Democracy as we used to know it is built by people of strong principle establishing a set of rules for getting on with each other, something like a constitution.

These people then get together and set up a group, like a government, using these rules, which include mechanisms to ensure the rules apply to everyone.

People choose representatives to carry out the duties laid out in the rules, according to the rules. They ensure (and I mean THEY, the people who vote) that the rules are followed.

Nowadays, the people do not do that last step. I am sure they have their reasons (my representative doesn’t listen to me, etc.), so the elected representatives do what the Interest Groups say – they DO enforce that last step.

And the rules that were set up take the place of the individual who set them up, and are ignored… Rules are nothing if the people who set them up do not make 100% sure they are followed.

The military needs wars or it loses power, and it is in a position to create them

Big business needs unemployemnt or it loses power, and is in a position to create that.

The drug industry needs the sick or it loses power, and is in a position to create that.

Banks need debtors or they lose power, and they are in a position to create that.

Secret Police need terrorist threats or they lose power, and they are in a position to create that.

What do You and I need? At the moment, we do not seem to be in a position to create that. So in whose hands is our democracy?