No Joe - but then there's no pretence of democracy in the first place - nor am I native to that country.
I thought Britain was a beacon for democracy and an example for societies across the world? That's what we were taught. Magna Carta et al.
I've never been that naive since I attained the age of reason. All forms of government are flawed, some are more flawed than others. I think an independent judiciary, media free from state control, and (mostly) an uncorrupt public service are huge advantages that this country has over many others. I don't expect perfection, so I'm not disappointed when I don't get it.
Here's something I was reading last night:
'We live in what is called a democracy, rule by the majority of the people. A fine ideal if it could be made to work. The people elect, but the party machines nominate, and the party machines to be effective must spend a great deal of money. Somebody has to give it to them, and that somebody, whether it be an individual, a financial group, a trade union or what have you, expects some consideration in return. What I and people of my kind expect is to be allowed to live our lives in decent privacy. I own newspapers, but I don't like them. I regard them as a constant menace to whatever privacy we have left. Their constant yelping about a free press means, with a few honorable exceptions, freedom to peddle scandal, crime, sex, sensationalism, hate, innuendo, and the political and financial uses of propaganda. A newspaper is a business out to make money through advertising revenue. That is predicated on its circulation and you know what the circulation depends on."'
It was written over 60 years ago, but it's just as true today, and was just as true 60 years before it was written.
