To the editor:

Nowhere in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States of America will you find the word democracy.

James Madison was the primary author of the Constitution and is often referred to as the “Father of the Constitution.” He was also the author of the Bill of Rights and wrote over half of the Federalist Papers. In Federalist No. 10 and No. 14, he wrote how pure democracies are DANGEROUS. James Madison reappears in the landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review. Marbury vs. Madison, 1803.

The Founding Fathers were in favor of establishing a CONSTITUTIONAL REPUBLIC whereby representatives were elected by the citizens. In essence this prevents mob rule by a simple majority. A constitutional republic provides for checks and balances between the three different branches of government.

Thomas Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence that was drafted in 1776. July 4, 2026 will be the 250th anniversary of this historic document. As American citizens we owe it to ourselves to read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. If each of us would take the time, read these historic documents and learn how each branch of government functions, we could celebrate this Fourth of July as united Americans rather than divided.

J. Joe Herynk,

Lawrence