually at risk. They’re angry because democracy produced outcomes they didn’t like. Makes one wonder what the REAL threat to democracy is, eh? — Ed]