Although the United States government promises its people that they live in a true democratic country, the United States is definitely not a democracy. A democracy by definition is “the government by people. ” However, the United States looks as if it is a constitutional republic, rather than democracy. A constitutional republic is “a state in which the head of state or officials are representatives of the people. ” The United States is a country run by the government officials, not the people, the government is taking away the rights that the U. S. Constitution promises its people, and not all citizens are treated equally or given the same rights.
Therefore, the United States is far from a democracy at this time. The National Citizen’s Initiative For Democracy uses the point that our people do not run our government to justify the fact that the United States is not the true democracy that the government promises it to be. For example, in order to represent our government, you must meet a certain criteria, although it is not stated specifically anywhere.
To fill a government position, you must win the election, which has become a popularity contest over the years. Whoever is mentioned the most in the news, or spends the most money to campaign will have a better chance of acquiring a certain government or political position. The “biggest names” in the country are most likely going to win elections, and most of them have family or are already know government from experience, this does not allow new, ordinary citizens to even become close to entering the government.
There are most likely hundreds of Americans that would make fantastic politicians, however they may not have enough power or money to run for a position in the government. If the United States does not even allow the people to run their country as they wish, then there is no way that the country can any longer be considered a democracy. Therefore, the The United States Constitution promises its people freedom certain rights, that every citizen is entitled to. This is one characteristic that most Americans value most.
For example, citizens are promised freedom of speech by stating, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. ” However, the United States does not practice freedom of speech as it should. For example, officials are arresting those who speak out about their thoughts and beliefs, such as in the public protest against the police shootings in the south.
Americans are also promised the right to bear arn stated in the Constitution, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. ” Therefore, Americans should have the freedom of owning and operating their own weapons at the appropriate time. Like the freedom of speech, the right to bear arms is being taken away from Americans. Every citizen is supposed to be treated as an equal in America, which indicates the same rights given to everyone.
Webster’s Dictionary states that a democracy is an organization or situation in which everyone is treated equally and has equal rights. However, the United States are not treating their people with the respect they deserve, they are judged and treated differently because of race, religion, and gender. These three characteristics take a huge part in how people are seen and treated in all countries, however this judgment has decreased significantly in the past 50 years.
For example, Martin Luther King Jr. tates,”I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. ” King spoke about African American rights and their rights, which motivated the U. S. to change for the better and make treat everyone equal, which worked until a few years ago when more and more conflicts with African American citizens arose. There have been an increasingly amount of African American murders, committed by police officers.
Studies show that a significant amount of African Americans are either convicted, or punished for crimes, while less and less white Americans are charged with crimes. Overall, the United States is moving backwards when it comes to treated all citizens equally, contradicting the “democracy” that the country promises to be. In conclusion, the United States is no longer a democracy. Considering the countless issues on behalf of the government, citizen;’s rights, and how Americans are treated, the United States is going to have to make a lot of changes in order to bring the country back to a democratic state.
