text: I thought this was the National CATHOLIC Reporter. Apparently it's the National COMMUNIST Reporter. To begin with, this government is a Constitutional Republic, not a "democracy" (as if such a thing ever really existed, aside from, possibly, Ancient Greece). Since at least 1871 it has been a municipal corporation, based in D.C. (see the The District of Columbia Organic Act of 1871). It was a corporation BEFORE then, as well, called "The United States" set up by the rich colonial merchants. It was set up for the benefit of the MEMBERS of that corporation, those folks who called THEMSELVES "We, the People OF the United States", in the Preamble to the Constitution - and NOT for the general population of the land we call America. It is a BUSINESS, and has nothing to do with John and Jane Doe out in the hinterlands we call the "States". It's THEIR business, not yours. The "vote" is a sham, and you have NO influence over who gets into office. Big money does. Not you. Get over it.