Is there a problem with democracy?

Democracy is a great form of government. It gives 'power' to the people. Wahoo, how awesome is that! The funny thing is... a lot of people take that for granted. Many people can't be bothered voting in elections or can't even be bothered to read about politics in the news. This is odd because didn't our forefathers wage many wars and make many sacrifices to ensure that everyone had freedom, and to make sure that everyone; men, women, blacks, whites, gays, lesbians, jews, christians, muslims (the list goes on) were treated fairly and equally? Yes, well, I can recall some fighting about that in the past. And that is why we need democracy; to help ensure that those people in power represent the interests of the general population.

But is democracy really all that great? As Winston Churchill said, "democracy is the worst form of government- except for all those others that have been tried." So yes, democracy has its problems. For example, what would happen if there was a referendum on wheather we had to pay taxes? Of course, some people would vote in favour of paying taxes, but I wonder how many people in New Zealand would vote in favour of not paying taxes. Because isn't it 'uncool', or somewhat 'geeky' to want to pay your taxes - people would give you an odd look if you said you had a desperate urge to pay your taxes. (I heard there was a referendum in New Zealand which voted overwhelmingly in favour of not paying taxes which the government just ignored but I can not find any sources for it).

Anyhow, some people do not even bother to vote in referendums or elections. In my opinion, this is poor judgement. Sure, of course your vote probably won't make any difference. But it is your duty and responsibility as a citizen to vote. I would think of having to vote as the cost you pay for democracy and the freedom to do whatever you want (within moral limits). Because many people in the past sacricficed their lives just so that you could vote and have your say. Everyone has to at least show them respect by casting a vote. Otherwise politicians would not have to answer to anyone and they would become corrupt and you would eventually lose your freedom if no one ever voted as an ugly green monster called dictatorship (or DICK-tatorship) slowly appeared in your backyard.

But I don't really like dictatorship either. Sure, democracy has its problems but I'm willing to put up with it.

By the way, I realise this is a bit of a long post and that this is the first post I have written in just over two years. I am trying to test wheather I could work up a passion to be a magazine columnist.