Who have you elected?

Big changes, huh?
Suckers...

http://www.gnn.tv/articles/2722/Anatomy_of_the_Midterms

 

Sneering at democracy is so clever.

 

How is this thread "sneering at democracy"?

 

Democracy? What is democracy?

 

In this world?
Non-existent.

 

http://www.nathancullen.ca/

 

We live in a democracy. I dont see why a democracy would be expected to produce wild swings in policies - it has always been a battle for the center. Even under Bush, could they privatise social security? Get rid of dividend taxes? No, they compromised. Maybe you dont like the center, but i don´t see how that means we don´t live in a democracy.

 

I think its a pretty arguable case that the move to catch-all parties with telegenic leaders and away from parties based on ideology has had a negative effect on democracy.

 

well put.

(btw, everytime i see your posts i think of "Spoonman" by Soundgarden...)

 

I read a really good article about this during first year... I'll see if I can dig it out - its about polls hurting democracy. Still, its probably buried beneath two hundred pounds of old notes and textbooks.

 

HMmmm ... that is food for thought.

Personally I think one of the biggest harms to democracy is lack of participation by informed voters. I'd guess that's pretty much the definition of democracy dying.

Peace,
poor_old_dad

 

What it does is stifle the development of new ideas in favour of what is popular with the public (regardless of what is effective).

 

Informed based on what? Whatever Katie Couric says?

 

I'm not as sure for Americans, but to me there isn't much of a mystery about the Canadian system.

I'm friends with both my MP and MLA, I've met my head of party (federally twice, provincially eight or nine times and we're on a first name basis). I've had dinners with former premiers - and guess what, none of them ever mentioned secret societies of Jewish bankers controlling their minds.

 

Yeah, that's kind of what I'm thinking ... most voters would rather be spoon fed (sorry, no pun intended) what to think rather than putting forth the effort themseles. In that scenario the polls would be the spoon. As in "The polls show that 56% of the people think XYZ." Oh, well, I guess I should think XYZ too.
Peace,
poor_old_dad

 

I'm more referring more to the fact that a party won't dare to commit an unpopular move.

I think this move towards catch-all parties was a significant factor in the failure of Keynesian politics.

 

I don't think the election was so much about changing direction, as putting on the brakes. And by installing a democratic congress under a republican administration, I think most intelligent voters realise that's what they have accomplished. Both sides now are under public scrutiny and there should be fewer cases of heavy handed policy and rights infringements, without oversight and investigation.

 

Thats exactly what that vote was-Bringing down the Bush dictatorship. The man was over the top-He listened to noone and did anything he wanted. He ignored the American people and his approval rating hit 30%-Now him and his cronies are being held accountable-The people have spoken and Bush is now president in name only-His glory days are gone and he is not the Great Liberator!-He can be reached at realameduck.com for autograph signing-please spell it slowly-

 

yah okay..sure. but last time I checked you live in America too (correct me if I am wrong of course). I find it funny when you or PR makes a post..even if its to state a valid point you present it in a tone that is almost as if you are saying "bwahahaha, you are all doooomed, hahaha."

instead of simply saying why we are all screwed, do something positive to spread the word to people who do not know why we are screwed and advise them as to the possible steps as well. because as of now you come off as someone who seems to hate mankind and place yourself as somehow above all other americans. Obviously if we are screwed SO ARE YOU.

the stance in which you deliver your points, its just to much of the high and mighty sort. I say this in hope that you realize how you come across to some people.

 

who isn't entirely the point. there is after all, no such thing as anyone actualy representing the interests of anyone else. much as we, in the so called free world, have systems of governance that pretend to.

there is a sign of hope. whatever the replacement of a rubber stamp for tyranny congress with one that at least paid lip service to opposing the existing disasterous course, can or will actualy chainge, the phenomina of their getting elected itself, signals a hopeful chainge, if not in the halls of power, at least certainly, in the willpower of 'we the people'.

i aggree wholeheartedly that we can't just sit back and expect this to magicly chainge everything. i'm not THAT naive, however much those with vested axes would like to paint those of us who attempt to be honest with ourselves and what we see with our own eyes.

of course activists of every stripe and interest need to keep pressing forward on issues that interest them, just as the paid lobbiests of the corporatocracy 'never sleep'.

but i don't think we gain by belittling what hope we may have purchased ourselves at the polls either.

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