If you need any more proof that the US democracy has broken down, read this:
From the NYT article http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/18/international/18CND-PREX.html
"Size of protest, it's like deciding, 'Well I'm going to decide policy based up on a focus group.' The role of a leader is to decide policy based upon the security -- in this case -- security of the people."