Are we there yet?

When the majority cannot protect themselves from their own depravities, democracy is no longer viable.

. . . And when national factions abound, and every citizen's eyes are turned upon his neighbor's wealth, and the anonymity of a large state obscures the confiscatory hand, then there exists no justice even amongst citizen-pirates. And it may truly be said that in those days, when any may be made a victim by the mob, the fear of neighbors surpasses that of the despot, and a nominal liberty takes the official form of tyranny.

"The Failures of Democracy (an Ode to Aristides)." By Jeremy Egerer, American Thinker, 12/15/12.