Most governments like to showcase their open elections. It makes good press and adds to their stature in the international community. This is no exception for the U.S. government. But with our recent elections, the Supreme Court’s appointment of George Bush Jr. to the Presidency, and the unreliable voting counts from Florida and Ohio, we are no longer a shining example of the democratic process. Notwithstanding these blemishes on the face of a failing republic, many of us prefer to deny reality.

With the Presidential Election of 2008 approaching, many Americans are seduced by a false sense of power. This is the time when most politicians polish their images, update their résumés, and acknowledge the needs of their constituents. Many of us find their maneuvering and scheming...