Do we really want Democracy?

[GePap]

In the latest poll, 57% of Amnericna support a war with a coolition of the willing:Such a majority is hardly cuase for celebrations of the type chickenhwaks make.

Also, saying you support somehting to a pollster is a passive act. Protesting requires you to get of your ass. As such, it is a signal of deeper sentiment. If so, prowar sentiment is slightly more widespread but also more passive, while anti-war sentiment, while less widespread, shows signs of being more heartfelt. And it is protestors who make policy, hence American gun policy and Abortion policy.

Those two things been said: the masses, whether they support or oppose war, are ignorant. They have neither the ime, nor the inclination, to delve deeply into any topic that may come up unless they had a prior personal interest. Mpost supporters of the war do it simply out of fear, without a worthiwhile reason, as do most opponets of war. If that sound elitist, good because I am one.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Oh, man. Is that another veiled joke, Cal ?
Youe humor is as dry as the Texas sand, so it's hard to tell.

No, I actually do think it's the best way.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov


That depends on to whom he is benevolent.

His people.

[OliverFA]

Ok, tell me what system would you use instead of republic. A communist system maybe? No thanks. I prefer democracy with all its flaws.

[Caligastia]

Communism has only killed 100 million people, lets give it another chance.

[DuncanK]

Originally posted by Caligastia
Communism has only killed 100 million people, lets give it another chance.

I imagine you pulled this figure out of your ass, but anyway it's the leaders who are responsible for the deaths. The same in capitalist countries. It's not the ideology.

[Japher]

It was written on a protestor's sign in SF last weekend.

I think it was intended as a joke.

[Shi Huangdi]

I think the ideal system is a democracy with a strong enforced constitution that strictly limits what the government can do.

[oedo]

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except all those others that have been tried from time to time.

[Sandman]

Communism doesn't kill people, people kill people.

[Caligastia]

People don't kill communism, communism kills communism.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
People=Democracy, and yes, we want it.
Che, David, and Sava can go to Cuba.

Whew -- I'm glad gay Yankees are not on your exile list.


Anyway, in regards to the thread's question -- a democracy in which the mass supports their government based on official propaganda is definitely questionable.

But the ideal, which has never been accomplished, would be a democracy with stronger representation, by increasing the participation of voters. Sadly, voting participation is what -- less than 50% of those who are legally able to vote?

[chequita guevara]

I swill beer and like NASCAR.

[Imran Siddiqui]

As such, it is a signal of deeper sentiment. If so, prowar sentiment is slightly more widespread but also more passive, while anti-war sentiment, while less widespread, shows signs of being more heartfelt.

The reason is that protestors are going against the way the government is going. Pro-war people can BE more passive, because their way is winning right now.

I swill beer and like NASCAR.

You know what I meant . And blame Sava .

I swill beer, and just started watching NASCAR (Hell, I watch basically all sports... well, except basketball ).

[Az]

Currently, democracy is the most effective form of government.