There is a lot of anxiety today about the failings of our democracy—the polarization, the inability to solve national problems.   Shouldn’t we do something about it?

But two assumptions are often made which work against any action:

All that we as citizens can do is choose political leaders. Specialists in government are responsible for taking action and making decisions for which citizens have no expertise.  That’s democracy.

Things aren’t really as dire as the media presents. Sure, we can and should make improvements.  But we’ve got a good system, and we’re the most prosperous nation on earth.  The media is incentivized to be alarming because it sells.