o challenge and change the Constitution as time passes.
             One essential characteristic of a valid and legitimate democracy is that it allows people to freely make choices without government intervention. Another necessary characteristic of representative government is that every vote must count equally: one vote for every person. For this equality to occur, all people must be subject to the same laws, have equal civil rights, and be allowed to freely express their ideas. Failure to do so results in violation of the rights guaranteed in the Constitution.
             The U.S. government may be considered representative in some aspects, and unrepresentative in others. Because voting is class-biased, it may not be classified as a completely representative process. Although in theory the American system calls for one vote per person, the low rate of turnout results in the upper and middle classes ultimately choosing candidates for the entire nation. Class is determined by income and education, and differing levels of these two factors can help explain why class bias occurs. For example, because educated people tend to understand politics more, they are more likely to vote. People with high income and education also have more resources, and poor people tend to have low political efficacy (feelings of low self-worth).
             Minority rights are crucial in a representative democracy. No matter how unpopular their views, all people should enjoy the freedoms of speech, press and assembly. Public policy should be made publicly, not secretly, and regularly scheduled elections should be h
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