"People often say that, in a democracy,
decisions are made by a majority of the people.
Of course, that is not true.
Decisions are made by a majority of those
who make themselves heard and who vote -- a very different thing."
by:
Walter H. Judd
(1898-1994) Minnesota legislator, physician, missionary, and orator
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No truer a statement!
 -- Terri Crabbs, Fowler, Ohio     
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    Interesting thought that the minority can actually be the represented majority; if you were Waffy-boy, wouldn't you want to have an outside codex of laws wherein the "voting majority" couldn't infringe upon the rights of the individual or actual "majority"? It only makes good sense to reason a body of law wherein the majority cannot tamper, legislate against, infringe, or meddle...
     -- Logan, Memphis, TN     
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    mmm, ok - sometimes. The current bail-out comes to mind. Special interests do persuade with an inordinate influence - there being no observed foundation of natural law.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    We could add that decisions should be made by those who make themselves heard and who vote and can THINK. If this were so we would vote most of the politicians in D.C.out of office. I've always been against these get out the vote campaigns as they are usually designed to drag the no nothings to the polls. We seem to think that every Tom, Dick, and Harry should be allowed to vote. This is nuts. I'd start by refusing the vote to any person on welfare. Years ago in Texas we had a poll tax. I believe it was a tax of $1.75 which you had to pay or you could not vote. This is one tax that I would vote for, the only one. Nowadays the Dems will drag people from under a bridge to the polls, to vote democrat , of course, and they still adhere to the old Chicago rallying cry, "Vote Early and Vote Often".
     -- jim k, austin     
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    The true majority in fact do not support Republicans or Democrats. I say, if less than 51% of the people vote, then the majority should get their way -- none of the above! How can anyone with a conscience vote for the lesser of two evils? Evil is evil, and I won't vote for it. Ooops I forgot -- it is the Electoral College that elects the President (talk about a minority!). Our vote is just an opinion poll -- an opinion they have spent millions on cultivating to justify the enforcement of unConstitutional statutes.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Right-o.. which is why the people with brains, morals and consciences should VOTE.
     -- Anonymous     
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    The " lesser of the evils" is just a term used when you don't care for either candidate. While I am not enamored with either candidate, a McCain administration will do far less harm than an Obama one.It would be lovely to have a choice between two fine , upstanding candidates of flawless character, but I live in the real world and it is what it is. We have a chance with McCain, none with Obama.
     -- jim k, austin     
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    I knew Dr. Judd and his family personally as my family farmed the ground that was owned by his family near his birthplace of Rising City, Nebraska and attended his funeral in Surprise, NE. He was a man of unusually high intellect and never made a statement that he didn't believe whole-heartedly. As a young boy, when he would visit his farm, we always were amazed by his worldly experiences and his ability to relate everything that occurred globally back to all of us here in the U.S. Many more times than not, his thoughts were right on target.
     -- Zach S., York     
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    I am holding a Christmas card which I have saved for many years. It was "To a very great lady!"-- my mother-- from Miriam and Walter Judd. Dr Judd was a good friend of my mom and dad, and when I was young I remember his telling Dad of his experiences in China as a medical missionary. I will share Dr. Judd's quote on the Christmas card to Mom, in which he quaoted from the last verse of James Russell Lowell's great poem: "Truth forever on the scaffold, Wrong forever on the throne. Yet that scaffold sways the future And behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow Keeping watch above his own. -- Lowell--" Dr. and Mrs. Judd were wonderful people. His words, and the words of others he would quote with attribution, are still true today. John Wallace Hamilton, St. Petersburg, FL
     -- John Wallace Hamilton, St. Petersburg FL     
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     -- John Wallace Hamilton, St. Petersburg FL      
    The need for change is always in the past, the ability to change is always in the present, and the hope for change is always in the future! Having said that we have the ability to change the method our children will cast their vote in the future, if we can just see the need to change!-Born to do battle, drafted at birth!-Michael E. McKinzy, Sr.-10-27-2010
     -- Michael E. McKinzy, Sr., Overland Park, KS     
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    Thank you John Hamilton for the quote from Lowell's poem. Some things concerning threads of truth woven upon " The Scaffold '', Solomon's scaffold. 5x5x3, which he stood upon and preached from at the dedication of the temple. Used in one accord with the " weavers beam" spanning All time, past, present, and future. Likened to the heavens themselves, for it is heavenly. Such is the mind of Christ by the Creators design. Such is set in harmony with nature and natural laws of graduation declared in the heavens. A mirrored image. "Wrong forever on the throne" on the other hand, lacks foresight. The Day Star does rise in ones heart, as becoming rooted and grounded, may grow up into Christ, even the head. The words of Peter and Paul, with the same conclusion. The Day star does fly from the beginning to the end. " His going forth is from the end of heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it:" Ps 19:6. The light is very bright, with a golden glow, brighter than the noon day sun ! The object of, the " new creatures awakening. The guiding eye and a chain to measure by, so stated by Solomon and his father David. Illumination given to Peter's followers, a sign for them to know Who bears the rule. But for Paul and those set at Liberty with him, study is required for approval, walking by faith, hoping for the appearing. Visitation is key, most never consider with whom they speak, or who it is that speaks of total forgiveness with them. Kipling puts it this way, " When a man is paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins". Liberty simply put. Mysteries seep from the sides of eternity through the mouths of prophets and artist. Tokens of things unseen, yet always present. Teach me then the things I see not, O Lord my Creator. " The law of the lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." " Moreover by them thy servant is warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." We walk at Liberty to edify our Creator and to ascribe righteousness to our God.
     -- Ronw13, Oregon     
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