Constitution Day, September 17, 2009

Democracy to me means civil and social justice for every citizen regardless of race, gender, class, sexual orientation or religion. Civil liberties, based on the Constitution should be upheld for all. Having the ability to speak ones mind, practice any religion, question authority and freely publish our thoughts means so much to me as I look at other countries where democracy is struggling, Consitutions are just being written and people are persecuted and killed just for trying to be free. We should all cherish these civil liberties that we as citizens of the U.S. have.

Professor Molly Mugglestone
Politics and Government Department

I admire the wisdom of the framers of the Constitution. They understood human failings and the need to ensure that democracy didn't degenerate into mob rule. There are certain things that citizens may not do via their right to vote. Some of the most important things are enumerated in the first ten amendments to the Constitution...The Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights restricts the power of the government to infringe on basic human rights such as the right to free speech, free assembly, free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, et al.

I think that Democracy means that everyone actually gets an equal right in making decisions on a certain topic, that involves mass numbers or people.

KP

To me Democracy means that the people of the State are entitled to have a say in the proceedings of the government. It means that justice will be brought by the people, as will injustices. That the people of the State have a responsibility to speak for those without a voice, and to make educated decisions when voting.

To me i believe democracy can not be explained with words. Democracy is the one way that people can strive for happiness without the injustices of tyranny restricting the people. Democracy in America is not yet quite perfect but as it looks now, democracy has a bright future in the world. The power to change what a person sees not fit in government and to also not be held accountable or given consequences by your words. Thus also democracy has given birth to what is today the most powerful nation in the world!

Democracy to me means a government ruled and exercised by the people who can elect others to represent them. Democracy allows citizens freedom and individual achievement. All Americans recieve the same amount of equality and Constitutional rights. People have the power in a Democracy and are allowed to make their own personal decisions.

Democracy to me allows a large group of people o make many different choices while still being able to agree on other choices. It allows for a diversity of people to come together. Although there are some cons to it, I believe that the pros outweigh the cons.

Democracy in the United States has come a long way since it was first developed in the late 1700's. Numerous ethnic groups have struggled for equal rights and citizenship through our democracy. Luckily, the United States had now granted all citizens regardless of race or gender full rights. Our democracy is still not perfect and probably never will be, but that is the goal that the United States constantly strives for. Many take for granted the great freedom we have today through the democracy of the USA.

To me, Democracy in the US is a chance for all people to participate in politics/government say and how the laws of this land should be written. However our democracy only goes far as the people in the US participate in it. We elect our officials to represent usin the government, however many people in the US do not participate in any such voting of representatives as well as on propositions. Therefore everyone's say can be acounted for and it is only for those of a certain age to vote. It is also hard in the US to have a full democracy when the most information about the government and ideas of the politics are when good amounts of information are not revealed to the general pubic, to help inform the general public about their decisions

Democracy it it's fullest, to me, means that all people of race, religion, AGE, sexs, et cetera should/do vote to make the government be, what the whole popularity votes the majority on.

To me, Democracy is the freedom for each individual to make decisions and be able to vote on important issues. It means average citizens like you and me can have a say in the making of important government decisions. Even though our democracy isn't peferct and has its faults, it is crucial for this country to keep thriving and moving fowrard.

What democracy means to me is the chance for everyone to have their voice heard. It means not being afraid to voice your opinions or beliefs and having the ability to say them out loud and be proud of them. It's about having the right to criticize the government if you think something is wrong and being able to stand up for what is right, and to not be punished for it. I'm proud to live in the USA where democracy is a part of our lives and although many may take it for granted, it is what we base our lives upon and it is extremely important.

I believe in democracy, but I also strongly believe that democracy is a work in progress. I believe in justice, but I also know there is greed driven corruption within our democracy. I was able to participate in democracy for the first time this past election and saw for the first time the majority of our nation taking part in a process that is integral to our systems overall function. Democracy is not a spectator sport. I believe that we are lucky to be ‘free’ but that the word freedom has a different meaning to everyone. My generation, however, needs to participate more in democracy in the sense that we don’t protest when we disagree with legislation, because usually there is little motivation to. I have never thought positively about democracy until this current administration because the previous administration completely annihilated the Constitution.

To me Democracy means people get to live their lives freely as long as it doesn’t interfere with someone else's rights.

Democracy to me is having the ability to vote officials into office. It is also having the ability to freely speak my mind whenever I feel like it's necessary. I also have the ability to choose many of the daily things and I'm not forced by the government to do anything.

Democracy means to me that people are able to do what they want every day because of how far we have come as a nation.

Andrew Archuleta

Everyone should be extremely thankful that our nation gave us a constitution that gives each person the rights we obtain today. Although it is not always perfect and it has come from a very violent past, those who died for what they beleived in made a huge impact on our lives and the lives of thier children like they attended on doing.
    Tony Montoya

     Democracy to me means that freedom isn't free, and that we as Americans are in debt to thousands of soldiers, dating back to the American Revolution, for our rights as Americans.

Democracy to me is a government ruled by the people for the people. It's easy to say that but when you look into it it's much more difficult. There are so many different parts of democracy that without one part another part wouldn't be able to happen. I knew it was complex but not this complex. I am still amazed by it.

Democracy means that somewhere along the line, we lost sight of the constitutional republic that the Founding Fathers created.

On the subject of democracy, James Madison said this: "Hence it is that such democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths. Theoretic politicians, who have patronized this species of government, have erroneously supposed that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they would, at the same time, be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their passions."