Democracy is not easy.

With the recent 9th Circuit ruling delaying the California recall, and the subsequent analysis by pundits of all stripes, I am driven to remind myself (and whomever else reads this) that democracy isn't easy, and thank God for that.

If democracy was easy, we would take it for granted almost everyday, even moreso than we already do.

If democracy was easy, then people wouldn't be able to voice their opinions. For if democracy was easy, everyone's opinions would be the same.

If democracy was easy, then people wouldn't appreciate it when they finally do receive it.

If democracy was easy, people wouldn't have the diverse sources of information that are currently competing in the marketplace of ideas.

If democracy was easy, then our voting procedures wouldn't be imperfect. For if it was easy, no one would have to vote.

Our system of government is a blessing that most of us take for granted everyday. Our system of government allows people of all races, colors, and creeds the opportunities that would be denied under any other system of government. That we take it for granted saddens me more than I am willing to admit, even to myself.

When the Founders of our Country bequeathed this system of government to us they created the perfect system but, paradoxically, the system is inherently imperfect. For it is a system of the people, by the people, and for the people. People are imperfect, by any definition, and any system that derives it's just powers from the consent of the governed will be imperfect. It is this paradox that makes the system what it is, and everyday, when I wake up, I thank God and the Founders for the imperfections of that system.

An imperfect system means that the system is alive, that the system is thriving. When a system becomes perfect it means it will begin to wither and stagnate.

Democracy is not easy, for it is not supposed to be.