The U.S. is in a road which can ONLY end in eventual despotism......

[Japher]

Lets not go into ad hominems.

But that's what Fez's do best

[Whaleboy]

Thats your perogative, so fair enough!

The Falklands, take it or leave it! Gibraltars mine goddamit!!! jk

[Ned]

Re: Re: Re: The U.S. is in a road which can ONLY end in eventual despotism......

Originally posted by Vesayen


I thought this was just me, I never thought that this was a mass phenomina-but it DOES make sense, and describes me EXACTLY......

I dont know who im voting for in the next election.... wont be democrat or republican, thats for sure.

Vesayan, Once upon a time, the Democrats had Roosevelt and Kennedy, two president who stood strongly for America and strongly for American ideals. The modern Democrat party was built on these two presidencies. But the Democrat party has lost its pro-American idealism and as a result it is increasing losing its base of Roosevelt and Kennedy Democrats.

It would be great if any of the Democrat candidtates were stongly pro-American. But none of them are save for perhaps Lieberman. But, Lieberman will not get the nomination as the party that nominates has moved too far left for him to be their candidate.

[Dinner]

I'm thinking about setting myself up as despot of America. How shall I go about achieving this goal since it is inevitable?

[Worthingtons]

I'm with slow, this Ves guy is losing the plot, and perhaps should go into something like fortune telling, cos they talk crap too.

Anyway, I woudnt be sure the demo's will find a strong opponent next election, there was only one Bill Clinton. You guys should have 3 parties.

[Whaleboy]

Seeing as how I am on the topic of spain, here is my view on the problems in America right now.

Susurre las palabras de la sabidurÃa, déjelas ser

Someone tell me if thats right? I dont have the heart to plaigerise the Beatles but my spanish is way too rusty.

Whatever will be will be, all I and others can do is say our pieces and campaign, leave the rest to history.

[Dinner]

I'm thinking five parties would be nice one for the far left, far right, moderate left, moderate right, and then the centrists. Of course this would totally screw up the way Congress works as we probably wouldn't have a majority and minority leadership to push everyone else into towing the party line.

Still it would be better then the current set up.

[GePap]

The most worrying trend is not the Patriot act, which, by the way, will most likely become permanent, sincve a war on terrorism is never ending, unless some sort of cumbaja moment comes. The worsdt trend is the continuing shift in power form the legaslative branch to the executive branch of government. The president is an important post, but the Congress was meant to be king. The conrgess pays the bills, raiases the army, and in theory, should also b the one that decides on war or peace. The President is the crisis manager. but long term policy is the job of the Congress, or should be. Sicne WW1 the presidents have been gaining more and more power, and certainly more prestige, than congress. That is the most dangerous general trend in governance of the last century.

At one point, when the Cold war ended, suposedly we were out of the crises of the short 20th century (1914-1991), the whole NWO (Bush 1'st terminology) had begun..but npow we have a whole new set of "criseses", and the time of the Imperial precidency (not a good term) continues on, seemingly without end.

[Agathon]

I don't see why anyone thinks this is controversial. Democracy in the US has been suffering a downward trend at least since the early seventies. It looks like going back to the bad old days of policy for who can afford it and "good government" for everyone else.

What else is supposed to happen when the wealthy can basically subvert the system at will? Other countries have publicly financed elections and strict controls on donations to prevent this from happening. The result is a more flexible and responsive government and a higher voter turnout.

The Democrats are basically a joke; no more than Republicans in sheep's clothing. And the influence of Straussians in the current administration just shows how corrupt and meaningless the whole thing has become. I've always wondered what Lincoln would say if he could see the current situation; my bet is that he'd break down and cry.

A complete overhaul of the electoral system is required as well as public funding for elections and a proper public health system and an increased role for public broadcasting. Until that happens Americans are doomed to live in a society with increasing violence and ignorance. What's frightening is that this is unlikely to happen without violence in a society which has shown little restraint about turning guns on its own citizens.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by GePap
The worsdt trend is the continuing shift in power form the legaslative branch to the executive branch of government.

I've always marvelled that a country which was founded on the denial of royal authority should create their own disposable consumer-friendly "ruler" whom they treat just like a king (he has his own palace and music, etc.).

[Whaleboy]

Agathon, have I ever mentioned that you rock! Wanna swap brains? Or at least posts?

Consider a society that is struggling to reconcile its past with its future (look at the guns thing). Would it be fair to say that America is a society whose greatest fear is that it will be a flash in the pan, and not a true civilisation? I fear that these orwellian measures will make the nightmare a reality.

[Arrian]

I've always marvelled that a country which was founded on the denial of royal authority should create their own disposable consumer-friendly "ruler" whom they treat just like a king (he has his own palace and music, etc.).

[Ned]

Originally posted by Rothy
I'm with slow, this Ves guy is losing the plot, and perhaps should go into something like fortune telling, cos they talk crap too.

Anyway, I woudnt be sure the demo's will find a strong opponent next election, there was only one Bill Clinton. You guys should have 3 parties.

Rothy, we kinda do have three parties. We have had strong independent candidates since the '68 election, when Wallace ran. A lot of the disaffected Democrats have voted for these third party candidates rather than voting Republican.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by elijah
Seeing as how I am on the topic of spain, here is my view on the problems in America right now.

Susurre las palabras de la sabidurÃa, déjelas ser

Someone tell me if thats right? I dont have the heart to plaigerise the Beatles but my spanish is way too rusty.

Whatever will be will be, all I and others can do is say our pieces and campaign, leave the rest to history.

I don't remember any Beattles quotes that talk about whispering. Are you sure you aren't trying to say "Que sera, sera"?

BTW Ming gets upset when people don't speak in English.

[Ned]

Originally posted by Agathon
I don't see why anyone thinks this is controversial. Democracy in the US has been suffering a downward trend at least since the early seventies. It looks like going back to the bad old days of policy for who can afford it and "good government" for everyone else.

What else is supposed to happen when the wealthy can basically subvert the system at will? Other countries have publicly financed elections and strict controls on donations to prevent this from happening. The result is a more flexible and responsive government and a higher voter turnout.

The Democrats are basically a joke; no more than Republicans in sheep's clothing. And the influence of Straussians in the current administration just shows how corrupt and meaningless the whole thing has become. I've always wondered what Lincoln would say if he could see the current situation; my bet is that he'd break down and cry.

A complete overhaul of the electoral system is required as well as public funding for elections and a proper public health system and an increased role for public broadcasting. Until that happens Americans are doomed to live in a society with increasing violence and ignorance. What's frightening is that this is unlikely to happen without violence in a society which has shown little restraint about turning guns on its own citizens.

Ag, I personally have not seen a shift in power to the Executive. The most powerful president in the last century was Roosevelt, who tried to pack the Supreme Court. As proof, I contrast Bill Clinton and George Bush II. Clinton did not consult Congress before declaring war on Yugoslavia. Bush did consult Congress before declaring war on Iraq. The difference points to a shift in power back to Congress.