by Biloxi Von Lutz

Created on: October 16, 2009   Last Updated: October 19, 2009

Although the United States of America is technically a Republic, or a system where the people elect officials to represent them and then the officials vote on the issues, I do believe that our current system will still be around in 50 years, and I suppose that is the question posed in this article. In order for the U.S. to be a true Democracy, the populace would have to vote on issues rather than representatives of the populace. It's easy to see how that could be quite a logistical nightmare. As a country, we've been through far more trying times and our system of government has remained relatively unchanged. The government has grown exorbitantly and intrudes far deeper into our lives than the forefathers ever intended, but the system they set forth in the constitution to elect officials and their governing methods are virtually the same.

In many respects, the U.S. has actually become more democratic and inclusive. There was a time when only white landowners could vote. Then blacks were given the right to vote and then in 1920 women gained the right to vote. Today nearly every American citizen over the age of 18 can vote. The only people not allowed to vote other than minors, are convicted felons and those who have failed to register. This means a much larger cross-section of the United States is represented in Congress than previously.

The U.S. has survived several wars, primarily the war between the states, that have challenged its political system and still it has survived. An entire portion of the country attempted to secede and when that failed, it was successfully brought back into the fold to prosper. I can't imagine any scenario where the people of this country would permit another system of government to be instituted and I certainly can't imagine any invading force succeeding and implementing some sort of dictatorship.

Our political system was designed to prevent a "tyranny of the majority" where a section of the country could just walk all over another section with less representation. It's worked with great success thus far and I see it continuing to do so for many years to come. The downfall of our country will not be our political system but our lack of fiscal responsibility. The United States will bankrupt itself long before there's any chance of another political system taking over.

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