What values and authority should be present in a democratic society?

Question

specifically in the US

Answer 1

The first thing you need is a difference, an opposing economic or philosophical point of view. If there are no differences, there will be no need to express differences by way of a democracy and by default there will be no democratic society. Keep that in mind then, in a perfect world there is but one set of perfect answers and method of life. Democracy is only required in a imperfect world and of course is a symptom of imperfection.
The authority has to be a constitution that is a bottom line when all else fails, even when it it is desired to abolish democracy by democratic process that unwavering authority should stand in the way of a fanatic madness. A constitution will withstand every type of growth within that democratic society. It must hold that every participant must be so educated and resourceful, ever so healthfully critical of its informational resources that error of judgement cannot be one caused by malice or on purpose by any one else. It will be the responsibility of that society to arm each of its individuals with the ability to make intellectual judgements independently without coaching.
It will also be the responsibility of that society to endow the individuals with the basic material needs in so far as the lacking of needs may cause those individuals judgements to be swayed by desperation.
By the above, it should be clear that the democratic society has these minimum altruistic responsibilities, these responsibilities are not transferable to any individual, religious group, comercial venture or organization and they may not be altered by the aforesaid.

Answer 2

What are values anyway? There are no set standards for values. Yet every politician will talk to you about American values, it almost sounds like this is a US thing and other nations have none at all to offer. One might value his family while another values his church more, etc...etc.. If I have gay friends does it mean my values are not right? If I do not belong to a church then am I without values?
So how can we set values up for authorities ????
Some ground rules like do not steal from us, neither cash nor wives.
Do not lie to us and give false promises?
The word "values" is now overrated. I live in the NC mountains and politicians are daily on TV telling us that they have
"mountain values". I ask myself what the heck is that supposed to mean? Different than "flat land values"?

Answer 3

The values specific to today's society of the US should remain the same as the values that created this society. Namely: honesty, integrity, fidelity, tolerance of religion, and hard work. Other values that we have recognized during our maturity that should be kept are racial tolerance, compassion for those unable to care for themselves, education for all.
Authority should only be given by the people to others in society that hold these values.

Answer 4

In a democratic society,which we are not. The U.S is a republic.In a republic we elect people to make decisions for us and set up a system of values for us.In a true democracy the peop[le would make the choices directly. The majarority would rule

Answer 5

The US is a Republic to protect us from the 'mob rule' of democracies. The Founders understood some basic concepts that would protect individual rights and freedoms...

First and foremost - individual rights are beyond the reach of majority opinion.

Second - that those Rights be clearly spelled out and that their exactly written meaning be used to test the validity of new laws.

Aside from that, let the people decide what is appropriate for their society.