What Is Democracy?

[DoYouEverWonder]

U.S. Constitution

The Benchmark of Elections

Elections are the central institution of democratic representative governments. Why? Because, in a democracy, the authority of the government derives solely from the consent of the governed. The principal mechanism for translating that consent into governmental authority is the holding of free and fair elections.

All modern democracies hold elections, but not all elections are democratic. Right-wing dictatorships, Marxist regimes, and single-party governments also stage elections to give their rule the aura of legitimacy. In such elections, there may be only one candidate or a list of candidates, with no alternative choices. Such elections may offer several candidates for each office, but ensure through intimidation or rigging that only the government-approved candidate is chosen. Other elections may offer genuine choices--but only within the incumbent party. These are not democratic elections.

http://www.usconstitution.com/Elections.htm


This is why fair and free elections are so important. Without them you can not have a democracy. This is way we can't let BushCo get away with committing these crimes a second time. Too much is a stake.

[Pseudofool]

1. Democracy is...

The most effective myth in the history of mankind to maintain the dominant, elite paradigm.

All elected officials must have means (money, time) of campaigning, eliminating working class and poor.

Democracy relies on the availability of information; since the airwaves, newspapers, etc have always been owned, so this never happens.

Democracy gives us the illusion of choice. It is only now that we see how devasting our political system can be and how hard it is to call into question a system that gives us choice.

[Elise]

3. As one who is disgusted by

the repuglification of much of the Democratic party, I am very interested to read more from you.

Do you believe a workers' party (i.e. some kind of socialist party) would be more fair and, if so, do you believe such a party could overcome the corporate ownership of the 2-party system and actually win in the USA? If you believe the latter, what do you suggest be done in order to either change the Democratic party as it now stands or in order to form a viable majority party for the people of the USA?

Thank you in advance.

[Trillo]

2. I agree with you. Without fair elections, there is no democracy.

Unless there is some substantial electoral reform, I frankly won't ever be voting again. There is no point in playing a manipulated and crooked game.

The very sad thing in all of this is that if people can't change their government peacefully, what other ways are left?

I'm very disappointed in MSM in their coverage of this issue, and will not be resubscribing this year to C-band satellite delivered CNN, FOX, and MSNBC. A vibrant and independent media is necessary in any democracy, and it appears that the news media of today, in many of its various forms, has been hijacked by forces of darkness.