If you ever find yourself wondering whether or not we have a functioning Democracy, just track how close Ron Paul gets to the Presidency. He has the perfect message for the war weary, economy weary, government weary great majority of the country. If people could hear his message through the media censors and filters and then have their votes fairly counted NOBODY could beat him. No other candidate is even anti-war for starters.
So just watch this election to learn about our democracy in action. And then you'll understand why we're so willing to export our Democracy to other countries - because whatever it is clearly excludes the will of the people. But does allow people an illusion of participation to pacify them.