William_T


 * I believe ** democracy is the ideal form of government in which all nations should strive to create and utilize. The idea of empowering a nation's //citizens // rather than selecting dictators or fully-empowered officials sounds fair and justifiable, yet there are still people who are kept silent as they are part of the minority. It is a citizen's responsibility to practice and protect their rights, whether or not they believe they can make a difference in their community or if they fully deserve such rights.

The idea behind a democracy is having //every // person within the system striving to better **themselves ** and their **nation **. Opposing views on topics are natural, and necessary. How can we better ourselves as a whole when only part of our community is heard? Wouldn't that be improving a select part or portion of us?

How can one person in a nation of millions make a difference? One person cannot change the minds of politicians or elected government officials. The greatest characteristic of our nation is that the controlling power does not reside within our //leaders //, but within our //constitution // and our //citizens //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">. In a nation where majority rules and minorities are often left without a voice, one citizen raising his or her voice can make all the difference in a world. They must work to influence the decisions made by the people, not by the leaders, as the citizens of a democracy are the empowered in a democracy.

By influencing the citizens of a democracy, one is influencing the most powerful force behind such a system. Would influencing the minds of government officeholders be considered corrupting their opinions and thoughts? Should it be considered that? The great thing behind a democratic nation is that one has the right to have an opinion and express it, and they also have the right to change their opinion after hearing others’ ideas. After all, a democracy is a government by, for and of the people, so if the power resides within the citizens, one must strive to influence the decisions made by the citizens. Influencing a government leader is not corruption, but rather unnecessary and pointless.

Citizens have the right to be heard, along with the right not to be heard. One cannot undermine the power of a small group of people, as the minority has been and will remain to be our only light towards improvement, purification and perfection. The thought of a limited number of citizens striving for change is the fuel and driving force behind a democracy, and where can a democracy go without the ability to move forward?