Now for the kicker: Is America a democracy??
347851
America is a Representative Republic, not a Democracy.  Pure Democracy is mob law.\n\nEither, however, allows for a business to be successful.\n\nDon't like the price of gasoline?  Don't buy it.  When enough people don't buy it, the price will come down.  Until then, your comments about oil company profits are at best jealousy and at the worst, illegal.  Any profit they make is legal. Your opposition to their legal profit borders on illegal and, if acted upon, are constitutionally actionable by law.\n\nAs for who represents you, you are getting better representation than you deserve.\n\nYou, and many others, are under the impression that anything that comes out of your mouth is an opinion, whether it is based on fact or fiction.\n\nYou know nothing about the petroleum market.\n\nYou know nothing about what "profit" is being made.\n\nYou know nothing about what it costs to locate, tap, produce, transport, refine, store, distribute and market fuel products.\n\nYet, ignorant of these facts, you make your wild allegations and claim to be better informed and more intelligent than those elected and qualified to deal wsith it.\n\nThe President hasn't forgotten who elected him.\n\nYou have.\n\nWe are trying to be part of the solution, you are part of the problem.\n\nThank you for your time.
909357
With the government set up to be three separate but equal entity's you would think if there wasn't a law there should be. Constitution has gone the way of the do do bird since Bush has taken office. With his signing statements putting him above all laws passed by congress and his illegal and immoral Patriot act and Military act he has set himself up as king. Thank god democracy is still alive and we have elections, or is this the next to go?
765193
Are you even American?\n\nWhat part of American freedom of speech is a non-American entitled to?\n\nYour mentality is poison to a democratic republic.
1086603
The United States of America is NOT a democracy, it IS a Republic.  You should do your homework before throwing out statements like that.  \n\nDo you remember the pledge of allegiance?  "And to the REPUBLIC, for which it stands......"\n\nYou say charity starts at home....then you take a group like the Masons, who donate over $2 million A DAY to charity, and make claims that they are corrupt.\n\nI know you are frustrated, but playing the blame game has never worked, and never will.  Take responsibility for your own actions and get yourself out of the hole you are in.  THAT is the American dream.  Attaining things without someone having to give it to you.\n\nYou are right to question things, but it sounded more like a rant than a legitimate question.  Power comes from knowledge and hard work, not complaining.\n\nIf you want my humble opinion, the problems of this country come from the loss of states rights.  The way the constitution was written, the states had much more control over their government.  Over the years, these states' rights have been slowly removed, causing national burdens and excesses based on irrelevant local economies.  Hint, it has nothing to do the Masons, or Magic Johnson for that matter.
507064
Thanks Professor Adam, I agree with Jerry Seinfeld's analogy myself, it's really brilliant actually. The Dictatorship is coming to a close in November, and Democracy will once again reign in America whether the Republicans like it or not. I think they act like 2nd grade children most of the time being bully's. Life doesn't revolve around rich little sissy's that throw fits to get their way. I am hoping for quite a few indictments, so the Republicans can't forget what has been done to America as a whole. Justice should prevail over might in these cases. Getting along with others takes effort for some people that have been sheltered all of there lives, they really don't know any better I suppose. I think it's sad don't you?
941037
We do live in a republic.  A democracy (means rule by the people in latin) is when the people vote on each and every issue that comes up.  A 'rep'ublic (based on the same word as 'rep'resentative in latin) is when we elect representatives (president, representative, senator, governor, legislator, and so on) to represent us on each of these issues.\n\nNow I do agree with your argument about bringing it to the US.  In the 2004 election only 28% of population voted, as compared to the 70% in Israel, the 78% in Iraq when they first voted.  In fact, with the exception of Britain and France, nearly every democratic country in the world is above 60%.  But the United States, England, and France all show in the low 20's.  Not exactly people ruling, nor even representatives of the population ruling.
892003
i also wonder \nthe swing 2 the democrats must re-new some faith in democracy, doesn't it?\nlets hope the next US election is a darn-sight uncontroversial as the last!\ni didn't realise u could influence the vote that easily with money u can buy the presidency, regardless of votes, strategy or qualifications!\nmore missing votes/voters, hanging chads & more corruption, can't possibly b accepted again, \ncan it?\n\ni'm in the UK and Bush scares the hell outta of us Brits.\nBush Part 3  ( Jed or whoever ) would probably kill off democracy 4 good!
353851
I agree wholeheartedly.  A theory has been stated by Nicholas von Hoffman, "Democracies are always in the right, the United States is a democracy, therefore the United States is always right.  Added to the syllogism is the belief that, since America is the best democracy, it is righter than other democracies."  (Von Hoffman is a Liberal American.)  Likewise, since America was the first to use the atomic bomb, it believes is owns the "rights" to it and energy of the such.  Personally, I think it is like we are halting the growth of a nation.  ALL human beings are allowed to progress, regardless of what the United States has to say about it.  *Of course, if Iran does indeed have intentions to build a bomb, I will eat my words.
344585
I believe this will not happen in my life time. People in the USA believe we already live in a democracy, but we don't. We live in a land of freedoms, but not democracy. If we did, we would have many more choices to vote for in elections instead of being offered only what the two parties offer for the most part. If we were a democracy the people would have more say regarding taxes, how our money is spent and have a press that is factual and not what the prevailing government wants whether it is democratics or republicans. A true democractic society is run by the people for the people. I am 63 and we haven't had that yet since i have been around.
797017
yes. all elected officials have a duty to uphold the constitution over anti-democratic laws. the Patriot Acts are profoundly un-American in part. Hopefully, the manipulation of fear to pass such crude restricitions passed with the election.
1128394
Crikey,\n\nHave you guys ever heard of international law?\n\nGiven that the US was instrumental in the birth of the League of Nations, the current administration has done less for worldwide stability than Adolf Hitler.\n\nWhilst we defend our right to democracy, it is not our right to force democracy on countries that do not want it.  Attacking countries that harbour terrorists, only makes the problems worse.  Yes Iraq has democracy, but at what price...?\n\nIt's funny that a couple of years ago the US was the main source of support for republican terrorists in Ireland.  Why are Iran and Syria any different.
161345
Here are a few of many:\n\nBUSH:In 1945, there were about two dozen lonely democracies in the world. Today, there are 122. And we're writing a new chapter in the story of self-government -- with women lining up to vote in Afghanistan, and millions of Iraqis marking their liberty with purple ink, and men and women from Lebanon to Egypt debating the rights of individuals and the necessity of freedom. At the start of 2006, more than half the people of our world live in democratic nations.\nMY RESPONSE:The Bush administration has way too much faith in elections as a measure of democracy.  Any country can hold elections - if there are still deep underlying problems in the country, radicals will end up winning and taking the country on a decidedly un-democratic path. Just look at the one recently held election Bush DIDN'T mention - Iran, where Hamas just took power.\n\nBUSH:It is said that prior to the attacks of September the 11th, our government failed to connect the dots of the conspiracy. We now know that two of the hijackers in the United States placed telephone calls to al Qaeda operatives overseas. But we did not know about their plans until it was too late. So to prevent another attack –- based on authority given to me by the Constitution and by statute -- I have authorized a terrorist surveillance program to aggressively pursue the international communications of suspected al Qaeda operatives and affiliates to and from America. Previous Presidents have used the same constitutional authority I have, and federal courts have approved the use of that authority. Appropriate members of Congress have been kept informed. The terrorist surveillance program has helped prevent terrorist attacks. It remains essential to the security of America. If there are people inside our country who are talking with al Qaeda, we want to know about it, because we will not sit back and wait to be hit again.\nMY RESPONSE:I'm not sure which previous president he's talking about, but I do know this: I have no problem with the government monitoring domestic conversations with Al Qaeda.  However, I would prefer them to take the LEGAL option, which only requires them to file a warrant within 48 hours AFTER the tap has taken place.  The agency in charge of approving warrants approves almost ALL of them - so if the requests are legit, why not work within the system. Also, according to the "appropriate members of Congress", they never WERE properly informed, which is illegal.\n\nBUSH:Protectionists want to escape competition, pretending that we can keep our high standard of living while walling off our economy. Others say that the government needs to take a larger role in directing the economy, centralizing more power in Washington and increasing taxes. We hear claims that immigrants are somehow bad for the economy -- even though this economy could not function without them. (Applause.) All these are forms of economic retreat, and they lead in the same direction -- toward a stagnant and second-rate economy.\nMY RESPONSE:I'm no economist, but protectionism has had a history of working very well in the past when used correctly.\n\nBUSH:Keeping America competitive begins with keeping our economy growing. And our economy grows when Americans have more of their own money to spend, save, and invest.\nMY RESPONSE:Which is why, when Bush took office, we have a huge surplus, and now we have a deficit?\n\nBUSH:This year my budget will cut it again, and reduce or eliminate more than 140 programs that are performing poorly or not fulfilling essential priorities.\nMY RESPONSE:A lot of these programs are important - if they're failing to take care of essential things, they shouldn't be cut - they should be revamped.  I'm willing to pay a little extra for it.\n\nBUSH:And we can tackle this problem together, if you pass the line-item veto. (Applause.) \nMY RESPONSE:The line-item veto borders on un-constitutional.\n\nBUSH:Congress d
1390
Judging by the last two elections it is evident that the voice of the people no longer exists.\n\nWhat you are currently witnessing is the sad truth of how corrupt individuals have overthrown a good working government and turned it into a dictatorship through manipulation.\n\nAlso another BIG misunderstanding is most people believe that the United States is a Democracy when in fact it is not!  It is a Republic!  A true Democracy (direct Democracy) would allow individuals to directly vote on legislation and do away with Senators and Congresspeople. To learn more, read, "A Republic, If You Can Keep It" - a statement by Congressman Ron Paul. (It is the second link below).\n\nOr better yet click on the first link below to learn more about what is true and what isn't.  It is one heck of an eye opener!\n\n:)\nPeace
1133616
No to the theocracy in the US - but, in the same sense, I don't think we should push democracy on countries that will seriously be thrown into chaos as soon as it is introduced (USSR, China, Vietnam, Iraq, etc.). I think it's very arrogant of us Americans to think our way is the best way for everyone - the only way democracy truly works is if it evolves on its own when people get tired of the way things are being run.
310245
We still vote in the USA we are not a dictatorship. We also have a president that is willing (no matter what kind of crap is thrown his way) to stand up for our democracy and others. Think about not being able to leave the country, have any control over who you work for, or be able to vote.
163952
It is a Republic that practices democracy. Democracy is the idea that leaders are chosen by the people through election, by majority rule. We are a democratic Republic.\n\nNobody claims that the US is a "democracy" (I don't think any government is really called that word). Even in part of the Pledge of Allegience.. "And to the Republic, for which it stands.."
1149550
America doesnot care about publishing democracy in the world and it names  democracy its poison to us..we allready have democracy in our countries which is suitable for our great realign ISLAM .anyone of you thinks that we  do not have democracy and we are not civilized like you ,we see you as immoral people too.we have faith in god.you know nothing about us,go find books talk about Islam and read it then judge who needs the democracy.solve your problems first and our problems its not yours.stupide