Democracy? What a Concept

I'm reminded today of a saying I heard once:

"Democracy is application of the idea that large groups of people are somehow better positioned to make decisions, than just one person is."

Come again?

To whit: In Albuquerque yesterday, 39,000 people went to the polls to approve a bond measure for the local school district that will raise property taxes by an average of $170. Those 39,000 represent just 9.5 percent of eligible voters. The bond measure will pour more than 300 million dollars into the school district's coffers. Ah, let's just skip the part about ABQ schools and their local reputation of being subpar. Or, the view that the district management is only skilled at fiscal mismanagement (not my idea, this is an ongoing viewpoint from the local media I read here in Albuquerque). It's for the kids after all, always for the kids.

So, to tally up, we've got poor schools, increased property taxes, no accountability for spending decisions and the democratic process… Wow, now I understand why home schooling remains such a viable option for my (future) children, but not for the majority.