The word 'Democrat' as an epithet. . .

Our founding fathers - to a man - lothed and abhorred direct democracy. Hey, that's why we have a "Republic" in the United States today.  A Republic designed by men - apparently smarter than we - as a 'firebreak' to protect us all - from the tyranny of the majority.

In fact  "... the term "democrat" originated as an epithet and referred to 'one who panders to the crude and mindless whims of the masses." (Joseph Ellis - "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation").

Not only was the word "democrat" a pejorative - it was "fighting words". Inferring that someone might be a democrat could just as likely result in a duel as mere scornful invective.

Fast forward to election season - 2008, where partisans proudly announce; "it's a democrat year."  And, on Election Day they wait; giddy and trembling with anticipation for the 'great wisdom' of the mindless masses to wash over us.

At what cost to our beloved Republic is ignorance?

Perhaps the word Democrat is no less an epithet today as it was some 200 years ago. Though - my guess is - that many of those so self described would see themselves as "agents of change" rather than as simple "dumb masses".