WE WERE FUCKED from the GET GO That is all. The government only lets us shoose two parties, or our vote is useless. And the two choices always are so shitty. FUCK!
You're looking at as if we were to switch it to a true democracy, in today's society... I'm talking as if our country was originally established as a true democracy... There are other countries that are true democracies, that are thriving (Switzerland for one). If the US were originally established as a true democracy, instead of a democratic republic, then I think we would have been alright. Since the people would have been involved in politics from the beginning, it would be less likely that we would have reached this state of ignorance and apathy that we are currently in. You say we need less government? You can't do that with a democratic republic. You can never have LESS government, when the few are in control of the many. That much power, placed in so few hands, in a recipe for disaster. It breeds corruption... Corruption that can't exist when all the power is equally distributed amongst the many.
Switzerland having a quasi direct democracy is akin to the state of Georgia having direct democracy, not the entire United States. We are far too large and diverse to expect a localized system to work, that is why the states were initially given sovereignty and self governance over control of substances, taxation and their economies. The citizens of California will have a much different role for their government than the citizens of Kansas would have, as would Hawaii and Alaska. The plague of Lincoln is that we consider ourselves one nation bound to the central government. All he achieved was the abandonment of the Constitution and states rights, setting up the Federal government as supreme in command over all aspects of American life. Sure he expediated the end of slavery in America, but at the cost of the largest bloodshed in our history. If the entire United States had a direct democracy our rights would have whithered away a lot faster than they are now, seeing as the majority is easily influenced. The largest voter base is evangelical, would you really want that influencing your social laws? Even among the socially liberal, look at the zealous support for fighting climate change, a politicized scam that some people would die for. The constitution shackles the Federal government from powers it usurped long ago. If we went back to the style of government listed in the Constitution we would practically be a confederacy like the EU is, and much freer. To get people involved in politics we need to reinstate the influence of local state governments, not further empower the Federal government with mob rule. “Perhaps the fact that we have seen millions voting themselves into complete dependence on a tyrant has made our generation understand that to choose one's government is not necessarily to secure freedom” - FA Hayek
While what you say is true about power leading to corruption, The key concept to a smaller government is limiting the power the government has over the people. This is why the constitution was created and why many patriotic people fight for our constitutional rights. A smaller government doesn't have to be a monarchy, with few people holding supreme power, it can be a government that is less in control of the people and their rights.
@ aaronman... You make some good points, man. I didn't really look at it like that. Werd... I still think the people should be more involved in the gov't process, and am in favor of the states having sovereignty... Maybe more-like a true democracy - but on a state level, not in regards to the country as a whole. I still feel that our democratic republic is failing, and that we need a new system.
Thanks, I appreciate you reading with an open mind. Check out this updated map of the US state GDPs vs other nations: Our states have tremendous economic power, and this goes to show how we might be better off as a confederacy like the EU rather than a single nation trying to manage the diverse population with massive bureaucratic programs. Its no wonder our education and health care systems are abismal, they are near impossible to manage on such a scale. Edit: looks like Switzerland is equivalent to New Jersey, not Georgia
I see that the Beating the Dead Horse ploy is still garnering some interest...I've never seen so much faux right wing disgust as the last few weeks! How much fun is that! I wonder what would John McCain be doing anything differently, and how the hell would anyone think that he would be better? C'mon, Secretariat, get up and run! Joe the Plumber's wearing his Jockey Shorts, get on, ride 'em cowboy, you can still win!!!! This poll is like watching re-runs of "Ow, my Nuts". A painful reminder of the power of repetition, especially when attempting to misguide youths. +rep for anyone who thinks like the OP. The man who's always wrong.
i consider myself democratic on most views -definatly wouldnt vote for mccain-im kinda glade obama won-i think alot of people voted for him so he could become the first black president-thats alright cause in a way its a step forward in many ways-but i would of rather seen more people voting for him cause of his ideas or cause hes a good person-if i could vote i would of gone with ron paul or obama.-best wishes to obama and to statewide decriminalization
I think I've figured it out. When Republicans aren't in power, they are fiscally and politically conservative. When they get into power they become big spending liberal douches. When Democrats aren't in power, they are anti-war and pro-civil liberties. When they get into power they become war mongering nazis that don't give a shit about our liberties. Hmmm... maybe its the power that is corrupting the lot? To answer your question, John McCain would be doing EXACTLY the same thing as Obama. They both get their orders from the same desk.
You seem to be forgetting who puts these greedy, corrupt politicians into power....... THE PEOPLE. Every eligible voter in the U.S. put them into power. Regardless of how much money they were given by corporations or how many asses they kissed, we still had a choice in the matter. They vote on bills because we specifically chose them to vote on bills. They're flawed because they are human beings. Direct democracies by nature cannot last forever because there will always be individuals who seek power and money. "Corruption" is actually pretty universal.
This coming from the epitome of hypotheticalists. I am based on reason and STATISTics, you are based on emotions and unicorns. So can you argue my hypothetical, or you just blowing steam?
I got to meet Ron Paul, after meeting him after the election I will say without a doubt I would change my vote. Then again, that vote was not on what my views are now it what they were then. Worrying about the past will only cause problems in the present. At most it is 8 years we got to put up with him, in the broad scope of things he does not matter. Just like George Bush, he is a temporary thing, we need not worry about the future or the past, only prepare for the now.
It would be awesome to meet ron paul. I know he can save america. Welcome to grasscity. hope you'll like it here.
Thats because an honest man whose truthful with the people has nothing to fear from the people. Lets see Obama do that.
How do you figure I'm the most hypothetical? How often do I say "what if"? You degrade your credibility with empty rhetoric like that. But why does it matter to me? Rock on, Ron Paul. Rock on.
Well is suppose less is a subjective term. The entire purpose of the constitution is to enumerate what powers the government does and does not have and because of this law dictating vessel the size of government can be effectively controlled.
Let's take the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election for example... If you voted, you would have seen that there were several options on the ballot. The following candidates were on the ballot in every state or nearly every state: Barack Obama (Democratic) John McCain (Republican) Ralph Nader (Independent) Bob Barr (Libertarian) Chuck Baldwin (Constitution) Cynthia McKinney (Green) All of the following were either on the ballot or recognized as write-in candidates in more than one state: Alan Keyes (America's Independent Party) received 47,768 votes. He was listed in three states: Colorado and Florida, plus California (listed as American Independent), and also had write-in status in Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, and Utah. Ron Paul received 41,905 votes. He was listed in Louisiana (Louisiana Taxpayers) and in Montana (Constitution) party nominee, and had write-in status in California. Roger Calero (Socialist Workers Party) received 7,561 votes; listed in ten states. He was listed by name in Delaware, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont. James Harris was listed as his stand-in in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, and Washington, and was also a qualified write-in status in California. Brian Moore (Socialist) received 7,315 votes; listed in eight states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, New Jersey, Ohio, and Wisconsin, as well as Tennessee (independent) and Vermont (Liberty Union). He also filed for write-in status in 17 other states: Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Gloria La Riva (Party for Socialism and Liberation) received 6,808 votes nationally; she was listed in 12 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Charles Jay (Boston Tea Party) received 2,420 votes. He was listed in Colorado and Florida, and in Tennessee (as independent), with write-in status in Arizona, Montana, and Utah. Gene Amondson (Prohibition) received 653 votes. Listed in Colorado, Florida, and Louisiana. Tom Stevens (Objectivist) received 755 votes. Listed in Colorado and Florida. Jonathan Allen (HeartQuake) was listed only in Colorado, with write-in status in Arizona, Georgia, Montana, and Texas.