Did you know the USA isn't a Democracy/?
968724
Cool. Seeing as the UK is an elective autocracy, maybe we should both have spread a bit of democracy at home before liberating the rest of the world?
653218
If you're asking if America is a democratic nation, then the answer is yes.\n\nThe United States of America is actually a democratic republic.  It is a democracy, in the fact that there is direct election of representatives.  However, these representatives are the ones that actually make the decisions, the ones that make the laws (hence the Republic).  \n\nA republic is a form of government that has a special "class" or elect that make the governmental decisions (laws, etc) that govern the nation.  In our case, the elect are the representatives and senators at the federal level, as well as your local representatives (state, local) that make the decisions.  \n\nBecause these members are elected, then we have a democracy as well.  However, a true democracy would require the votes of everyone on every issue (direct democracy).  It would be a little bit tough with a population of 300 million.
901318
american people are not american gov.  ,dont  mix people & gov.
990091
good question.  i've been in countries where there's a soldier on the corner with a machine gun.  yet when i have a cup of coffee with one of the locals they admit they perceive the US as a police state.  it's a quandary.  there is a lot of crime here.  the terrible thing is the more rules and laws, and the more police, the more crime.\n\nin a democracy the level of freedom is determined by voters.
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
233558
Like stated before, US is a flavor of democracy but ...\nthere are many aspects which aren't consistent with democratic principles. \nOne would be the lack of transparency and games of interests. Guess you've noticed how many decisions taken by the elected administration have been done behind the back of the people they are supposed to represent and protect. Creating an atmosphere of insecurity, furthering own interests, limitations of civil liberties, etc ... these are signs of a totalitarian system, not democracy. Maybe some infrigements on liberties are necessary in the current sstuation but that doesn't mean they are acceptable in a system that wants to appear democratic.\nAlso the relativity of freedom. A very small part of the media is actually free because those members of the media that aren't subjects in a race for profits serve the politicians. The result is that media doesn't want to inform the people, it wants to give them what sells best. This way the people aren't free because they won't be fully in touch with what happens around, they aren't fully controlled either, just in a state of half-thruts and sometimes deceit. Biased info, govt cover-up attempts (like the failures in Iraq, secret prisons, etc), these aren't part of democracy.
37196
Democracy is a form of government where the people make the decisions. People mistake the US for a democracy, but we are not. We select the people that make the decisions, and this is what a republic is about.
666360
The United States is not a Democracy.  It is a Republic. A Democracy is generally thought of as being ruled by the people.  We elect representatives to "rule" for us. It would be too hard to run a country as a true Democracy.  All the people would have to vote on everything.  However, We do hold the democratic process, and the people, in high esteem and try to run the country by what most of the people want.
1147744
I wasnt aware of that , but I am now thanks to you........keep educating me, I am for Americans as much as you are!......Power to the "real" people!!!!
638551
Some of the countries who have the power of veto aren't democracies at all.\nChina is not a democracy for example.\nTo answer your question, America is a capitalist country and are attempting to promote democracy because statistically, the more pro-American democracies there are in the world, the richer America gets. Get it?
480023
Any type of government is a game for politicians, no matter how you look at it. And not all of us think democracy is good, I don't. After all, it got George Bush elected. Besides, democracy is basically one of the easiest games for liars, and we certainly have a lot of them in this society. We Americans tend to push our views on other people, we're like the big bullies of the playground. We refuse to see other societies views. Sometimes what seems the best isn't.
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.
897502
its not america that i know\namerica of freedom
795655
The USA, but it's not true.
423903
Yes democracy is.The people are the legislature in a democracy.
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.
130946
Hey .. hey .. wait a minute \n\nWhat .. Democracy .. is it Georgie W and Mafiooooos kind of Democracy ur talking about .. ??\n\nIt is non of ur business anyway ..