by Michael Davis

Created on: July 08, 2008

I think that it is important that everybody understand that the United States of America is NOT a democracy. Listen to the words in The Pledge of Allegiance, "...and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands." Because we are a REPUBLIC, there is no truly democratic process and, as a result, Americans can't be able to fully participate in a democratic process. We've seen time after time how the will of the people is over-ridden by the will of the powerful and influential.

A Republic is not quite a democracy because it does not allow all people to weigh in on every issue or policy that affects them. Instead, the people are placed into small geographical groups and elect representatives to champion their needs and protect their interests. The problem of course arises when these elected representatives somehow lose sight of the interests of their constituents and champion special interests instead. That is where the republic and any semblance of democracy breaks down. The people will have the opportunity to elect a new official at the end of their term, but the damage is done and in this day and age there is no guarantee that the new elected official won't fall into the same trappings, again leaving the people without a true voice until term's end.
Can a President win an election without winning the popular vote? Yes, the Electoral College is the ultimate deciding factor in who will be President. I think a few of us may be able to recall when this happened last. Is that democratic? Not at all. No matter what outdated justifications there may be for the Electoral College, it is completely undemocratic. Imagine the most important office in our country and perhaps the world and the people don't have the final say as to who takes that office.
Can the President declare war without the support of the people? Yes, and the President doesn't even need Congressional support. That too is undemocratic.
So, clearly, Americans aren't able to fully participate in a democratic process because there isn't a fully democratic process in which to participate. However, our leaders will continue to spout off about our democracy and how we need to spread it to other countries. Unfortunately, you can't give what you don't have. So, just as there has never been an actual communist country (look up the term socialism), there will most likely never be a true democracy. Our only choice is to not be apathetic toward or lose hope in our government because flawed though it may be, it still does give us some influence. So, we must remain as active as the system allows and be as vocal as we can be to ensure that our leaders have to do what they were elected to do. We aren't a democracy, but we are the best thing going, especially if the people never forget the true value and power of their voices. By doing so, our leaders will not feel comfortable enough to go against the wishes of their people because the people will respond in kind.

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