Democracy Doesn't Come Cheap

Democracy should be defined as a form of government where free adult citizens vote for their own leader. This view of democracy was very different than how the 19th century U.S. viewed it. The U.S. used to base voting rights off of how wealthy you were or how much land you owned. The theory was that a citizen had to have some stake of the city that they were voting in to have a vote. This is flawed because some people who are unworthy or unqualified to vote can do so because they have land, but someone with no land cannot vote, no matter how qualified.  This quote by Benjamin Franklin illustrates how the U.S. valued property over experience. “Today a man owns a jackass worth fifty dollars and he is entitled to vote; but before the election the jackass dies.  The man in the meantime has become more experienced, his knowledge of the principles of government, and his acquaintance with mankind are more extensive, and he is therefore better qualified to make a proper selection of rulers – but the jackass is dead and the man cannot vote.  Now gentlemen, pray inform me, in whom is the right of suffrage?  In the man or in the jackass? This quote is questioning what gives the right for an individual to vote. Franklin obviously favors having suffrage given to men with more experience than ones with wealth. In today's world, you could be the richest person in your town, but if you are not suitable to vote for a leader, then you do not get to vote.

This photo shows a scene from a 19th century election in a town square.