Is The U.S. Really A Demoracy?

With all the Bush rhetoric about freedom and democracy, it is important to reflect upon the meaning of democracy.

de·moc·ra·cy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (d-mkr-s)n. pl. de·moc·ra·cies

1. Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
2. A political or social unit that has such a government.
3. The common people, considered as the primary source of political power. Majority rule.
4. The principles of social equality and respect for the individual within a community.
   

Government by the people and for the people? What about lobbies?

lob·by ( P ) Pronunciation Key (lb)n. pl. lob·bies

1. A hall, foyer, or waiting room at or near the entrance to a building, such as a hotel or theater.
2. A public room next to the assembly chamber of a legislative body.
3. A group of persons engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause: the banking lobby; the labor lobby.

"Lobbying", the sanitized euphemism for corruption, has become part of everyday political speak without any outrage at its significance. Lobbyists are those who use money to undermine the demoractic will of the people. In other countries, money that is used to buy favors is called a "bribe" - in the U.S. it is called a PAC donation.

The media openly discuss successful lobbyists with no shame because Americans have been de-sensitized to the rampant corruption that lobbying represents. The insurance industry fights efforts to make healthcare affordable to the majority of Americans, but people continue to believe that their representatives represent them. Contrary to widespread public disagreement, Bush is moving forward with his plans to privatize social security, a move that serves the interests of his friends in the banking and securities industries.

Governor Schwarze-nazi of California, the world's fifth largest economy, has sold the golden state to the highest bidders. He has accepted more than $1 million from insurance interests, which he rewarded with "reform" of workers compensation law. He accepted more than $1 million from health care and pharmaceutical companies and then vetoed a host of bills that would have helped Californians, and the state government, purchase cheaper drugs in Canada.

Schwarze-nazi's first act upon entering office was to repeal an increase in the car-registration fee, a top priority of auto dealers and vetoed legislation, termed the "Car Buyer's Bill of Rights," that would have cracked down on questionable practices in the auto sales industry. He also campaigned for a ballot measure backed by car dealers stripping away consumer groups' right to sue when dealers break the law. Why this zeal to protect car dealers? The automotive industry has given Schwarze-nazi more than $1 million. And, after all this, he accuses teachers and nurses of being "special interests".

How can democracy exist if the government is for sale to the highest bidder? How can the U.S. be called a democracy if the government does not answer to the people but, rather, to corporations? Is there a point to vote if your elected representative is more interested in your insurance company's interests than yours? Corruption is not compatible with democracy.