No? If we lived in a Democracy then how could our fearless leaders rating fall under 50%, let alone under 20%? Greed is Pathetic
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. Republic. That form of government in which the powers of sovereignty are vested in the people and are exercised by the people, either directly, or through representatives chosen by the people, to whome those powers are specially delegated. [NOTE: The word "people" may be either plural or singular. In a republic the group only has advisory powers; the sovereign individual is free to reject the majority group-think. USA/exception: if 100% of a jury convicts, then the individual loses sovereignty and is subject to group-think as in a democracy.] Democracy. That form of government in which the sovereign power resides in and is exercised by the whole body of free citizens directly or indirectly through a system of representation, as distinguished from a monarchy, aristocracy, or oligarchy. [NOTE: In a pure democracy, 51% beats 49%. In other words, the minority has no rights. The minority only has those privileges granted by the dictatorship of the majority.] Although, we all know this country has been rail-roaded by specialist interest and global criminals.
“Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.” — Ben Franklin “Democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide.” — John Adams “Democracy is the most vile form of government... democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention... incompatible with personal security or the rights of property.” — James Madison “The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and ... breaks up the foundations of society.” — Thomas Jefferson
The term plutocracy is generally used to describe two distinct concepts: a historical term and a modern political term. The former indicates the political control of the state by an oligarchy of the wealthy. Examples of such plutocracies include some city-states in Ancient Greece, the Italian merchant republics of Venice and Florence, and Genoa. Kevin Phillips, author and political strategist to U.S. President Richard Nixon, argues that the United States is a plutocracy in which there is a "fusion of money and government." <SUP class=reference id=cite_ref-0>[1]</SUP>. Yep, sounds like they know it, and love it.
you have to earn my respect, if you are not recognized you are an acquaintance of the city. If you're a good poster I'll know who you even if you have one bar.
Well just because our leaders have low approval ratings doesn't automatically mean it's an oligarchy. We still elected them (in Bush's case, twice) and I still feel that ultimately, the power is in the hands of the people. Unless you believe that our elections are all rigged now. You're right, we don't live in a democracy. we live in a constitutional federal republic, although there are many democratic aspects. I understand how you could make the argument that we're getting slightly closer to being an oligarchy, but I don't think we're there yet.
How does CFR not represent an oligarchy? Every candidate since Teddy Roosevelt has been propped up by the institution. Every candidate that isn't a member is immediately outcast as a kook. Why do you think the MSM is the way it is? And you think the people have more power than lobbying interests? The same family of politicians and financiers have been working together for decades. Why do you think our presidents recycle advisers? Nothing ever changes because there are bigger influences behind the scenes. We'll see if Obama brings the much hoped for changes, but its not looking too good so far.
I'd classify it more along the lines of a Kleptocracy sadly, most Americans think it's their civic duty to spend four months out of the year paying for bloated beaurocracies
People make way too big of a deal about being a "CFR member" which is a pretty loose affiliation anyway. It's not like the organization has any direct policy-making power or anything.... it's a group of people that discuss foreign policy. Yes, the majority of mainstream politicians are involved, but they are still perfectly capable of implementing whatever kind of policy they want. Trying to make anything more out of it is presenting a claim that lacks evidence. Yes, I do. Every citizen is free to vote for whoever they want. If the people really wanted it, a third party or independent candidate could have won the presidency and every seat in Congress by now. Sure, there are many families of multiple generations who have been heavily involved in politics, like the Bushes and the Kennedys. But there are also just as many politicians who come from normal middle-class backgrounds... examples Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama. People work in politics their entire lives for the same reason that people work in any other career their entire lives. There are some pretty big influences, but none as big as a perfectly capable brain. We still have our right to vote, which is the most important thing. We'll see about Obama... I don't try to claim that he's perfect or anything, but he has by far been the best to choose from this election.
Read Liquids quotes below. Democracy is also quite distinct from a Republic. Oh I like the title under your name. Hashberry is where it's at. Love for Mandala. Couldn't put it any better, Liquid. Our founding fathers had it right the first time.
If I were to say we were anything other than democracy, it would have to be republic, only because we are not a true democracy.
We're an "Idiocracy." Haha always dumbing us down. Making us believe we still have a say on what goes on. I gotta give it to the government after all these years they still have most of us fooled.