Which world leader poses the bigger threat to America’s Democracy?
Jun 2, 2019 13:19:44 #
Jun 2, 2019 13:43:18 #
Frank T wrote:
I've read many books.
I suggest you have someone read one to you.
I suggest you have someone read one to you.
Sorry, he was not talking about picture books.
Jun 2, 2019 13:47:04 #
Jun 2, 2019 15:10:54 #
EyeSawYou wrote:
Sorry, he was not talking about picture books.
Come on Rac.
I thought you were better than that.
Jun 2, 2019 15:55:24 #
Frank T wrote:
Come on Rac.
I thought you were better than that.
I thought you were better than that.
Picture books with imaginary flying dudes who wear underwear over their tights. Thought you’d recognize that by now.
Jun 2, 2019 16:11:01 #
wooden_ships wrote:
Putin, Kim, Xi, or Trump?
You forgot one and he would be the correct choice of the group. Bernie Sanders without question.
Jun 2, 2019 16:20:18 #
LWW wrote:
America is not a democracy.
Democracy is the greatest threat to American liberty.
Democracy is the greatest threat to American liberty.
"America is not a democracy" That's a bit pedantic but to be precise it is a democratic republic. Having gotten past that distraction, in a sense you are correct that Democracy is a threat to America's liberty. However, I would say ignorance is the greater threat. Ignorant voters count just as much as the educated voters. When democracy begins to fail, populism rises to takes its place (populism - a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.) Populism appeals to the worst among us. Populism is a slippery slope destined to devolve to mob rule or martial law; either way, it's the demise of democracy.
Lao Tzu had it right in the 6th century BC; "the best form of government is a benevolent dictatorship".
Jun 2, 2019 16:21:52 #
wooden_ships wrote:
"America is not a democracy" That's a b... (show quote)
We are a Federal Constitutional Republic
Jun 2, 2019 16:47:44 #
wooden_ships wrote:
"America is not a democracy" That's a b... (show quote)
We have the best form of government where every citizen has the benefit of the Bill of Rights that goes along with personal responsibility. Our federal government as it was designed is not there to protect us from ourselves, but from our foreign and domestic enemies. It is not there to for us to be dependent upon when we fail to provide what we need for ourselves. Our Constitution, which has outlasted any other government regime, specifically states what the Federal Government is allowed to do and no more. Yet over the years it has been allowed to overreach its boundaries to do what was never designed.
Our job is to beat it back into the box no matter how much the swamp dwellers holler, squeal and fight back.
Jun 2, 2019 17:34:59 #
BigBear wrote:
We have the best form of government where every ci... (show quote)
That was well stated but we are of differing opinions. Over the years our country has evolved, as our society has evolved; we have become more citizen focused. Back in 1776, the 13 colonies had 2.5 million people; in 2018 we had 327.2 million people. The federal (and state) governments have grown in response to the growth of the nation. However, I agree, like all pendulums, it has swung too far and is in need of correction. It is the degree and scope of that correction where we will differ.
We are the longest democracy in history (or a federal republic and a constitutional representative democracy if you want to be really specific!) Yet ask a grammar school student what we're called in our Pledge of Allegiance, he'll tell you "to the republic for which it stands". Ask an ordinary citizen what we are and he'll say a democracy. However, as for longest form of government, I imagine Rome and Egypt might beg to differ.
Jun 2, 2019 17:55:15 #
wooden_ships wrote:
That was well stated but we are of differing opini... (show quote)
Our Constitution specifically states what the Federal government is allowed to do regardless of the population.
How do you see it differently ??
Jun 2, 2019 18:50:25 #
BigBear wrote:
Our Constitution specifically states what the Federal government is allowed to do regardless of the population.
How do you see it differently ??
How do you see it differently ??
How many times has the Constitution been amended since it’s inception? What changes were required for the Constitution to remain relevant to the growth and changes in our society?
Amending the Constitution began in 1791, just 4 years after ratification. Why? To address needs of an evolving society. You could make the argument that the amendments began the process of increasing Federal growth and power.
Jun 2, 2019 20:02:46 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
Frank T wrote:
I've read many books.
I suggest you have someone read one to you.
I suggest you have someone read one to you.
Yours, by your own admission, were about imaginary flying men who wear their underpants over their tights.
Jun 2, 2019 20:08:35 #
LWW
Loc: Banana Republic of America
Angmo wrote:
We are a Federal Constitutional Republic
My point exactly.
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on who is for dinner.
Jun 2, 2019 22:11:52 #
wooden_ships wrote:
How many times has the Constitution been amended since it’s inception? What changes were required for the Constitution to remain relevant to the growth and changes in our society?
Amending the Constitution began in 1791, just 4 years after ratification. Why? To address needs of an evolving society. You could make the argument that the amendments began the process of increasing Federal growth and power.
Amending the Constitution began in 1791, just 4 years after ratification. Why? To address needs of an evolving society. You could make the argument that the amendments began the process of increasing Federal growth and power.
The first 10 amendments were not included in the original draft because the founders felt that the Bill of Rights were implied and did not need to be mentioned. After deliberating they decided to make it so there was no question what our rights were and added them. Pretty smart of them 'eh.
Aside from the 2 amendments regarding alcohol, the rest of them were directly aimed toward the People and did not change the scope and authority of the government. The process is not a quick and simple one that happens over a period of a few months or years. That keeps the Constitution from becoming a legal yo-yo depending on which party is in the majority.
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