Fighting For Change: Calling A Spade A Spade

WE ARE SO FOND in America of calling the United States a democracy that it bears reminding, from time to time, that in fact it is not. Our mistaken belief derives from several sources, first among them is that our country, in many respects, closely resembles a democracy. then too, from our earliest childhood we are all told, repeatedly, by authority figures to whom we look up, that this country in fact is a democracy - and, credulously, we believe it, and keep believing it, throughout our distinctly undemocratic lives. We vote often, on many issues. WE seldom git in any trouble with the government because of what we say or do. the trouble, usually if not always comes from our friends and coworkers. Which brings us to another common misconception, that we have free speech, everywhere. In fact, we do not; congress, now meant to mean "government" cannot limit free speech; anyone else parents, teachers, and employers, may. the votes we cast are all but meaningless, because the candidates and issues are chosen for us, by the same elite group whose possession of most politically and economic power in America renders our nation a "plutocracy", ruled by the wealthy, and not a democracy", rule by the many, by the people at large. Like many great thinkers, among them Aristotle, James Madison, and many others have noted; you can have a democracy, and you can have great economic inequality, but you cannot have both. Political equality requires economic equality; otherwise, the wealthy rule, having purchased the government, like they have in the United States. On almost every issue, in america, the will of the people is ignored, and replaced by the will of the wealthy. nothing could be more obvious. To change this, to change the system and bring actual democracy to our country, fundamental changes of a revolutionary nature will be required, and will thus require a de facto revolution, if not one in the streets. Economic equality can be increased by raising wages on the poorest workers, and by installing a progressive tax system, in which the very wealthy pay their fair share, as defined by experts. A nine word law would take the money out of politics, and give poor people a chance to run for office: "The sale and purchase of political advertising is prohibited". We could and should eliminate the electoral college, which, contrary to what you may have been told, was created not to give small states more equal power, but rather, to give all power to the wealthy, and to limit democracy. It becomes obvious that much could be done to foster actual democracy in america by making a few basic changes, but those changes, because they are fundamental, will be met with overwhelming opposition, from our elite wealthy ruling corporate masters. this is why we the people must all get involved, and fight for the necessary changes, online, in the media, at the ballot box, and if necessary, in the streets.