Think of democracy as multivariable. One variable is the percentage of the population that are enfranchised. The other is how responsive the political, legal an

Think of democracy as multivariable. One variable is the percentage of the population that are enfranchised. The other is how responsive the political, legal and economic systems are to the needs of everyday people. America started as an elitest Republic. Slowly, variable #1 grew and shrank in fits in starts but variable #2 changed very little. Until we get to the 1930s and then variable #2 explodes wide open. Then in 1960s variable #1 breaks wide open as well. By the 70s we are probably at the high point of both. Since then #1 has significantly eroded. And now with the court punches at the voting rights act #2 is now under threat as well. I don't mean it in the usual internet guy sense. I don't see America as having a pure past. I believe America was an elitest Republic with very slow steps towards democracy. To me America only turned the corner towards becoming a democracy in the 1930s. It was a bumpy up and down from there with a slump in the last 40 years.