Is there any hope for democracy?

Question

Let's face it, people on both sides of the political spectrum are pitifully ignorant, and deliberately stay that way. Let's not even mention the fact that far too many people barely have the brain power to tie their own shoes, let alone make informed political decisions. Even the semi-intelligent people can't seem to get beyond their pet issues and labeling people who disagree with them "evil." With all of this in mind, is there any hope for democracy? And please, if you're just going to spout the standard "lefties are stupid" or "rightwingers are ignorant bible thumpers" please answer someone else's question.

Answer 1

I find myself agreeing with you.  My feeling is that Democracy is a useful form of government for smaller political units, where people can have a true feeling that their opinion matters and that their vote really counts. City level at best.  Beyond that, where you don't know your leaders at all, it is a mockery, easily swayed by money and simplistic advertising.

Answer 2

I really believe the only hope that either side is Ron Paul.  I am neither a lefty or righwinger my faith rests with Dr. Paul.  If he loses I will  be packing up as planned and moving to Europe to get away from here.  

People just don't know much about Ron Paul, but once they hear his message it is guaranteed he will restore our once great nation as President.

Answer 3

We can thank the public education system curriculum and standards for uneducated graduates, and for the resultant attack on character for differences of opinion.  

Hope does remain for democracy, though, since those people don't accomplish anything and aren't the majority.  Free speech for productive ends involves disagreeing with the argument, not the person.  

It seems the best assurance that democracy will survive is that cynicism is always self-destructive.

Answer 4

I think so. This forum might be the way to go but it's fun for me. I think the best we can hope for is that people can admit that they don't know everything and that what they think they know can prove to be false over time. I think that's the first step to being able to talk about the issues. I tend to ignore or thumbs down people that are hateful or don't back up their beliefs. I wonder do we have the same definition for democracy. I happen to believe that more people are with each other than against each other. It's when we become in love with our beliefs and ideas that we fail to see that. We lost the big picture. Everyone should be able to agree with each other on at least some level. That's another step. We shouldn't just be looking to reach agreement but we should be working towards a common objective and realize that whatever the solution is it will be imperfect because we all are. It seems the righties are distrustful of government and lefties have more faith in government. The lefties believe the government is there for the people but the righties know that it's not happening and they seem unwilling to try to change that. Look at the money that the right spends. Is it an accident? They are spending the money because it is in their best interest to do so. They are not dumb. They are working against the regular people because they don't care about the regular people. They get regular people to believe that they can become one of them.

Answer 5

YES.

Answer 6

you have definitely hit the nail on the head, and at this present time I would have to say that "friendly fascism" has democracy on the ropes.  I used to think my little saying "we live in a fascist corporate security state within a  military industrial complex financed by a capatalist free-market" was kind of funny,  but the more I read, see, experience I see we're close to living that.  What's even more scary than the neo-cons who may call me a painsy because im against the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is the people who I meet who have no clue whatsoever what's going on, except in the big brother house, or survivor.  And since its most of the people I interact with on a daily basis who are like this,  its almost justified that we lose this gift of democracy.  But since I have kids, I make people around me political whether they want to or not, so at least they may think a little, whether agreeing with me or not.  I try to convert the sheeple in my community, in to active thinking participants, hopefully.

Answer 7

Heh.... I'm also for Ron Paul. I didn't think anything about the "back of the pack" peeps, until a friend had me watch one of his interviews. The guy really makes sense and genuinely seems to care about fixing America. Can't say that about the others.....

As for the original question, yes, there is always hope. However, it is up to us to fix the problems and stop passing the blame around.

Answer 8

It's true that complacency and apathy have had disastrous affects on our country not to mention the slippery slope of inadequate education that is putting our country at the foothills of global intelligence.  Democracy will always have a chance as long as people want to experience freedom of choice.  Unfortunately this country constantly shifts from party to party that sends it reeling in opposite direction causing a swirl of confusion.  Presidents should be allowed to stay in office as long as the people want them.  This forcing people to jump ship every 4/8 years when everything is on a even keel and going well is the most ridiculous political rule of all.  We went from surplus to deficit because the standing President had to leave.  It's dumb!

Another result of that is every ex-president gets full pay for life after leaving office. So not only do the people have to pay for the new Presidents salary but the salaries of every still living ex as well.  This supporting retired politicians with full pay is costing billions of dollars each year.  Bush alone will get 400,000 a year salary for doing nothing for the rest of his life and tack on the cost of Secret Service protection for the whole family and other peripheral expenses.  Does he really need the money?