[danielweber]

That assumes that democracy is the goal. America traditionally holds that freedom is more important, although there have been small-d democratic movements that seek to violate the rights of minorities.

The point of having elections in America isn't because democracy is awesome. It's because elections serve as a check on government power.

[eli_gottlieb]

America traditionally holds that freedom is more important

Much to its own detriment, since Americans have never managed to agree on a coherent definition of "freedom" that results in a workable society.