Democracy is two foxes and a chicken planning a meal. American freedom is protected by the Constitution, not democracy. There is nothing inherently defensive of liberty about democracy.
Discussion
I am fine with the Constitution that gives people freedoms. The structure of democracy is to give people freedoms as well - division of power, freedom to vote, freedom of choice and so on.
Division of powers isn't something inherent in democracy; it's explicitly laid down in most constitutions. With raw democracy, minorities get trampled, and there's no recourse, because it's the will of the people.
There's a reason Plato called it the second worst form of government, only after a malevolent dictatorship.