democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Mullins, Bill AMRDEC]

Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

The subject quote came up today.

It's usually attributed to Benjamin Franklin (but I've also seen it
ascribed to Mencken).  (When attributed to Franklin, it is often
followed by "Liberty is a well-armed lamb/sheep contesting the vote."

The earliest I've found it is:

Marvin Simkin "Individual Rights" Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles,
Calif.: Jan 12, 1992.  pg. 2 (ProQuest)
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to eat for lunch."

JOSEPH M. JOEB, "Neighbors made daily life a joy"  The Tampa Tribune -
Tuesday, March 3, 1992 p. 4 (NewsBank)
"Sulphur Springs, of course, was later swallowed up by Tampa in a
fashion much like two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for
dinner. "

James Bovard, "Nemesis of the nectarine" THE WASHINGTON TIMES -
Saturday, AUGUST 29, 1992 p. B1 (NewsBank)
"The USDA's concept of democracy reminds one of the old joke: Democracy
is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner."

Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org