A concern which pointedly reveals the variance of the United States' form of democracy is without a well educated citizenry, democracy becomes the election of the celebrity de jour. With the merging of Hollywood and Washington, the fastest way into public office is to create your media persona and promote oneself. No leadership required. Check the polls often and adjust one's public voice. Promise what seems most popular to the masses and don't worry whether follow through is required if put into office. That's just stuff of opposing commenatator's fodder for later and makes for one's name appearing more often in the newspaper. Most voters cast emotional votes based on what they have been "fed" in campaign promises and biased newspaper reporting instead of seeking out the truth for themselves. That takes education, committment to government responding to you and not you responding to the false images supplied by government representatives.

Democracy? It is a form of government which demands educated, well informed citizens who want to lead themselves. Otherwise, power hungry ego driven professioinal politicians replace citizens who want to serve. Checks and balances can be voted out. Civil rights can be replaced by redefining words and creating new categories of persons outside of any legal protections. Erosion of laws and rights do not require revolution, just an uneducated citizenry not closely paying attention to the "adjustments" being made in the name of safety.