Study: US is an oligarchy, not a democracy

[PLATO]

No, but it sounds like you are desperately trying to send us back there.

Decentralization just makes corruption cheaper and easier.

You know what is easier to control than 300 million voters? 5 or 10 or 20 million voters.

I kind of look at it the opposite way. Who is a politician more responsible to...300 million voters or 250,000 that he/she lives in the middle of?

That being said...don't forget that the federal government would still be around to oversee problems and guarantee rights.

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

PLATO, I get the idea that Tennessee government is no better that in NC on average, and I look at NC government throughout my life and am glad I have the feds to protect me from those clowns...

[Sava]

I kind of look at it the opposite way. Who is a politician more responsible to...300 million voters or 250,000 that he/she lives in the middle of?

That being said...don't forget that the federal government would still be around to oversee problems and guarantee rights.

State politicians already ignore the will of the people. What makes you think they'd get better by having even more power?

Your ideology doesn't even pass basic muster.

Try again.

[PLATO]

PLATO, I get the idea that Tennessee government is no better that in NC on average, and I look at NC government throughout my life and am glad I have the feds to protect me from those clowns...

My state rep lives less than a mile from me. No secret service...kids go to school down the street...See him around town every so often. I know what to do when he gets out of line.

There was a proposal for a state income tax in Tennessee a few years ago. The citizens surrounded the capital in a parade of honking cars...the Governor and the legislature dropped the idea.

It is hard to imagine either of these being possible at the federal level.

I do agree that any level of government can become oppressive, but with more power to the States they can help keep the feds in check and the feds can continue to keep the States in check...the way I believe it was originally intended.

[PLATO]

State politicians already ignore the will of the people. What makes you think they'd get better by having even more power?

Your ideology doesn't even pass basic muster.

Try again.

Well...I believe it does pass muster. I guess we will just have to disagree. My State politicians seem to be more responsive to my wishes than federal politicians do,

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

The government wants to make us slaves by the nature of the beast. The bossmen want the same because they're bossmen. When the two are in dynamic opposition, not cahoots, we tend to win best.

Same for parties, same for federal v. state - only more a matter of keeping each other sharp and efficient.

[PLATO]

same for federal v. state - only more a matter of keeping each other sharp and efficient.

This is why we need States that have real power...to counter balance the real power that the feds already have

[Sava]

Well...I believe it does pass muster. I guess we will just have to disagree. My State politicians seem to be more responsive to my wishes than federal politicians do,

What state do you live in again?

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

He's in Tennessee.

This is why we need States that have real power...to counter balance the real power that the feds already have

You are thinking of things the way they should be, not how they tend to really work, I think. My experience of government is that there's little bare competence below the federal level.

Small(est feasible) government is a thing the conservatives (as opposed to the reactionaries muddying the water the last 30 years) are basically right about...

[PLATO]

What state do you live in again?

Tennessee.

Go Vols!

[DinoDoc]

My experience of government is that there's little bare competence below the federal level.

I haven't seen bare competence as a general rule at the Federal level in decades.

[Felch]

No, but it sounds like you are desperately trying to send us back there.

Decentralization just makes corruption cheaper and easier.

You know what is easier to control than 300 million voters? 5 or 10 or 20 million voters.

Do you think it's easier to be corrupt in Iceland or China?

[AAAAAAAAH!]

It's much easier to be corrupt in a country with less free speech.

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

[self biased]

What state do you live in again?

...denial?