"The America of today is a laboratory example if what can happen to democracies, what has eventually happened to all perfect democracies throughout history. A perfect democracy, a 'warm body' democracy in which every adult may vote and all votes count equally, has no internal feedback for self-correction. It depends solely on the wisdom and self-restaint of citizens... which is opposed by the folly and lack of self-restraint of other citizens. What is supposed to happen in a democracy is that each soveriegn citizen will always vote in public interest for the safety and welfare of all. But what does happen is that he votes his own self-interest as he sees it... which for the majority translates as 'Bread and Circuses'.[/b]
Bread and Circuses is the cancer of democracy, the fatal disease for which there is no cure. Democracy often works beautifully at first. But once the state extends the franchise to every warm body, be he producer or parasite, that day marks the beginning of the end of the state. For when the plebs discover that they can vote themselves bread and circuses without limit and that the productive members of the body politic cannot stop them, they will do so, until the state bleeds to death, or in it's weakened condition the state succums to an invader - the barbarians enter Rome."
For when the plebs discover that they can vote themselves bread and circuses without limit and that the productive members of the body politic cannot stop them, they will do so, until the state bleeds to death, or in it's weakened condition the state succums to an invader - the barbarians enter Rome."
Do I believe Heinlein as quoted, yes. Do I believe the Republic is doomed, no. I see a glimmer of hope, an awaking of the masses. Which could be affirmed in next weeks elections, and can only grow next year.
I don't share your optimism. The current type of elected Republicans have proven that they aren't fit to lead either. They controlled both Houses of Congress and the WH not too many years back.
What did they do with it?
Did they repeal any liberal laws? Nope.
Did they fix Social Security? Nope.
Did they fix medicare/medicade? Nope.
Did they pass any laws to help protect and defend citizen's liberties? Not that I can recall.
Did they secure the borders agains the invasion of illegal immigrants? Nope.
Both of the current major parties are merely opposite sides of the same coin. Ultimately they are both about controlling the people instead of serving them. They merely go about it using differetn tactics. IMO.
Four or even 8 years of totally incompetent leadership won't be the death bell.
I don't share your optimism. The current type of elected Republicans have proven that they aren't fit to lead either. They controlled both Houses of Congress and the WH not too many years back.
What did they do with it?
Did they repeal any liberal laws? Nope.
Did they fix Social Security? Nope.
Did they fix medicare/medicade? Nope.
Did they pass any laws to help protect and defend citizen's liberties? Not that I can recall.
Did they secure the borders agains the invasion of illegal immigrants? Nope.
Both of the current major parties are merely opposite sides of the same coin. Ultimately they are both about controlling the people instead of serving them. They merely go about it using differetn tactics. IMO.
This country is indeed doomed.
The current Communist in Chief is just the beginning, the real end of the country is coming as thousands of kids who were "educated" under No Child Left Behind hit the workforce.
There is an entire generation of complete idiots headed towards us and nothing can be done to stop it.
I'm not as concerned about compete idiots as much as I am the intelligent ones that indoctrinated into the Liberal way of thinking in our public schools. They are the ones that will do us in.
What scares me is that most people believe we live in a democracy. WRONG. We live in a Republic. Major difference. A democracy is a system of mob rule. A Republic is a system of laws. Why aren't schools teaching this? Oh who am I kidding. The schools are run by libTURDs. Private school or military academy for my kids when I have them.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Never underestimate the social upheaval resulting from financial collapse. For all intents and purposes, the financial destruction occurring at the end of the Weimar Republic brought us Hitler. This is not to make the daft argument that, "ZOMG HITLER IZ COMMING," but one could argue that he never would have had even the smallest foothold had Germany's economy not collapsed.
And that "job growth" Obama keeps bragging about is all government . I can't believe his job approval rating is 49%.
49% of Americans are obviously morons.
Just IMO - but passing laws is not the way to defend liberties. Repealing laws is.
Just IMO - but passing laws is not the way to defend liberties. Repealing laws is.
Amazing how much you know more about this country, as it was intended, than the DUmbasses.
You're on the wrong side of the Pacific, bro. We need to get you on the voter rolls. :cheersmate:
I've been watching a re-run of an 80s series, "V- The Visitors". I can see many parallels to today's America. I KNOW which side I'll be on.
We are headed towards that way until we got some serious fiscal responsible people in power. This country can easily become a third world country if left unchecked for awhile leading to global instability, mass poverty always leads to violence and war.
The stimilus package was the worst thing that ever happened to the United States domestic policy. That stimilus money created a lot of government jobs, when the stimilus money runs out, those jobs are still there and there will be only 3 choices:
1. cut the jobs (not likely)
2. go into deeper deficit
3. raise taxes
Creating an endless spiral of debt and/or taxation until you get rid of those positions.
And that "job growth" Obama keeps bragging about is all government jobs while the private sector continues to go down.
Obama is an ***hole who screwed this country in the worst way possible. I can't believe his job approval rating is 49%.
49% of Americans are obviously morons.
What scares me is that most people believe we live in a democracy. WRONG. We live in a Republic. Major difference. A democracy is a system of mob rule. A Republic is a system of laws. Why aren't schools teaching this? Oh who am I kidding. The schools are run by libTURDs. Private school or military academy for my kids when I have them.
Ummm... You might want to take a good look at how things have been in this country for the past few decades.
It resembles a democracy more than it does a republic IMO.
:fuelfire:
I would beg to differ, at least as far as the Stimulus bill and HCR go. The Dimrats are not voting the majority will, they are voting their personal ideology.
I would beg to differ, at least as far as the Stimulus bill and HCR go. The Dimrats are not voting the majority will, they are voting their personal ideology.
Off topic a bit here but as long as economics is in discussion...
What happens the day Iran announces they have a functioning nuclear device(s)?
Where does the commodity price of oil futures and pump prices go and what is the result on our economy?