Cord Byrd: “Senators for themselves can, once again, if they ever have read, read what Madison says about a democracy and what he…”

“Senators for themselves can, once again, if they ever have read, read what Madison says about a democracy and what he says about a republic. In those two essays, Senators will find the distinction between a democracy and a republic. I believe this should be required reading on the part of all Senators and all other public officials, essay No. 10 and essay No. 14 by Madison. If Senators want to know the difference between a democracy and a republic, turn to those two essays. Madison is quite clear in the difference. Saddam Hussein has now had 11 years since the end of the gulf war to rebuild his war machine. New military action against Iraq would be costly in terms of national treasure and blood. It is exactly because of these kinds of considerations that the Constitution vests in Congress the authority to declare war, and the responsibility to finance military action. We have heard Members of the Senate on both sides of the aisle express their support for military operations against Iraq. The case has yet to be argued, at least in any serious detail, or in open debate before the people. Bold talk of chasing down evildoers, stirring patriotic words, expressions of support for our men and women in uniform, these all have an important place in our national life, but the American people deserve to hear why we need to be an aggressor, why we need to risk the lives of their sons and daughters, why we need to take preemptive action against Iraq. Now, perhaps we should do so.…”