It may be an old cliche, but every nation gets the government it deserves. Well, at least, it gets it if it isn't the victim of foreign military occupation, martial law, revolution or some other catastrophe.

America is still a democracy, and with all the flaws in its political system, it still will get what most of its people want. We are free to choose, even if we choose unwisely.

Sure, there is the ignorance, greed and wisdom of its citizens, its institutions, history and its public life to contend with. We have political maneuvers, fraud, bribery, corruption, propaganda, spin, factions, demagoguery, the whole catalog of ills democracy is heir to, but it is still a democracy. But all sides have access to the same crooked tools, and have shown themselves perfectly capable of the same crimes, so no one can really yell 'foul'. The government has not been installed with bayonets, and I doubt our next one will be either.

This is no guarantee things will turn out hunky-dory, things can still fall apart; but at least, it will not be imposed on us from outside enemies, or domestic traitors. Whatever happens, it will be what we choose it to be. We will get the government we deserve, even if it's a stinker. But it will be what we deserve.

I know that's not very reassuring, but its a better deal than most of the world's peoples have.