We're not a democracy. We're a representative republic. Big difference.
This can help with a lot of these questions:
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=66411
More info:
http://www.wallbuilders.com/resource...p?ResourceID=4 (ignore the religious propaganda on the site, otherwise it gives the general idea)
And, the ultra-short version
- "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!"
Benjamin Franklin