The teachers I had opened the window and shouted at the office

I have envied people who are fully aware and alert and ready when they wake up.

For me, it takes longer than a few minutes

The term confuses me in politics: it seems to have too many meanings; and even the agreed definitions are flexible.

Historically, democracy only allowed free males who were land owners to vote. A minority.

In the last few generations the wealthy have come up with clever ideas to hold onto power while expanding the vote to the majority.

So, I think Democracy is defined by periodically changing some of the government by the voting of some people. And the votes must be counted in front of witnesses.

This is my definition of democracy only; and not me arguing for it, personally I don’t think it works well enough

Yes, as practiced it’s mostly theatrics and the working class does not take power due to many controls and mental conditioning.

Democracy gives the illusion of control.

But many of these countries are by definition democracies

Yes: As long as people can vote, kick the other government out, and replace it with worse, maybe better.

I think where the confusion lies at, is the very definition of democracy. Democracy does not mean good governance or even particularly fair treatment. It had nothing to do with socialism or helping the disadvantaged. It simply means it can be replaced using voting.

I think the democracies of the west are overhyped oligarchies; but they are democracies

One is a quickly developing powerhouse.

The other is a democracy. It’s main opposition party had promised to allow porn again and is wildly successful

People know instinctively when they are dating up, down or have impossible dreams.

The reasons for that is as varied as there are people, but we all have primate brains and are hard wired to select partners using criteria that can be and are amazingly flexible