"Democracy: The lessons of history" by Miles J. Unger | July 19, 2008
Miles J. Unger is author of Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de' Medici.
AMERICANS TEND to be smug about democracy, assuming we invented it, or at least perfected it. Historians use the phrase "American exceptionalism" to describe this belief that we have something unique to offer the world. It is a messianic impulse whose most recent iteration is the attempt to export our values to the Middle East over the barrel of a gun.
In practice, the system of government by unskilled amateurs encouraged the formation of a shadow government, dominated by a cadre of wealthy and powerful men ultimately dominated by the Medici family and their cronies whose expertise was necessary to the proper functioning of the state.
Which is what we have had for, well, EVER!!!
The low approval rating of both the president and Congress suggests citizens' alienation from those who govern.
Problem is, neither Bush or Congress give a shit!
The formation of a permanent and professional political class - a concept anathema to both Athenians and Florentines - means that most Americans no longer see this is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
We aren't so stoo-pid after all, are we?
True democracy requires a level of engagement long missing from our political system. It demands that we be citizens, not merely voters.
After the elite spent so much time propagandizing us and dumbing us down?
And when I DID TRY THAT (protesting the war, working for Ron Paul) and, well, YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, right, asshole?
Americans barely possess even the minimum requirements of citizenship, like keeping ourselves informed on the issues of the day. Recent surveys suggest our shocking ignorance of both history and geography.
And, WHOSE FAULT IS THAT, shit government education system and shit AmeriKan MSM!
Those countries we hope to remake in our image might be more inclined to follow our lead if we could actually locate them on a map."
How about NOT DOING THAT AT ALL, because I've noticed that OCCUPIED COUNTRIES and their citizens DON'T LIKE IT ANYWAY, no matter what flavor horse shit the MSM peddles!!!!
