Americais is a polity, not a democracy

I will argue this, I dont care that we are arguing this anymore. Dc1: Republic and the oligarchy So my opponent agrees with my argument, up until the election part. (run by corporations) But this argumentation is inherently flawed. So looking into your source, we see the majority of these donors actually run investment companies. [1] His argumentation is based on these corporations run everything. Now how is my investment companies analysis important? 51.6 million households own investment stocks. 90.2 billion. 44% of US households are investors. Most Americans invest in stocks. Now, again how is this important? If anything, this ends the majority of my opponents arguments. "In short, it isn't Barclays (a larger manager of index funds), Capital Group (which runs the American Group of funds) and FMR (the holding company for the Fidelity Funds) that controls the world – you do, via holdings in mutual funds, both through retirement funds and in brokerage accounts. This is no secret cabal; this is the capital markets at work, allowing everyone a way to save for college, a new home and retirement."[2]So its you that controls the field. My opponent then argues SOPA was supported by big companies, sure but bad example as that is a scenario where 4 million google petition signers where worth more then the MPAA or other entities. [3] This refutes his premise, as this shows the mad populous can control the government over lobbyists. He then cites CISPA. This will likely be shot down too, as the ACLU is up and arms against it. There are almost 1 million petitioners against it (800,000). [4] It will likely be shot down because of this too. And Obama has also threatene to veto it if it passes. [5]Further, my opponent adds the NRA. There are 4.3 million members in the NRA that will likely support those gun laws the NRA pushes, and many other Americans would likely support that legislation too. [6] 68% of America support the NRA. [7] NRA was a bad example. Also my opponent talks about gun control, lets not even get into that ;)My opponent then cites the big banks, my analysis is above about investments on this. Its the people in control then. All of my opponents analysis is flawed, as the biggest donners to congress are in fact investment companies, which is still in your control. [2] Further this is refuted as if people dont like SOPA they will petition, and politicians would rather have public support for votes to win a second, third, fourth term. My opponent then lists two points. 1) My opponent then argues the EC is bad for america, yet forgets the EC creates a consensus and ALMOST ALWAYS (I can only think of once, 2000) shows the will of a majority. And even the 2000 election does not prove oligarchy, as this few was only less by less then 1,000,000 votes. So the EC does not strip rights, if anything it gives rights. "The electoral college is a bulwark of states' rights yet, perhaps paradoxically, it also tends to foster the cohesiveness of the entire nation. It makes it difficult for more populous urban states, or states with larger populations, like New York, Florida, and California, to gain an unfair advantage over less urban and populous states like North Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. But neither does it give these less populous states an unfair advantage over the more populous states."[8] So if anything it is MORE FAIR and more like the land of the free. 2) My opponent has failed to show the two party system hurts a republic as there is still representation. Further people that believe in third party values join the two party system. Example Ron Paul. The two party system does not equal oligarchy. Dc2: Republic My opponents claims are without a strong vote as the corporations, we cannot hold government accountable. This is false. The US constitution helps us hold them accountable, as do other laws and regulations. Most public servants are bound by these laws, get sued or arrested, or lose their job in an election (the only one you refute, but miss the other ways). "Constitution, or statute, can empower a legislative body to hold their own members, the government, and government bodies to account."[9] This always, regardless of lobbying, makes them accountable. And recall elections too. Much of the time Exon Mobil wont waste time on a small election. For federal powers we rarely see these elections, they are impeached or they step down due to media attention. Hey, look at this media made congressmen wiener step down. Guess who controls the media? Without you, they are nothing, same with the corporations. You can always therefore link accountability with the people. Dc3: electionsMy opponent extend his analysis, I will do the same. Dc4: Liberties My opponent cites two bills that he claims infringe liberty and refute the premise, yet this fails for a few reasons. 1) Threats to the state override the constitution due to public safety concerns as well as the governments concerns. Its a states interest deal. Further the people arrested like this are sometimes let out. Further some liberties are expanding in the same area, water boarding is now illegal. [10] "ITA researches, monitors, and analyzes all source intelligence on terrorist activities and threats directed against Americans and U.S. diplomatic and consular personnel and facilities overseas."[11] As the state thinks people are in danger, its the states interest to intervene. And guess what? States interests trump the constitution when it is strong enough. 2) 42% of america is for the patriot act, 34% against. Rest undecided. [12] Now a poll on international problems (NDAA bill and patriot act fit in that category) The run down is like this: Fair amount - 43%, Great deal 11%. [13] That's already over 50%, no need to continue. So popular will still overrides this, so its still by the people for the people. CONCLUSION:My opponents arguments are highly flawed and have been refuted, america is a republic as our electors are elected. Republic definition - "a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them."[14]As our vote is what actually what is comes down too (our choices choose who is in power) we are a republic. VOTE CON. P.S. Even if my opponent wins the analysis on corporations, he still loses the debate as the constitution protects their right to donate via amendment one, so it is again bound by law. Also a republic has many governmental branches, oligharcys dont. [15] @ voters: USSR = oligarchy, so is the US like the USSR?[1] http://www.usatoday.com... [2] http://www.forbes.com...[3] http://en.wikipedia.org...[4] http://www.huffingtonpost.com...[5] http://act.demandprogress.org...[6] http://en.wikipedia.org...[7] http://www.huffingtonpost.com...[8] http://www.lewrockwell.com...[9] http://en.wikipedia.org...[10] http://en.wikipedia.org...[11] http://www.state.gov...[12] http://pewresearch.org...[13] http://www.gallup.com...[14] http://dictionary.reference.com...[15] http://www.csmonitor.com...