American Idol-atry

Did American Idol give our youth a taste for small-d democracy? If so, shame on them!

There are important differences between "American Idol" and our constitutional American system. "Idol" is a direct democracy, for one. (And, like in Chicago of yore, "Idol" watchers can vote as often as they desire.) But, at the end of the day, they are both about voting. And as much as some might scoff at the deleterious effects of "Idol" on our culture, it has created a culture of voting among our young people. Where past generations of youth might have felt cynically about their ability to affect change, the millions of "Idol" voters can see the palpable impact of their vote -- live in prime time and with Ryan Seacrest as their Walter Cronkite.