The United States of America is no longer a free democracy. When this idea came into my mind, it startled me, not because of its impossibility but because of the overwhelming truth to support it. Every day, news is uncovered of actions taken that completely disregard the Constitution and, indeed, everything this country was founded on. Every day I see or hear someone being completely ignorant of everything that true democracy and our country are supposed to stand for.
These days, it seems as though everyone has a political affiliation of some sort, even though they’ve never looked at the issues critically. People blindly choose sides in an effort to uphold the American political system, not realizing that this drives the country further away from any viable form of democracy.
The goal of the mass populous, which is on no political payroll, is to remain objective and choose what is best for the country, not for a political party. So many times have bad decisions been made due to a biased mind, and so many times has the country been hurt for it. It’s time to realize that with such a small number of representatives in Congress, we the people should choose the fate of our country.
Speaking of Congress, it terrifies me to see the current state of a position that carries with it such an air of responsibility being used as an easy job with great benefits. I see congressmen more concerned with their own pocketbooks than with the welfare and education of children in America. The sense of duty that the position of congressmen should carry with it is quickly dissolving into nothing more than a cost-benefit analysis on the politicians’ bank accounts.
Finally, what truly democratic country would deem it permissible to force its own political system on that of another country? The only way that democracy can take root in a country is if the majority of the people see it as the best option to take. What kind of democratic country would deem it permissible to spy on its own citizens without warrant or even just cause? The Patriot Act does this and more, allowing political prisoners to be thrown in jail without any evidence or trial. Some of these prisoners spend years in prison waiting for their day in court. What kind of democratic country would see fit to invade two foreign countries, leaving a wake of destruction, civil war and social instability, while contemplating yet another invasion?
In “1984,” George Orwell speaks of a country constantly spied on by its government, a country constantly at war and constantly oppressed by fear. I will end with a question: How much is too much? How far is too far?