U.S. Congressman Speaks Favorably of Monarchy

The Honorable John Shimkus, United States Representative from the 19^th district of Illinois (GOP) reportedly told the State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL):

When I taught government and history by definition, what is the best form of government, the most simple, is a compassionate monarchy - a monarchy that loves and respects its citizens and … is able to make easy decisions without the weight of a bureaucracy we’d have to fund.

It should be noted that the Congressman, reportedly, taught at a private high school.

While I certainly would not put out the ability to make decisions easily as the foremost advantage of monarchy, and while I have certain problems with what the Congressman otherwise says to support his being "democracy guy," this Congressman from Illinois must be commended for making such a statement. In particular, he should be praised for his courage, especially since the interview was published on the American Independence Eve.

I would add though that the bureaucracy you find in those United States today hardly brings one to think of small or limited government, or "land of the free" for that matter.

Congressman Shimkus' statement has caused a few comments, not only at the site of the State Journal-Register, and a lot of them are quite hostile. Apparently, there are a lot of ignoramuses who make comments when such statements are made. The ability to distinguish between monarchy and dictatorship, e.g., is seemingly not impressively present. It is even claimed that monarchy is the "least limited government known to man." Some obviously need to be made aware of – or reminded of – some words of Prof. Dr. Hoppe:

[D]emocracy is worse than monarchy at keeping the size and reach of the state in check.

Comments on said United States Representative's statement can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.

What is it with these Americans? Yes, I'm well aware that not all of them are like that, but a lot are.

For the record, I am perfectly aware that the American Republic was not created a democracy. I am also aware of the (dubious) claim that those United States still are not a democracy. Yes, the popular majority's representatives are not necessarily in power, but that goes for almost any representative democracy.