Ideals of Democracy

Liberty
Liberty gives people the right to act and think however they want with consequences only for actions that are harmful.  One of the Founding Fathers, Patrick Henry, declared "give me liberty or give me death!" at the Virginia Convention in 1775 when attempting to persuade people to join the forces of the Revolutionary War.  Henry was rallying for freedom from control by Britain's government. The Founding Fathers believed that all people should have the freedom to exercise their rights to life, liberty and property.  In the DRC, there is a constitution that guarantees citizens similar basic rights.  Unfortunately, these laws are not being enforced and people do not possess freedom of speech. Under President Kabila's rule, many citizens have been unfairly arrested and even murdered for contradicting the government.

Equality
Equality is the idea that all people are created equal, and should possess the same natural rights.  Everyone should be treated fairly and with justice.  In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights."

Worth of the Individual
It is the American ideal that all people are significant in their own way and can make important contributions to society.

Rule of Law
The rule of law means that not only citizens, but also leaders must obey the law.  In the DRC, the President is able to manipulate the law in order to gain more and more control over the people.

Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Although most decisions in the United States are made by the majority rule, the judicial branch of the government serves to protect minority rights.

Compromise
It is important to compromise in order for two groups to come to an agreement.  Compromises must be made in order for laws to be passed and important changes to be made.

Citizen Participation
Participating in the government means being informed on government issues, voting, expressing one's ideas, serving on juries, debating, paying taxes, participating in political parties and holding leaders responsible for their actions.  These concepts are important parts of being an American citizen.  Unfortunately, in the DRC, not everyone is capable of participating in the government.  The DRC attempts to cover up the fact that many people do not get to participate in all of the ways that they are supposed to be able to by making voting compulsory for all citizens eighteen and older.  This makes it seem like citizen participation is important, when really citizens are often punished for speaking out against the government.