Welcome to Democracy

I have, on occasion, heard complaints about the state of democracy in America. Some may, in fact, be thinking about moving to a better democracy… and we hold up a few examples of our efforts to spread democracy (with a small “d” please) around the globe. Let’s see if you can fill the bill for the following. In order to be a full citizen, you can:

1. Have lived in the country prior to a certain year.
2. Prove that you were born in the country (so you can’t emigrate to there and eventually qualify)
3. Be willing to prove that you are a member of the only state sanctioned religion of that country, and get a certificate showing that you are a member in good standing

(Man… you know how those foreigners are?)

Other than that, no matter how long you live there, the best you can do is to be a “permanent resident” and pay taxes, and have a job. You can vote in local elections, but not in the elections for the national government (since you are not part of the dominant religion) nor hold national office of any sort, and if you leave the borders for too long you start all over again or may not be allowed back in.

Welcome to your new country.