Is there a problem with democracy?

I read an article yesterday about how the youth in so many countries are disillusioned with democracy now. Basically, they feel that the politicians are corrupt and work for the banks and other corporations, rather than the people who vote them into office. I admit, I've been feeling this way myself for quite a while now. Some of the remarks being made in the article mention how even in countries that had dictators, they are no longer happy with the democratic method. Their parents say they are happy to be able to vote, but the youth see past this to the new issues that exist.

There is a tone in the article that suggest trying to come up with another option to democracy all together. "Increasingly, citizens of all ages, but particularly the young, are rejecting conventional structures like parties and trade unions in favor of a less hierarchical, more participatory system modeled in many ways on the culture of the Web."

I love this creative thinking and can hardly wait to see what comes out of it. Unfortunately, I feel that America may become the last dinosaur of democracy. I say unfortunately, because I foresee things having to get a lot worse, before enough Americans are willing to make the radical changes necessary. We could of course, try things like opening up our democracy to more than just the two party system we have now. But I just don't see it happening soon enough. But maybe we need to hit bottom, so that we are willing to make real changes in the long run, and not just settle for half way measures that are still susceptible to corruption.

Does this matter?