Why do people who say "We are not a democracy, we are a republic." not understand that a republic is a specific type of democracy?

Oh, it’s like the parallelogram-rectangle-rhombus-square thing!

Being one of those people…I think I’m just echoing what other people have told me (history teachers in particular). I’m fairly sure I learned somewhere along the line that a republic is an indirect democracy, but it didn’t stick.

Quite a few bits of knowledge I have I learned from others…I don’t always investigate to makes sure they’re not misleading me.

at times, i am one to say something along the lines of “We are not a democracy, we are a republic.”

i understand that our government is a FORM of democracy, but I think it is important to distinguish a general form of something into its specific form.

I can say “cereal” for a general term. but if i am being specific and ask for cornflakes and get cornpuffs, im not gunna be happy (i really hate those things! yuck!)