Mayor Daley quote, from the Living Streets Exhibit, NYC

Mayor Daley quote, from the Living Streets Exhibit, NYC
Originally uploaded by rllayman.

Charles Krauthammer had a column that I didn't keep, about participatory democracy vs. a republic, focused on representative democracy. He prefers a republic. I know that a true participatory democracy is not possible in a country of 300 million people, but there is plenty of room for more participation.

That's why I almost categorically laugh in response to articles in newspapers and punditry about the decline in the numbers of people voting (e.g., a column talking about how great everything is going in Iraq pointed out that the 97% rate of voting in the Parliamentary elections is far higher than in the U.S.) because in large part I believe that this is about disconnection and apathy.

The solution isn't to berate non-voters but to consider and address why people feel disconnected from the political system and civic life.