Ben_S

Democracy, a belief, an idea. I believe that something so important is a lot easier to define in grammatically incorrect thoughts, who doesn’t love a sentence fragment? Democracy, the word means everything to present day American life. It is society, equality, a habit. It is a lifestyle and a condition. Its what has become a normal thing for everyday American life. This I believe. I believe that democracy is powerful, and important. I believe that it holds us together. Democracy is a government where the people hold the supreme power, yes, but I believe that the people’s power is very limited. For presidential elections we get to vote on a candidate for each party, out of a few choices, and then a president out of the two candidates left. That’s like, every day, choosing between a scrambled eggs with ham or scrambled eggs with bacon. Everyone has their say in the choice, ham or bacon. And they choose. But some people don’t like either of them in their eggs, some people like their eggs with cheese or with pineapple or with pork. Some people don’t like eggs. We call them anarchists, but why don’t they have a say in anything? I believe that a real government of the people would have a more even system of electing a ruler. I believe this current democracy of America is good, but I belive it could be a whole lot better.

I believe that we could improve the system, the process that holds us together. I don’t think we should get rid of it. Some may say socialism is the answer, but I believe that destroys the symbol of America’s freedom. So you may say that you like the way it works. You’re content with ham or bacon. I believe man would not even care. Some would just reach for whatever the hell they wanted every day. But I believe that it is a huge limit for the freedom America promises. On the other hand, I do believe some restrictions are necessary. Laws need to be placed. And laws are placed, good ones that make sense. I also believe immigration is natural to America but we cannot cling onto the past here. There are some things that need to change. Immigration and overcrowding are becoming more of a problem, and illegal’s make debates on important issues harder, such as health care. I believe America works, but what of the poor, the homeless, and even the middle class who can’t afford health care for their dying son. I believe change is in order.

I believe that we have been living under a constitution adopted by America in September 1787, well over two hundred years old. This constitution has served us well and kept the country together, it has kept the fibers of America and its citizens tightly meshed, woven together and strong. However, I believe that things need to change. Since the adaptation of the constitution, Congress has passed 27 amendments to the Constitution. The definition of democracy and the changes to the limitations of equality have changed radically since then. People are different. I do believe that the Constitution is right and that it is necessary, but I also believe that it is outdated. I know many american citizens would say that it would be too radical a movement to change something like that, a move so big that it would destroy our process of belief. Some others would say we need something to tie us together while we are facing war and economic difficulties. But I believe that we cannot hold onto the document that defines our values, laws and conditions of citizens in this country just because it is such a large piece of our history. I believe amendments are not enough. I believe a full revise of the American Constitution would strongly benefit America. But maybe that’s too radical a change for America to handle.

I believe that democracy is a working system. I believe that everyone has power in it. But I also believe that the power is very limited. I believe it could be so much better.