Archy has an interesting litmus test for the health of a democracy:
It is in public discourse, that the word ?sacrifice? sets off my bullshit alarms. But those alarms are mere wind-chimes compared to the claxons that sound when I hear someone say, ?people need somebody to watch over them and tell them what to do.? This isn?t just self- serving hypocrisy; this is an assault on democracy. It?s dangerous when someone brings this up because they expect to be part of the ruling elite, but it is survivable. Democracy has always had its discontents. It?s healthy for the rest of society to periodically make a show of slapping down our would-be f?hrers and duces. When we are in trouble is when those who know they are in other ninety-five percent start agreeing.