This explains a lot about the background in BSG

[james_davis_nicoll]

I've been watching this on tape, since it's not practical to watch the broadcasts. There's something Roslin said early on and in the episode I just saw, we see that she got it from the late President Adar:

"One of the most interesting things about being President is that you don't have to explain yourself. To anyone."

Now, what kind of a democracy can you have if the head of state thinks that he or she doesn't have to answer to anyone for anything they choose to do?