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Our Government is Not a Perfect Democracy
Democracy is government by the people. Majority rule is the essential element of a true democracy. Common sense and observation tell us, and research confirms, that “Majorities of the American public actually have little influence over the policies our government adopts” while “economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on U.S. government policy.” [From a study by Benjamin I. Page and Martin Gilens.]
Antidemocratic provisions in the body of our Constitution and flaws in the way we conduct elections have made it possible for corporate interests and billionaires to gain control of our governments at both the state and federal levels. The version of democracy in place in America at present is so deeply flawed as to be more accurately described as an oligarchy, or more specifically, as a combination of a corporatocracy and a plutocracy (government by and for corporate interests and the wealthy).
Money has become the dominant factor in our elections and has corrupted politicians at all levels of government and in both of our major political parties. Our vaunted system of checks and balances has made it possible for corporatists and plutocrats to consistently block legislation supported by a majority of Americans.
Along with the frustration of not being able to get critically needed legislation enacted, a tsunami of misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies has generated toxic levels of anger, fear, and hatred, and left Americans deeply and bitterly divided. We argue angrily and endlessly about the issues that divide us. The discussion never seems to focus on issues where we are in broad agreement. None of the conflicts that divide us are ever resolved. None of the problems we face as a nation are ever addressed effectively, despite the fact that a majority of us agree upon solutions.
Given the state of politics and civic engagement in America today, the idea of making America a Perfect Democracy may seem, to many Americans, to be hopelessly idealistic.
It is idealistic. Our nation was founded on noble and democratic ideals, clearly stated as “self-evident” Truths in our Declaration of Independence: We are “endowed” by our “Creator” with equal and unalienable rights to “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” The primary reason we “institute” governments is to secure and protect our rights. And governments derive their “just powers” from “the consent of the governed.”
The idea of making America a Perfect Democracy is not hopeless. The “self-evident” Truths stated in our Declaration of Independence are eternal and nearly all Americans believe in them. And there is one additional right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence: Our right to “alter the form” of our government whenever we deem it necessary to effect our "Safety and Happiness.”
When we unite in support of our ideals, we will find that we already have all the power we need to enact two elegantly simple, yet incredibly powerful, pro-democracy reforms: Personal Representation and Perfect Democracy Amendments.
Personal Representation
Implementing systems of Personal Representation will allow citizens to authorize any one member of each legislative body that governs them to cast votes on their behalf and then give each senator or representative a number of votes equal to the number of citizens who have authorized them to vote on their behalf, plus one for themselves. Including provisions allowing citizens to reassign their proxies at any time will allow Politically Active Citizens to vote (indirectly) on legislation being voted on in Congress or a state legislature.
Perfect Democracy Amendments
Perfect Democracy Amendments will make it easier for citizens to call referendums and use the initiative in the states that already provide for them and will extend provisions for those powerful forms of direct democracy to the federal government and the states that do not yet provide for them.
Minor Changes with Major Benefits
In a survey conducted in 2021, 85% of Americans agreed that we need to completely reform or make major changes to our political system. Of course, many people who say they want change get nervous and hesitant when confronted with specific proposals for changes. Personal Representation and Perfect Democracy Amendments are relatively minor changes with major benefits.
Implementing systems of Personal Representation will instantly transform Congress and state legislatures into truly democratic institutions that accurately reflect the will of the people.
Enacting Perfect Democracy Amendments will perfect direct democracy in America by giving the people the ultimate power to approve or reject legislation, whether proposed by Congress or a state legislature or by the people through the initiative.
When we enact either one of these reforms, and especially if we enact both reforms, we will do more than make America great again, we will make America greater than it has ever been. When we make America a Perfect Democracy, we will make history.
About This Website
This website is published by Perfect Democracy (a non-partisan political action committee). It is designed and intended to serve as an informational resource, (to foster a shared understanding of democracy as part of our Civic Education Project; and as an organizational hub for a broad-based and inclusive pro-democracy movement, helping Politically Active Citizens (and other pro-democracy organizations) work together to build support for the reforms needed to make America a Perfect Democracy and get those reforms enacted.
A different kind of political action committee.
The acronym PAC ordinarily stands for "Political Action Committee". Perfect Democracy is a different kind of PAC – a broad and inclusive pro-democracy organization consisting of “Politically Active Citizens". The primary focus of most PACs is on raising enormous amounts of money and then spending that money in support of candidates who will do the bidding of the people and organizations who contribute money. Most PACs are organized by corporations and billionaires as a vehicle for spending unlimited amounts of mostly “dark” money to get politicians who will do their bidding elected. Our primary focus is on facilitating communication between Politically Active Citizens and coordinating the efforts of Politically Active Citizens as we work together to perfect democracy in America.
To facilitate communication, we are compiling a database of contact information for Politically Active Citizens and pro-democracy voters. Joining the campaign to make America a Perfect Democracy is as simple as providing your contact information.
We have also formed a Facebook group as a means of providing a space for Politically Active Citizens to conduct an ongoing conversation about our campaign to make America a Perfect Democracy.
We post videos on our YouTube channel as part of our Civic Education Project.
And we post updates regarding our campaign to make America a Perfect Democracy and links to new videos on X.
Join the Campaign to Make America a Perfect Democracy
Communication is vital within a broad-based grassroots movement. We are compiling a data base of pro-democracy activists and voters. To join the campaign to Make America a Perfect Democracy, please provide your email address. Your information will not be sold or shared. You will not receive emails or text messages soliciting financial contributions.
The material on this website is adapted from a soon to be published book: Government by the People: Perfecting Democracy in the 21st Century by Winston Apple.
Content is Copyright 2025 Gary Winston Apple, unless otherwise noted..
Permission is granted to share with proper attribution. All Rights are Reserved.
This website is paid for by Perfect Democracy - a 501(c)4 political action committee.