Morgan_L

I believe that democracy is a system that has become more of a fantasy now than actual reality. When most people are asked to think of "good citizens" and different things about democracy they often describe a utopia. While this would be ideal, it is not how it really works no matter how hard anyone tries. Yes, it is about doing your part and helping out around the community and putting your voice out even further when necessary but no one is perfect.... there will always be problems and "bad citizens" to deal with. Also, democracy is ideally a set up where anyone can speak their mind and will be listened to just as fairly as the next. Today, however, with money equalling power and ruling everything around us, it seems to be only those with it who have a say in what happens to everyone. This creates many difficult situations because how can someone who has never been in a certain place, like poverty for example, set rules for "what is best" for the people in it? The poor are the ones who know what they need to survive so they should be the ones speaking up about it not the wealthy people who have had money all along and don't know what they are talking about. So what needs to happen to fix this? Do we just keep going along trying our best to be "good citizens" and hope that everything will fall into place one day? Or do we stand up for those who are shut out due to their so called lack of power? And if we think we have no power? What then? I believe that EVERYONE has power no matter what your superiors like to tell you. Majority of the people in this country know how to read and write so use that power! And if you don't then chances are you know someone who does so write letters, write to newspapers, show up at town council meetings, talk to people who are higher in government than you, even talk to your neighbor! Even the smallest bit of conversation can turn into something huge so use your freedom of speech and see what can happen... that's what it is there for and if everyone gives it a try then maybe that democratic utopia can become closer to reality than just in our thoughts. I believe..... do you? (403)