Representing oneself is a democracy, about which John Adams had this to say, " … Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide......" We have a Constitutional Republic. It's because we, the people, have absolutely no idea any more about how our government must be run, what our almost limitless rights are, what our duties and responsibilities are, and who serves who.....that we are in this mess. Lack of education got us here, dedicated education will get us out and help us to remain on top of the heap instead of being ground underfoot.