<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV> <P>No, the US is not a democracy.  The US (and capitalist nations in general) are plutocracies hiding under the cover of democracies.  That is, wealth rules and not the demos (citizen).  In form, democracy, but in content, plutocracy.  Hence, the conflict and struggle of classes.  At times the demos can exert itself, but rule always returns to kalos kagathos (wealth, property) through their organized political rule, the state, and its enforcers, such as the Department of Defense.<BR></P></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>>. . So, what's the problem? Is there something wrong with Mill's <DIV></DIV>>>theory, or is this not a democracy, or what? The students were <DIV></DIV>>>fairly nonplussed by this result. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>All those things would be nice, but they're just not "realistic," <DIV></DIV>>you see. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Doug <DIV></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>The new <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMMENUS/2737">MSN 8:</a> smart spam protection and 2 months FREE* </html>