<span>Certainly not. The United States has never, since its founding, consisted of a small number of citizens, still less of citizens that could practically assemble in one place at one time and debate their actions. A pure democracy in this classical Greek city-state sense was never practical, and was not seriously considered.
What the Framers created was a constitutional representative republic. Sovereignty is vested in the people, like a democracy (and unlike a constitutional monarchy), but the people do not rule directly. Instead, they elect representatives, at regular intervals, and these rule in the peoples' stead. Their powers are limited, first, by the fact that they are elected for only short terms, and must be re-elected if they wish to continue in power, and secondly, and much more importantly, by the Constitution itself, which puts express written limits on their powers even between elections.</span>
Do you mean being drafted in the army?
Nowadays the internet is a powerful tool for anyone. Politicians take advantage of it as well, and for this reason, all of the alternatives apply.
They use it to generate donations for campaigning, to support the party, and even charitable donations.
They also use it to organize supporters, create communities where they can interact, show support, discuss ideas, etc.
Finally, they also use it to solicit support, showcasing their ideas, trying to reach as many people as possible in order to increase their supporting base.
People act in their own best interests to secure their own wills.
Remember Hobbes thought people were bad...
