Six Reasons the U.S. is NOT a Democracy...

  Many Americans refer to our style of government as a democracy.  This isn't exactly true nor is it exactly false.  Here is a list of the reasons the United States is not a direct democracy:

1. Direct democracies do not protect the rights of the minority.
• In the United States, votes count, but no vote can take away the rights of a group those voting in the minority.
• Can you think of an example of protecting the rights of the minority? 
2.  In a direct democracy, every citizen votes for everything.
• In the United States, we elect representatives to make most government-related decisions for us.
• Can you imagine what it would be like if we all voted on every issue?  What do you know about the electric bill in Congress?  Should we pay it or not?
3. The term democracy is not mentioned in the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution!
4. No direct democracies have ever existed on the national level.
5. The power of the government is limited by the Constitution, regardless of how Congress or the President votes.
6. Many high-ranking government officials are not elected!
• The nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
• No one in the military is elected.

  Assignment:  Using materials from class lecture notes and your readings, compile a list of the reasons why the United States is considered to be a democratic government.