If you Americans want to use the word "democracy" as much as you do, you should probably know a few things about it.

"Democracy" was first brought into theory by the Greeks. The Greek theorists were familiar with, and put into words on many occasions, the idea that the majority of people were not capable of "running things" - but they were also familiar with the fact that the majority of people are prone to violent revolution when they feel they are being overtly manipulated (this being a matter of pride). So the most idealist Greeks came up with this idea of "democracy": a system in which a "bunch" of people - landowning Athenian males of reputable standing - established the laws that were to apply to "all" the people. It practically implemented the cherished idea of the Just Mean, and at the same time gave comfort and security (i.e. complacency) to those whose voices were not heard - because surely their opinion would be shared with someone in the aforementioned "bunch." Surely someone would represent their voice.

And here I have to stand up, my fellow Americans, and reiterate this tedious fact once again: that "democracy" is just as much an idealism as socialism or Marxism, despite what the British would have to say; that it was devised, and exists today, as a fig leaf under which can safely and undetectedly operate the mechanisms of despotism and unnatural aristocracy; and finally (and most importantly), that it promises equality where there is none, so that us individuals will fight against ourselves rather than take responsibility for the state of our Union.

This, my fellow Americans, is the state of the Union: you're all riled up and scared shitless. And you probably have "democracy" to blame.