The future of -real- democracy

I believe it's greed and power. Humans are not content to sit back and enjoy peace. The greedy among us will rise up "against" the world, and take power from the peaceful.

The "Government" is out of control. The administration sees it's self as a privatly held corporation (by them only).
The most frightning statement I have ever heard is "I'm from the government and I am here to help you"

The Government is out of control because we don't care.

The US is not designed to be a democracy, contrary to popular opinion. It is a democratic republic. While it doesn't work perfectly it does work.

Personally the idea of unchecked 'democracy' is more scary to me than a "benevolent" dictator. Unchecked democracy will either descend into anarchy/mob rule or/& the power vaccuum will inspire someone crafty to make a power play to become absolute ruler.

To me, the current form of limited democracy still looks like the best solution to the many potential problems with any form of government. I believe the ability of big money to influence who runs, and wins elections has grown to a point where we need to seriously curtail this distorting effect. While it is clear that limiting campaign contributions gets into the realm of constitutionality, I don't think we have any choice, if we are to dethrone the real King; The super-wealthy. Public funded politics needs to be made the linchpin of a new distribution of power, away from those that can, and do, buy it.

Since voting every four years doesn't cut it for you any more, what are you doing besides writing articles on Gather? Action does speak louder than Words.

Well tI think the people themselves should take back some of the government and have more athority in making desicions about whats right and wrong for the country. we have too much government today and shouldn't be me, myself and I, but rather "US" And as for Children; when they are young and even intheir teens,if a woman has to work she should, but if she is not alone and her husband works and makes a decent living for the family she should be nurturing her own children and not someone else. This doesn't make women not equal but when she has to work that's different. But our children are our future if we are to have one. I am not with anyone and get very little to live on so I need to work but my children had me all their lives till they were grown. I am alone now and need to wrok for the extra income. I have no one but myself now to depend on. that's the difference. Anyway I can see where you are coming fromand I agree with you. And by the way; wel all get too much tax on us for everything so we can't live well but the big guys sure can. my opinion

You know, I read articles and comments bitching a lot about the President, but never about members of Congress. Except perhaps Lieberman that decided to run as an independent heaven forbid. They seem to have no accountability anymore, yet hold great power. Your power.
We delegate by default, too much perceived power to the executive, even when it is about things he/she has no control over. Anything happens, and the first words are what is the President going to do. If it is perceived, there will be an attempt to use it. If you want to see real change, see about what your Congressman or Senator is up to first. They represent you and your state. They create and approve laws. Pay attention to them and what they are, or are not doing to your liking, then bitch or praise the President. All this blind party loyalty for one or the other, and what party (instead of who) is going to be in the White House in 2008 won't change a thing.

VERY INTRESTING READ. WE LIVE IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD BUT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. IMPROVEMENT STARTS WITH US AND YOU HAVE GIVEN US ALOT TO THINK ABOUT.

I agree with you, Claude. You make some very good points in this article. An eloquent exposition...I tip my hat.

I agree most with this:

"Parents send their children, their flesh, to relative strangers to have them watched (at the kindergarten) while they work their life away to make someone else financially independent.

They basically dump their most precious gift, in life, every morning in a "facility" where they learn part of the most important values in their lives.

Parents want to do the right thing but frankly, is this what's best for their children? Seriously. Think about it."

Democracy is an inherently unstable form of government; America is a republic with elements of democracy. The reason that democracy doesn't work is that once the majority starts voting itself benefits (which the minority are expected to provide), it breaks down. Also, the rights of the individual and minorities are imperiled by what John Stuart Mill called "the tyranny of the majority." I do support initiatives to give citizens more democratic input, such as recall and initiative. But if you want a better kind of democracy, try free-market capitalism (not the crony kind we have today). Self-government (and limited government) are the best American ideals we can aspire to; Claude's democracy has a place here, but only if individual rights are rigorously protected.

as we adopt democracy we never practiced it in its real sense. though elections are held every 3 years here, same politicians stays in power and pass it to their kins which made me think we are in "democratic dynasty".

vote buying is rampant and that is how you are elected in here. election education is needed where most of the people are illiterate and lack information. but who will do this? the governement? who are runned by politicians?

so much negativity. let's all make it a point to go out and vote, every election--no matter how small.

You are 100 per cent right .Iwish that all the problems could be fixed as simply as writing about them.Our leaders Know they are putting it to us but simply do not care.Someone said "kill all the lawyers" lets add the polititions,but who would take over? Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

I would recommend term limitations. One five year term is plenty. If you can't achieve your objectives, or convince others to keep them going after you're gone, in five years, then you probably won't in 20 years either. I'm sick of Lifetime Politicians like Ted Kennedy and Jesse Helms. Also, how about disqualifying lawyers to run as lawmakers? All they do is write laws with loopholes that give the superwealthy more tax breaks. Let's bar preachers and lawyers from public office because it's a conflict of interest.