I'll take "blatant lies I've heard over and over until I started believing" for 1,000, Alex.
The system you have there in the US is hardly the best example of democracy. Let me start with the fact that you can vote, but can you be elected? Not unless you are part of a powerful political party. Good luck getting there. Also, electoral college would like to have a word with you.
And "world's first democracy"? Oh, boy, I have some news for you. The US was not the first country where everyone could vote, regardless of "race, gender, or ethnicity". You were quite late to the party, actually. Here, enjoy: