There is the legal definition of the legitimacy to govern in a democracy and then there is the reality that democracy has been badly eroded. With ongoing corruption and unbelievable greed, it should come as little wonder that many of the public has no trust in elected officials. The Prime Minister of Canada has had repeated ethical violations and the United States is rapidly becoming a banana republic yet we are treated as if we should trust politicians. The problem is that if the vast majority of us don't, how do we respond to global warming, massive famines, pandemics and natural disasters of increasing proportions? Governments must look internally for answers when they wonder why the public will not listen.