American's Desires and Democracy

"...In democracies there is always a multitude of persons whose wants are above their means, and who are very willing to take up imperfect satisfaction, rather than abandon the object of their desires altogether"

--Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America

            The passionate American -- passion is often thought of as the essence of an American's heart.  We are thought to be passionate people, who strive for the best, and even when we cannot reach "the best", we take what we can get with pride.  Our desires are what drive us...perhaps this is a key to why democracy works in America. We act out of our own self interest based on our desires, and by doing so, we participate in the democracy that is before us.  If Americans were not driven to achieve their desires and if they did not think that their voice would have an impact, then democracy would not work.  Yet, Americans have decided it is okay that we do not always get what we desire ("very wiling to take up imperfect satisfaction"). Perhaps this also contributes to why democracy works...people are willing to take what they can get, knowing that the majority will always have power, yet sometimes they will be in the majority and win.  The passion of the American citizens to pursue their desires is perhaps a key component of the functionality of democracy in this nation.