| Contrary to what some Constitutional Originalists | | | | of a site that facilitates this is: |
| would have us believe, America was not perfect | | | | This site discusses Meg Whitman's position on a |
| when it was founded. In fact, it hardly counted as | | | | variety of issues. It was set up by an individual, |
| a democracy since only white males were | | | | not associated with any organization, and provides |
| permitted to vote. We have made great progress | | | | places for visitors to the site to comment on the |
| as a country since then, granting suffrage to | | | | pages; thus, it allows for a free exchange of ideas |
| women and minorities. However, our political | | | | that would not be possible without a forum like |
| process still has flaws such as low voter turnout. | | | | the web. |
| We are rapidly on the way to fixing one of the | | | | Of course, there are some disadvantages to this: |
| biggest of these flaws, though - an electorate | | | | since the internet is so open, it is very easy to |
| which does not understand the issues - thanks to | | | | spread misinformation. Exacerbating this is the |
| the internet. | | | | fact that many people only access sites which |
| Democracy assumes that if everyone has a say | | | | they know correspond to their personal idealogical |
| in their government, the most people possible will | | | | leanings, which prevents those people from being |
| turn out satisfied with what their government | | | | exposed to other view points. Finally, the |
| does. Unfortunately, however, some people will | | | | anonymity of the web occasionally encourages |
| inevitably vote against their own interests | | | | users to engage in harsher attacks than they |
| because they do not fully understand the issues | | | | might be willing to make face-to-face, resulting in |
| or the candidate's positions on those issues. | | | | a more toxic environment for debate. |
| That's where the internet comes in - by providing | | | | Despite these problems, though, the internet has |
| access to vast amounts to information to virtually | | | | overall been a very positive influence on |
| anyone with a computer, the internet allows voter | | | | democracy by offering new ways for voters to |
| to learn about the issues and share their opinions | | | | keep themselves informed and participate in the |
| about those running for office. A great example | | | | national debate over important issues. |