America is a republic, not a democracy. And the difference between what goes on in America and what goes on in Iran is that Ross Perot and Ralph Nader are absolutely allowed to run in the elections.oug wrote:
Same thing in the US and many other "democratic countries".voltage wrote:
Exactly. The iranians can either vote on mr Ultra Conservative or mr Very Conservative.kilgoretrout wrote:
but to run a candidate must be approved by the theocratic rulers. it's not universal suffrage if everyone can vote but not everyone can run.
What is really the difference between John Kerry and GWB? None you say? Oh how democratic...!!
Poll
Is Iran democratic?
| Yes. | 24% | 24% - 25 | ||||
| No. | 56% | 56% - 58 | ||||
| Go fuck yourself! | 18% | 18% - 19 | ||||
| Total: 102 | ||||||
Iran is as "democratic" as the United States. The word is there, and the people believe it. But what goes on is a far cry from what anybody would consider democracy.
The difference is, Iran isn't sitting on a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. America is.
The difference is, Iran isn't sitting on a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. America is.
Yes. Exactly.GunSlinger OIF II wrote:
so the queen of england could still declare war on other countries?UnOriginalNuttah wrote:
Sooooooooo, the UK isn't democratic either? (God Save the Queen?!?!)GunSlinger OIF II wrote:
no Iran is not technically democratic. The supreme leader of Iran is a non elected official...retards.
the ayatollah DOES hold power over the gov't
edit: Our supreme leader is also a non elected official... we must be retards too....
I'm against the Monarchy having power over government, if that helps my case...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_monarchy#Royal Prerogative wrote:
The Royal Prerogative with respect to domestic affairs is extensive. The Crown is responsible for the appointment and dismissal of ministers, Privy Counsellors, members of various executive agencies, and other officials. Effectively, however, the appointees are chosen by the Prime Minister, or, for less important offices, by other ministers. In addition, the monarch is the head of the Armed Forces (the British Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force). It is the Sovereign's prerogative to declare war, make peace, and direct the actions of the military.
Truthfully, the queen of england is less democratic than the Supreme Leader of Iran. The Supreme Leader is elected by the assmbly of Experts, who are elected by the people. The queen, however, is a monarch who has inherited her position.
It is democratic since you can vote for president. How pure and transparent is the democracy there is another story. But, you don't have to go so far away to find democracies that aren't as transparent as they appear to be.
Technically Iran is democratic, but often there's an influence of gun point to make your decisions for you.
Evidence, please.Apocalypse wrote:
Technically Iran is democratic, but often there's an influence of gun point to make your decisions for you.
And Phantom, are you ever going to back up anything you say or just make snide comments based on things you overheard your parents say?
Who really has no national power..........as opposed to the "Supreme Leader of Iran". The monarch in England has been largely symbolic for awhile.jonsimon wrote:
Truthfully, the queen of england is less democratic than the Supreme Leader of Iran. The Supreme Leader is elected by the assmbly of Experts, who are elected by the people. The queen, however, is a monarch who has inherited her position.
In England, the Queen's power is mostly ceremonial, and has declined to a shadow of what it once was. Also, the House of Lords can no longer defeat any bills. They may delay them by up to two years, but if the House of Commons wants to do something, the House of Commons is going to do something.
In Iran, the Supreme Leader selects half the people who have the power to remove him... which means that if he picks the right people, he will forever stay in power. Also, not everyone can run, as it was said, Mr. Ultra-Conservative or Mr. Very-Conservative. In essence, Ayatollah Khoimeni has remained in essence dictator of Iran.
In America, the legislative branch is determined by popular vote, the President is determined by the electors (who are mostly ceremonial, anyways, and the electors are determined by popular vote), and the judicial branch is appointed by both branches (besides, who would want Supreme Court justices grandstanding to try and get votes?).
In Iran, the Supreme Leader selects half the people who have the power to remove him... which means that if he picks the right people, he will forever stay in power. Also, not everyone can run, as it was said, Mr. Ultra-Conservative or Mr. Very-Conservative. In essence, Ayatollah Khoimeni has remained in essence dictator of Iran.
In America, the legislative branch is determined by popular vote, the President is determined by the electors (who are mostly ceremonial, anyways, and the electors are determined by popular vote), and the judicial branch is appointed by both branches (besides, who would want Supreme Court justices grandstanding to try and get votes?).
Partly of her own designs. She still holds the authority to declare war at any time. Say Charles decides to do a little conquesting, nothing in Britain could stop him.AlbertWesker[RE] wrote:
Who really has no national power..........as opposed to the "Supreme Leader of Iran". The monarch in England has been largely symbolic for awhile.jonsimon wrote:
Truthfully, the queen of england is less democratic than the Supreme Leader of Iran. The Supreme Leader is elected by the assmbly of Experts, who are elected by the people. The queen, however, is a monarch who has inherited her position.
Who the hell would say yes? Man you all sure don't know the definition now do you LMFAO. Holy shit I cant stop laughing!jonsimon wrote:
Just wondering.
Ummm, wrong. Just flat out wrong. The burden of proof is on you to prove otherwise, since Charles is not "head of state" yet.....jonsimon wrote:
Partly of her own designs. She still holds the authority to declare war at any time. Say Charles decides to do a little conquesting, nothing in Britain could stop him.
Long live the Queen.
Edit: You have to stop trying to pass "ideas" of yours as facts, things that you want to be true are not neccessarily true. How old are you jonsimon? Just wondering.
Last edited by AlbertWesker[RE] (2006-08-28 19:38:30)
The monarch theoretically has supreme authority, including the authority to declare war, call and dismiss parliament, and reject any and all legislature written by parliament. The fact that they haven't used it in lifetimes does not retract from the latent ability of the monarch to exercise such executive powers.AlbertWesker[RE] wrote:
Ummm, wrong. Just flat out wrong. The burden of proof is on you to prove otherwise, since Charles is not "head of state" yet.....jonsimon wrote:
Partly of her own designs. She still holds the authority to declare war at any time. Say Charles decides to do a little conquesting, nothing in Britain could stop him.
Long live the Queen.
I thought my post on another thread was good enough for this one, since it DIRECTLY addresses the question so without further ado:
1) Iran is a Constitutional Republic--a non-democratic Republic.
2) It is ruled first and foremost by what their Constitution terms "The Supreme Leader." This man is not elected. Current holder of the office is the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is the Commander In Chief of the armed forces, the head of all intelligence and security forces absolutely. He and he alone has the power to declare war. He also has the unilateral power to appoint or dismiss judges, has complete control over all television and radio networks, and controls many other important functions--and once again, his control over most of these things is absolute. He also controls half of the "Council of Guardians," a group that interprets the Iranian Constitution.
How does Supreme Leader--i.e. Dictator For Life--get his job? He is "elected" by:
2) The Assembly of Experts. This body is made up of 86 clerics--mullahs, ayatollahs--who are "elected" to 8 year terms of office. One says "elected" with trepidation, because they have to be widely recognized religious figures. Widely recognized by who? By other religious men. Basically, if you aren't in the Ayatollah Club, you don't get to be on this assembly. Furthermore, this "Assembly of Experts" has never once been known to either overrule or remove from office any Supreme Leader. (WHAT happened to your wonderful seperation of church and state, NOT A DEMOCRACY)
3) Who is the Council of Guardians? A group of 12 quasi-judges who have the ultimate authority for interpreting the Constitution. By law, half of them are appointed and keep their job at the whim of the Supreme Leader and are always clerics. The other half are appointed by the Parliament. Oh, there's a "Parliament?" Sure. Sort of.
4) Parliament: An assembled body that gets to vote on budgetary matters and treaties and a few related issues. All their decisions are subject to approval or rejection by the Council of Guardians--and nothing they do can overrule anything done by the Supreme Leader. Furthermore, only candidates approved by the Council of 12 are allowed to run for office--and in every "election" ever held, the vast majority of people who wanted to run for office were denied the right to do so.
5) The "President" - electected every four years. Must be approved by the Council of Guardians and the Supreme Leader. Handles day-to-day executive duties, with formal approval of the Supreme Leader for anything controversial.
In all of this, there is no free speech (Not much of a democracy there), there is no free press, and the only people allowed to run for any office are those approved by the Supreme Leader and the mullahs who run the entire show. People are routinely jailed for criticizing the government. Most government power resides in figures who have never been elected to anything, nor even appointed by truly elected officials.
Oh yeah, and most of the evidence shows that despite all this, massive vote fraud has been normal in every election, since the vast majority of Iranians, especially young ones, think the elections are a complete joke and a waste of time. No real reformer is ever allowed to even run for office, let alone be elected. So the mullahs appear to use a lot of ballot stuffing just to make turnout look much higher than it is.
It is a republic and certainly not close to a democracy. Unless you want to counter point me....go ahead.
Edit: Even Pat Buchanan says its a Republic and NOT democratic. And this is from an ANTI WAR site for Christ's sake, the likes of which you should trust ******
http://www.antiwar.com/pat/?articleid=5015
First of all, its au contraire.....and secondly or more.......... *******, you are obviously ignorant of how Iran really works, here I'll break it down for you.An Interesting Member Here wrote:
Au Contrare, Iran is a democracy. Every official of the government is elected or appointed by other elected officials.
1) Iran is a Constitutional Republic--a non-democratic Republic.
2) It is ruled first and foremost by what their Constitution terms "The Supreme Leader." This man is not elected. Current holder of the office is the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is the Commander In Chief of the armed forces, the head of all intelligence and security forces absolutely. He and he alone has the power to declare war. He also has the unilateral power to appoint or dismiss judges, has complete control over all television and radio networks, and controls many other important functions--and once again, his control over most of these things is absolute. He also controls half of the "Council of Guardians," a group that interprets the Iranian Constitution.
How does Supreme Leader--i.e. Dictator For Life--get his job? He is "elected" by:
2) The Assembly of Experts. This body is made up of 86 clerics--mullahs, ayatollahs--who are "elected" to 8 year terms of office. One says "elected" with trepidation, because they have to be widely recognized religious figures. Widely recognized by who? By other religious men. Basically, if you aren't in the Ayatollah Club, you don't get to be on this assembly. Furthermore, this "Assembly of Experts" has never once been known to either overrule or remove from office any Supreme Leader. (WHAT happened to your wonderful seperation of church and state, NOT A DEMOCRACY)
3) Who is the Council of Guardians? A group of 12 quasi-judges who have the ultimate authority for interpreting the Constitution. By law, half of them are appointed and keep their job at the whim of the Supreme Leader and are always clerics. The other half are appointed by the Parliament. Oh, there's a "Parliament?" Sure. Sort of.
4) Parliament: An assembled body that gets to vote on budgetary matters and treaties and a few related issues. All their decisions are subject to approval or rejection by the Council of Guardians--and nothing they do can overrule anything done by the Supreme Leader. Furthermore, only candidates approved by the Council of 12 are allowed to run for office--and in every "election" ever held, the vast majority of people who wanted to run for office were denied the right to do so.
5) The "President" - electected every four years. Must be approved by the Council of Guardians and the Supreme Leader. Handles day-to-day executive duties, with formal approval of the Supreme Leader for anything controversial.
In all of this, there is no free speech (Not much of a democracy there), there is no free press, and the only people allowed to run for any office are those approved by the Supreme Leader and the mullahs who run the entire show. People are routinely jailed for criticizing the government. Most government power resides in figures who have never been elected to anything, nor even appointed by truly elected officials.
Oh yeah, and most of the evidence shows that despite all this, massive vote fraud has been normal in every election, since the vast majority of Iranians, especially young ones, think the elections are a complete joke and a waste of time. No real reformer is ever allowed to even run for office, let alone be elected. So the mullahs appear to use a lot of ballot stuffing just to make turnout look much higher than it is.
It is a republic and certainly not close to a democracy. Unless you want to counter point me....go ahead.
Edit: Even Pat Buchanan says its a Republic and NOT democratic. And this is from an ANTI WAR site for Christ's sake, the likes of which you should trust ******
http://www.antiwar.com/pat/?articleid=5015
The supreme leader is elected by the assembly of experts, who are in turn elected by the people. The assembly has the power to dismiss the supreme leader. This is highly democratic, resembling dictatorships only in that the supreme leader serves a life term with the exception of removal by the assembly.
Some of the concepts you list in your arguement, such as freedom of speech and speration of church and state, are borrowed from the american creed, and are not an inherent part of a democratic body.
By every means, Iran is a democracy in every capacity that the United States is a democracy.
Some of the concepts you list in your arguement, such as freedom of speech and speration of church and state, are borrowed from the american creed, and are not an inherent part of a democratic body.
By every means, Iran is a democracy in every capacity that the United States is a democracy.
1) Yes, this is true, but has NEVER once happened, why, because it is all run by the religious sect in that country.jonsimon wrote:
1) The supreme leader is elected by the assembly of experts, who are in turn elected by the people. The assembly has the power to dismiss the supreme leader. This is highly democratic, resembling dictatorships only in that the supreme leader serves a life term with the exception of removal by the assembly.
2) Some of the concepts you list in your arguement, such as freedom of speech and speration of church and state, are borrowed from the american creed, and are not an inherent part of a democratic body.
3) By every means, Iran is a democracy in every capacity that the United States is a democracy.
2) Yes, this is true as well, but serves a democracy very well.
3) That may be your opinion, but it is most certainly not. Don't you understand? The elections are CONTROLLED, it is basically a monopoly. It is not a democracy.
Do you read?? This is how it works, ask any expert on the Middle East.AlbertWesker[RE] wrote:
2) The Assembly of Experts. This body is made up of 86 clerics--mullahs, ayatollahs--who are "elected" to 8 year terms of office. One says "elected" with trepidation, because they have to be widely recognized religious figures. Widely recognized by who? By other religious men. Basically, if you aren't in the Ayatollah Club, you don't get to be on this assembly. Furthermore, this "Assembly of Experts" has never once been known to either overrule or remove from office any Supreme Leader. (WHAT happened to your wonderful seperation of church and state, NOT A DEMOCRACY)
Last edited by AlbertWesker[RE] (2006-08-28 20:11:59)
The political class of America controls the elections here as well. Anyone can run for president, but only those attempting to through the two political channels can actually be elected. Our government just has to work harder to retain control.AlbertWesker[RE] wrote:
1) Yes, this is true, but has NEVER once happened, why, because it is all run by the religious sect in that country.jonsimon wrote:
1) The supreme leader is elected by the assembly of experts, who are in turn elected by the people. The assembly has the power to dismiss the supreme leader. This is highly democratic, resembling dictatorships only in that the supreme leader serves a life term with the exception of removal by the assembly.
2) Some of the concepts you list in your arguement, such as freedom of speech and speration of church and state, are borrowed from the american creed, and are not an inherent part of a democratic body.
3) By every means, Iran is a democracy in every capacity that the United States is a democracy.
2) Yes, this is true as well, but serves a democracy very well.
3) That may be your opinion, but it is most certainly not. Don't you understand? The elections are CONTROLLED, it is basically a monopoly. It is not a democracy.
Yes they do have to go through the channels, but people in Iran are directly DENIED their right to run. That is quite different than just being in the right group. The leading party DENIES people that right. THAT IS DIFFERENT HELLO!!?!?jonsimon wrote:
The political class of America controls the elections here as well. Anyone can run for president, but only those attempting to through the two political channels can actually be elected. Our government just has to work harder to retain control.
chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)
head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005); First Vice President Parviz DAVUDI (since 11 September 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries
note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts, a popularly elected body of 86 religious scholars constitutionally charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or Council for the Discernment of Expediency is a policy advisory and implementation board consisting of permanent and temporary members representing all major government factions, some of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader; the Council exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree; 3) Council of Guardians or Council of Guardians of the Constitution is a 12-member board of clerics and jurists serving six-year terms that determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law; the Council also vets candidates for suitability and supervises national elections
elections: Supreme Leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidate runoff on 24 June 2005 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi RAFSANJANI 3
See for yourself
head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005); First Vice President Parviz DAVUDI (since 11 September 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries
note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts, a popularly elected body of 86 religious scholars constitutionally charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or Council for the Discernment of Expediency is a policy advisory and implementation board consisting of permanent and temporary members representing all major government factions, some of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader; the Council exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree; 3) Council of Guardians or Council of Guardians of the Constitution is a 12-member board of clerics and jurists serving six-year terms that determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law; the Council also vets candidates for suitability and supervises national elections
elections: Supreme Leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidate runoff on 24 June 2005 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi RAFSANJANI 3
See for yourself
Sure sounds like a REPUBLIC. Lets use a fairly objective source here.Budo7 wrote:
chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)
head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005); First Vice President Parviz DAVUDI (since 11 September 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries
note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts, a popularly elected body of 86 religious scholars constitutionally charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or Council for the Discernment of Expediency is a policy advisory and implementation board consisting of permanent and temporary members representing all major government factions, some of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader; the Council exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree; 3) Council of Guardians or Council of Guardians of the Constitution is a 12-member board of clerics and jurists serving six-year terms that determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law; the Council also vets candidates for suitability and supervises national elections
elections: Supreme Leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidate runoff on 24 June 2005 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi RAFSANJANI 3
See for yourself
There are VERY key differences.....USA & Canada = Democracy, Iran = RepublicDictionary.com wrote:
re‧pub‧lic
–noun
1. a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.
2. a state in which the head of government is not a monarch or other hereditary head of state.
de‧moc‧ra‧cy
–noun
1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
2. a state having such a form of government: The United States and Canada are democracies.
3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.
4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.
My one question to those who think Iran is a democracy.....
1) If Iran is a Democracy, than why are some citizens DENIED(speech, press, the right to run for office) some rights and privileges that are SO inherent in many other democracies AROUND THE WORLD???
While they are similiar there are key differences, the rights issue being my big issue with those calling Iran a democracy, most of you are probably just going OH, the president is elected, that must mean its a democracy.......gimme a break.
Last edited by AlbertWesker[RE] (2006-08-28 21:42:10)
isnt democraty its freedom of speech?
With respect, the " go fuck yourself" option attempted to be made fashionable by cameron really is weak.jonsimon wrote:
Just wondering.
Please stop.
...wow.Phantom2828 wrote:
AHAHAHAH you stupied liberal.Ikarti wrote:
It's as democratic as Israel.
Iran is technically democratic, but the elections are rigged towards religious favours.
Not everybody pays attention to facts.
People think America is a democracy, pfft. Its a representitive republic. Thats a fact.
People think America is a democracy, pfft. Its a representitive republic. Thats a fact.
How is the US a democracy? (Dictionary.com isn't a definitive source for questions of this nature...) The US is a representative republic. In a true democracy, every citizen would vote on every matter that came up. We would all vote for every bill that went through congress. Obviously, that wouldn't work well, so we elect representatives for our opinions. We don't even get to vote on who the president is. The electoral college does. The individual electoral college members can vote for whomever they choose. They're not obligated to vote for the person that their district chooses by popular majority. I'm not arguing that Iran is a democracy, because Iran is a theocracy in every sense of the word. However, get your facts straight. The US is a republic. (Think about the pledge... "And to the REPUBLIC, for which it stands...")AlbertWesker[RE] wrote:
Sure sounds like a REPUBLIC. Lets use a fairly objective source here.Budo7 wrote:
chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)
head of government: President Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD (since 3 August 2005); First Vice President Parviz DAVUDI (since 11 September 2005)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the Supreme Leader has some control over appointments to the more sensitive ministries
note: also considered part of the Executive branch of government are three oversight bodies: 1) Assembly of Experts, a popularly elected body of 86 religious scholars constitutionally charged with determining the succession of the Supreme Leader, reviewing his performance, and deposing him if deemed necessary; 2) Expediency Council or Council for the Discernment of Expediency is a policy advisory and implementation board consisting of permanent and temporary members representing all major government factions, some of whom are appointed by the Supreme Leader; the Council exerts supervisory authority over the executive, judicial, and legislative branches and resolves legislative issues on which the Majles and the Council of Guardians disagree; 3) Council of Guardians or Council of Guardians of the Constitution is a 12-member board of clerics and jurists serving six-year terms that determines whether proposed legislation is both constitutional and faithful to Islamic law; the Council also vets candidates for suitability and supervises national elections
elections: Supreme Leader appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts; president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 17 June 2005 with a two-candidate runoff on 24 June 2005 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD elected president; percent of vote - Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD 62%, Ali Akbar Hashemi RAFSANJANI 3
See for yourselfThere are VERY key differences.....USA & Canada = Democracy, Iran = RepublicDictionary.com wrote:
re‧pub‧lic
–noun
1. a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.
2. a state in which the head of government is not a monarch or other hereditary head of state.
de‧moc‧ra‧cy
–noun
1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
2. a state having such a form of government: The United States and Canada are democracies.
3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.
4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.
My one question to those who think Iran is a democracy.....
1) If Iran is a Democracy, than why are some citizens DENIED(speech, press, the right to run for office) some rights and privileges that are SO inherent in many other democracies AROUND THE WORLD???
While they are similiar there are key differences, the rights issue being my big issue with those calling Iran a democracy, most of you are probably just going OH, the president is elected, that must mean its a democracy.......gimme a break.