President Bush continues to bastardize our knowledge of history.

[Elok]

Remember: "Freedom is on the march." That was all W said during the first debate with Kerry, and it was a lot more annoying than this bit about democracy.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by duke o' york


Yeah, you should have held it until your partner led with the 7 of spades.

Entering the war in Iraq seemed pretty unpopular with the people in yookay, but in we went anyway. It didn't seem too democratic, but it's unlikely W will order our invasion for undemocratic principles. Democracies very rarely act according to democratic principles - it's as simple as that.

I accept that democratic governments often abandon principle but often when they do so they do what they believe* is in the interests of the country they are representing - or is otherwise a vote winner. What concerns me more than the abandon of democratic principle is the abandon of doing what is best for the people they represent. Often this may be the same thing, often it is not.

*I see little personal gain for Blair or his supporters in invading Iraq, and it was a vote loser. Leaves him doing what he believed was best for the country, by hook or crook. Bush et als motives are more debatable.

[duke o' york]

What I'm suggesting is that a true democracy calls for a referendum for absolutely every tiny decision. This is ridiculous, so a quasi-democracy is the best we can hope for, and, lo and behold, that's what we've got!

[Arrian]

Clearly. True democracy doesn't work above a certain size (what, maybe 100 people?). Representative democracy/republics are the best we've got so far. And you will therefore get decisions that are divergent from public opinion at the time. Which in some cases is a very good thing, IMO. NOT THIS TIME, though. (edit: w/regard to UK public opinion. I'm aware of the poll data from the US, which is depressing to me).

-Arrian

[Dauphin]

I'm saying democracy sucks, be it morally lead or be it populist.

[Arrian]

Sure, ok, it sucks. Is there something better, or does Churchill's line continue to apply?

-Arrian

[Dauphin]

Churchill always applies, I would have loved to go drinking with him too.

[Serb]

"...democracy... my precious!"

[OneFootInTheGrave]

Originally posted by Sava
Dubya = dope

MrFun: Why do you get mad when he says something stupid?

You are going to get an ulcer.

Stop.

Bush is funny though, he should be the first president to start a comedy show after his tenure. Perhaps he could do something like the Osbournes. I am sure it would net him millions and be the most watched show for years.

[notyoueither]

The US is a republic, not a democracy...

/me runs

[MrFun]

NYE, go to the White House and explain that to Bush.

[Berzerker]

The US wasnt really a democracy prior to the 20th century when womans suffrage and the process for picking senators changed to a popular vote

[notyoueither]

Britain isn't a democracy because of the Queen and the House of Lords?

[Colonâ„¢]

I think people are forgetting about an unique benefit that representative democracries provide, namely preventing excessive concentration of power. Even if policies do not reflect the wishes of the population perfectly, they are effective in constant rotation of leaders and limiting the power a single leader can exert over the entire system, thereby containing abuse. In that sense, I think it's more important to have parties that simply oppose one another, than it is to have parties with programmes that seemlessly reflect the concerns of an individual voter.

[StarLightDeath]

Today, he held a meeting with a group of people in Louisville, Kentucky to discuss and answer questions from the audience on the war in Iraq and the war on terror.

He made a statement that almost compelled me to throw my remote control at my television -- he said that history has shown that democracies yield peace, which I guess would include United States.


Apparently, he doesn't know anything about our aggression against the various Amerindian cultures in the 18th and 19th centuries.

He also doesn't know anything about our aggression against Mexico in the 19th century.

He also doesn't know anything about our grab for imperial power overseas during the late 19th century through most of the 20th century.

He also isn't aware of the propping up of bloody, cruel, anti-communist dictatorships in Latin American countries during the 20th century.



Or, he does know all of this, but he cynically retorts to simplistic, soundbite rhetoric to dupe his supporters -- who are in the minority now.

You are absolutely right Mr Fun. However, I don't feel your words of wisdom are reaching the masses like they could be. It is your destiny to teach the stupid Americans how evil they truely are. Take up the cause and travel America educating the people of their folly and the atrocious history of America. We need to better understand why people hate us and you are the man to do this. Make sure you call the Repugs racists and Nazis along the way as you empower the pinko commies that are the Democratic party. With you in the forefront leading the fight against the evil empire I know there is no way the ignorant people of this nation will continue to support Bush.