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isn't supposed to be the people who are in control not the government...

Just a question. I remeber my history teacher/soldier taught me that…..if thats true…..then…why….do they have so much power….im really confused about that

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Answer #1

Our government is not a pure democracy. Rather, we are a constitutional republic with a system of checks and balances. Power is shared among the legislative (congress), executive (president), and judicial (courts) branches. Our current political system is largely driven by money; politicians have to spend a significant portion of their time raising money for their next campaign. There are a few very influencal individuals who contribute huge amounts of money to political causes. On the right, the billionaire Koch brothers contribute huge amounts of money to further conservative political causes while on the left, billionaire George Soros contributes huge amounts of money to liberal causes. Moreover, corporations, associations, and labor unions can spend unlimited amounts of money on politics. “The people” only have a little indirect control through their vote. Most Americans don’t even bother to vote and those who do are often convinced to vote against their own interests by clever marketing. Our government is evolving into an oligarchy or rule by the elite and some cynics would say a keptocracy or rule by thieves.

Answer #2

It may not be perfect, but I am satisfied that Western democracy works reasonably well, and a lot better than most other alternatives.

Politicians declare their intended principles via a manifesto, and “the people” either accept or reject them via an election.

Democratic rules observed in creating the “Electoral College” ensure that the wishes of the greater majority of “the people” are implemented to a greater extent.

The elected politicians only have a mandate to govern for a previously determined “term of office” after which they risk being dismissed by the electorate, if they have not performed adequately, whereupon they may be replaced by others who are undertaking to a better job, at the behest of “the people”.

“The people” have the ultimate power to appoint, or reject, their governments so long as we remain a democratic society. The government does not have the power to appoint or reject the people.

I am inclined to think that, here in the UK, our Ministers do a pretty good job during their terms of office.

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