What's the biggest threat to a democracy?

[ColbertWatcher]

Okay, first off, yes, yes, yes, America is technically not a democracy, but a democratic republic. Okay, I will concede that off the bat. Having said that, we still do many things democratically, like the voting and whatnot.

This question comes about from some observations of the GOP, who despite the results of this past election seem to be determined to impose their "unique" version of democracy on the very people who rejected their party, their policies and their ideology!

They're still pushing the idea that they are still relevant. They still want to cut taxes for the rich, they still want whatever taxes that are paid to go to their corporate donors! It's as if the election didn't happen and they've magically transported themselves to the imaginary "success" that was the Reagan era.

Of all the things the GOP has pushed, what do you think is the most damaging to the idea of democracy?

I reject your claim that the GOP has ever done anything to damage democracy

[fascisthunter]

1. The Biggest Reason: Influence of Money

[ColbertWatcher]

10. Could you elaborate a little, please? n/t

[fascisthunter]

14. I'll Try... Start with How Campaigns are Financed

Politicians accept money in order to run against an opponenet who also takes money from private special interests, such as the Automotive Industry, Big Oil, Tabacco, Telecoms, Military Industrial Complex, Insurance, Pharmaceutical Industry, etc...

When politicians do this, they are most likely going to repay those who helped finance their campaigns. The amount of money that influences policy making in this country is what makes our vote almost meaningless. My vote, your vote are considerably less valuable than any big donor's... a corporation has the right of Freedom of Speech due to it's fictitious corporate personhood..

We need to remove money from the process, but too many are too comfortable making a profit off our politcial system, so I don't see it changing any time soon.

All candidates should be publicly funded with the same amount of money and the exact same amount of visibility. That would be a start. The private sector has way too much influence on our government as well. Lobbying needs to be dealt with as well. But the problem with my solution is, too many politicians in both parties take too much money from the private enterprise and like it that way.

[ColbertWatcher]

16. Okay, good arguments. n/t

[Hannah Bell]

25. best answer.

[mdmc]

2. anti-intellectualism IS democracy

corporatism is the enemy...

[ColbertWatcher]

3. I disagree.

A good democracy depends on an informed populace. If people believe being uninformed is okay because of an atmosphere that encourages anti-intellectualism, then you get FOX, Bush and Sarah Palin.

[navarth]

4. correct. a dumb populace is the breeding ground for totalitarianism.

[mdmc]

6. I agree with that

but, in terms of your poll, I voted against corporatism, as I don't think those that refuse to believe in dinosaurs are really a threat to democracy in the same way that corporatism is.

corporatism gives us two - corporate parties - one disgustingly corrupt, the other less so.

Or to put it another way - most people don't vote - don't care. That is their choice and I respect that. If we were really intellectuals, wouldn't we get rid of the electoral college and more to instant run off elections, et al?

[ColbertWatcher]

8. ID-creationism is a part of propaganda.

It's the promotion of bad information to the next generation of citizens.

As far as getting rid of the electoral college, the populace can be for intellectualism without everyone having to be intellectuals.

[KG]

5. the choke-hold of the two-party system.

[ColbertWatcher]

9. Could you elaborate a little, please? n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. All of the above, plus the Whore Media

I suppose that falls under "propaganda", but it's specifically propaganda under control of unrestrained predatory capitalism.

We seriously need to undo everything done since 1980. This bullshit started when the Bush Crime Family returned to power with Reagan as frontman. They weren't "supposed to" lose in 1976, but they did, and they spent the next 4 years designing the way they would change the country for the worse, once they got back into power, with the goal of a permanent corporatist state that benefits only the few. Some parts of that agenda, like a 98% complicit media, took some time and additional laws to bring about. That shit all needs to be undone.

[ColbertWatcher]

11. I can go along with that! n/t

[Arugula Latte]

12. Corporate control of the nation.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. Lazy citizens

who think they don't have to do anything to make democracy work.

[ColbertWatcher]

17. Good point.

This is why progressives will always be on the forefront of our brand of democracy.

Conservatives are too cautious and want to keep things they way they are; they're contentment breeds laziness.

[dysfunctional press]

15. keeping the population down with religion and under-education.

nt

[debbierlus]

18. IGNORANCE of the people

[Chan790]

19. Stupidity is the only threat to Democracy.

All other factors are merely a restatement of stupidity.

[MilesColtrane]

20. I would add media trusts as another danger.

Even if election reform weeds out fraud, the people voting must be able to make an informed decision.

That's impossible when a handful of companies control television, radio, newspapers, and the internet.

[bertman]

21. NOW all of the above PLUS the failure of the citizens to become active, informed participants

in the exercise of democracy, aka voter apathy.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

22. Two things:

Stupidity and laissez-faire capitalism.

[Snotcicles]

23. I would add, NO INDUSTRIAL BASE. nt

[ColbertWatcher]

24. Aha! Nice catch!

And with the automakers on the verge of collapse, the industrial base will be removed completely.