Yesterday on the Corner, which is a blog published by the conservative National Review, John Derbyshire started to question this whole “democracy” thing.

He quotes a commentator who observes that, unlike the American Revolutionaries, conservatives cannot use the rallying cry “no taxation without representation” because, well, the American people do have representation and voted—overwhelmingly—for a more progressive approach the economy.

The commenter suggested a solution: “Methinks an appropriate cry today might be “No representation without taxation.” That would eliminate over 40 percent of the electorate, leaving the productive 60 percent in charge.” Derbyshire agrees:

For sure, decade by decade, universal adult suffrage is looking like a worse and worse idea. Unfortunately, as with term limits (a very good idea), the people who get to vote on it are mostly the people who benefit from the status quo.

Looks like some at the National Review only like democracy when it is going their way. Unfortunately for them, things are not looking good: ours is the most progressive generation when it comes to the economy and social issues.

We should show the National Review that their failed economic ideology does not inspire votes because it works for only a small sliver of the population (roughly the same part that was helped by poll taxes).

Call your Senator today and ask him or her to pass a progressive budget for 2010!

(As a side note, people who can and do still use the rallying cry “no taxation without representation” are the residents of DC, who have no vote in the Senate or House of Representatives, and face Congressional interference in what would be state decisions anywhere else in the country.)