...the shortcomings of democracy.

I'm not sure that democracy is the best form of government. For sure, it's far from perfect. But then I suppose, no government is perfect. Every government has weaknesses. I guess it's that I feel that majority rule isn't always good. In fact, sometimes it's downright bad. For instance, slavery was introduced in the U.S. by majority rule, more or less. That didn't make it right. Minorities are often discriminated against simply because they aren't in the majority. Yes, we have a history of gross injustices being perpetrated by the majority. And yes, our leaders are often elected by a majority. But sometimes by an ill-informed and ignorant majority. In other words, if the majority happen to be ignorant, should we still let them decide the fate of our nation? The relatively ignorant masses, for instance, can be easily manipulated. Through sound bites. Conditioned almost subconsciously to do things without much forethought. Without thinking. I saw this happening at the recent political party conventions in Denver and St. Paul. So much of the political rhetoric was just that -- insincere and grandiloquent speech. Much of it disparaging. Meant to ridicule the opponent. Rather than to make a persuasive and polite argument on an issue. Yes, one example of the shortcomings of democracy. --Jim Broede