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Is democracy truly a universal human goal?

satricion, that really puts the US's 'mission to spread democracy to the world' in a less positive light. Pretty much the modern equivalent of the White Man's Burden or Manifest Destiny. Old wine in new wineskins.

yougene said:
If such a massive shift occurs in another culture, democracy isn't a given outcome( They could come up with something unique to their culture that also represents values of the rational world-view ), but it is a likely one.

Due to the high degree of interconnectedness in today's world, I assume?
 
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MyDoorsAreOpen said:
Due to the high degree of interconnectedness in today's world, I assume?

Because the way has already been paved by those who came before. So yes in a way.
 
>>Could you elaborate on this? It seems to me that large scale democracy is more possible the more things progress, not the other way around.
>>

It might be the case that the raw size of the polities and extremely high degree of specialization and differentiation between individuals in modern society disallow politics based in deliberation among all parties involved. If this is the case, then we have no recourse but to representation. Representation is necessarily oligarchical in character because of the immediate split between party officials, bureaucrats in the state, and the ruled. The rulers come to follow their own institutional interests rather than the purported goals with which they captivate the ruled.

The only out might be some highly decentralized, small-scale system of democratic self-management, but this seems pretty unlikely to me.

ebola
 
ebola? said:
>>Could you elaborate on this? It seems to me that large scale democracy is more possible the more things progress, not the other way around.
>>

It might be the case that the raw size of the polities and extremely high degree of specialization and differentiation between individuals in modern society disallow politics based in deliberation among all parties involved.
Probably. I think a small scale commune/democracy structures that feed into ever-larger structures could be an interesting compromise.

If this is the case, then we have no recourse but to representation. Representation is necessarily oligarchical in character because of the immediate split between party officials, bureaucrats in the state, and the ruled. The rulers come to follow their own institutional interests rather than the purported goals with which they captivate the ruled.
Is it necessarily oligarchal? Sure, technically the representatives can do whatever they want, but will they? Looking at today's politics they generally will, but is that a reflection of democracy, the individual representatives, or the cultural and political context? I don't think representative government is necessarily corrupt( but a likely scenario ). Humans aren't static entities, and neither are political environments.

I think democracy often doesn't work not because it's inherently flawed but because all the pieces aren't there yet. It's a continual work in progress that's only been around several centuries.
 
>>Is it necessarily oligarchal?>>

Okay...necessarily is a bit of a strong way of putting things. However, it is an overwhelming systemic tendency for representatives to behave oligarchically. Why? Even representatives who begin with good intentions find themselves in a hierarchical system of subjugation and rule, and find their organizational interests to be at odds with the substantive interests of the masses. Furthermore, empirically, we have not yet seen "representation" that lives up to its pretenses.

So what are the pieces that need to be added to fix this?

ebola
 
I think you're trying to mix terms...


Democracy = authoritarian mob rule (absolute democracy)
But can also be....
Democracy = mob rule UNLESS the rights of an individual would be infringed upon to benefit the mob. (Constitutional)


There is a big argument about what the U.S. is...
We have a constitutional Republic.
For whatever reason, people want to make a big distinction between the two - Republic and Democracy...


This is irrelevant - as it doesn't touch upon the actual controversy; rights v. privileges.

http://Revolutioni.st/ivc.html

Individualism v. Collectivism

That's what you're really asking - not democracy v. other....

You want to know if FREEDOM and LIBERTY are best for the individuals inside society...
Or if the destruction of freedom and liberty for the benefit of society are best for the individuals inside society.


Check out those videos...
And think about that...

We have a constitutional republic/democracy(technically republic, which is important only because those that have the power are elected - rather than the people voting on their own... That's the only difference between a republic and a democracy... In a Constitutional Democracy, even a majority vote would not be able to infringe upon the rights of the individual. For more, see The Constitution Class).
The government is NOT authoritarian - they are restricted from infringing upon our rights(See; The Declaration of Independence,the Constitution and Bill of Rights) - we, the people, are sovereign and our rights are superior to all acts of government (law making).

Our government is currently committing treason against the sovereign of this nation... We no longer have our constitutional republic.
For more info see http://LysanderSpooner.org - Under "Works" - find the "No Treason" article.

For a 2nd declaration of Independence, written for today - in a preliminary effort to draft a pink slip (to fire) the government that has illegally seized authoritarian control of the united states of America's government...
http://New.Revolutioni.st - feel free to leave feedback/comments.


A constitutional republic/democracy is different from an absolute democracy/republic - where the RIGHTS are inherent in the state, and are granted to the people as privileges..
 
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>>
Democracy = authoritarian mob rule (absolute democracy)
But can also be....
Democracy = mob rule UNLESS the rights of an individual would be infringed upon to benefit the mob. (Constitutional)
>>

Yes...this is I guess from the Greek moving through the European Enlightenment tradition.

We can also think of democracy as the political system whereby people actively deliberate to create, transform, limit, etc. all political decisions which affect them. This would be direct or participatory democracy. We have seen this among small Greco-roman groups (slavery aside) for brief periods.

It is this type of democracy that leftist revolutionaries advocate and others decry as impossible.

>>
There is a big argument about what the U.S. is...
We have a constitutional Republic.
For whatever reason, people want to make a big distinction between the two - Republic and Democracy...
>>

I would say that it is oligarchical rule dressed up in pretenses of republican representation and individual rights (like are in the constitution).

ebola
 
>>Individualism v. Collectivism

That's what you're really asking - not democracy v. other....

You want to know if FREEDOM and LIBERTY are best for the individuals inside society...
Or if the destruction of freedom and liberty for the benefit of society are best for the individuals inside society.
>>

mmmm...

Per Marx, I would say that the opposition between the individual and the collective is partially predicated on a particular societal configuration. Namely, it is when individuals are radically separated from one another by the system of private property that there can be no true community, so a false community, the state, is projected. Thus emerges the conflict between individual rights and the state's pretenses (mostly unrealized) of establishing the common good.

Per Foucault, though, personal freedom and individual rights are illusory. First, the juridical rights by which we are all equal (equality before the law) are predicated on hierarchical, unequal relationships of power, extending down to our micro-level, day-to-day activities. Second, these power relationships in-form the ways in which we are able to think and the objects of our desire. When power functions like this, there can be no free individual with "untainted" goals to be willed and executed.

ebola
 
ebola? said:
>>
There is a big argument about what the U.S. is...
We have a constitutional Republic.
For whatever reason, people want to make a big distinction between the two - Republic and Democracy...
>>

I would say that it is oligarchical rule dressed up in pretenses of republican representation and individual rights (like are in the constitution).

ebola


It is now.
It isn't supposed to be.

Oligarchy - Oligarchy (Greek Ὀλιγαρχία, Oligarkhía) is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military powers). The word oligarchy is from the Greek words for "few" (ὀλίγον óligon) and "rule" (ἄρχω arkho).


We've voted out our rights.
We've voted out our voices...

And we've voted repeatedly for people of the same "group of friends" more or less for over 40 years now (at least as president...)

The common man no longer has rights, or a voice.

He has only the privileges granted to him by the government.


You have the priviliege of voting for puppet a or puppet b, but in reality your RIGHT to make the decisions...


Perfect example?
Ron Paul.

He's raised more money than any other republican the 4th quarter.
Yet he's still barely talked about in the news.
McCain's campaign is bankrupt.
Literally...

Yet he's still considered a front runner.

Ron Paul isn't part of their collective group.
He wants to give the people back their voice...

And those who profit from the current power scheme are doing everything they can to silence his message.


We'll see just how corrupt the system is...
How brainwashed the people are...


Ron Paul isn't perfect...
He isn't the last president we'll need...

And frankly, I'm torn between promoting him and promoting a complete dismantling of our government, establishing stronger protections against governmental infringements of our rights...
And starting over.

Everyone keeps trying to think in the box... think in the current form of government...


What was created by the constitution and declaration of independence was a GOOD constitutional republic (with the necessary additions of all HUMAN LIFE being created equal - not just white men).

What it has been corrupted and perverted into?

Eh.



But what it is corrupted into doesn't matter - technically - so long as you truly have a right to a fair trial...
Any infringement upon your rights by the government (drug possession = possession of private property, etc...) is a CRIME being committed against you.


The free exercise of your RIGHTS cannot be criminal.
And I'm staking my very limited freedom upon this principal.
(See the Legal Forum if you're interested. There's a lot of info there >_<)




You're right - we not longer have a constitutional republic.
We have an oligarchical pseudo-democracy wherein those with power give us issues for us to discuss and fight over - so we FEEL like we're saying something.

We feel that our vote matters - and sometimes, the smallest changes are made - generally to the ends of depriving a group of certain rights for the benefit of the collective "Whole" i.e. the voting community...
While those in power take their cut from the created program.

I don't see how Ron Paul can fix this - though he truly believes it must be fixed.

I say, give him a chance.
If he fails...
Then we, the people, will have to take matters into our own hands and tear down the destructive machine we have built through our lack of vigilance.
 
ebola? said:
Per Foucault, though, personal freedom and individual rights are illusory. First, the juridical rights by which we are all equal (equality before the law) are predicated on hierarchical, unequal relationships of power, extending down to our micro-level, day-to-day activities. Second, these power relationships in-form the ways in which we are able to think and the objects of our desire. When power functions like this, there can be no free individual with "untainted" goals to be willed and executed.

ebola


Marx I agree with.
That's pretty much the problem we're having right now - our individualism and rights are being sacrificed for the benefit of the state/ruling minority (as all corrupt political systems (socialist communism, not true communism, for true communism has never existed) become.


I don't understand Foucault though...

We were created equal PRIOR TO the law.
The law is supposed to ensure that all RIGHTS are protected equally...

The right of the weak to keep their land from the powerful...
The right of the poor to keep their liberty from the rich who would enslave them...
The right of all, despite social status, to life, no matter who may desire to take it from them...


Equal before the law shouldn't be that difficult - it should mean that any violation of ANYONE'S rights be treated equally.

If you do the CRIME (I.e. violate the rights of another) you should be punished the same as anyone else committing the same infringement upon another's same rights.

If you violate no one's RIGHTS, you have committed no crime.

Society cannot be the victim of a crime (with the single exeption of the destruction of public property, but as a partial owner of this property, any member of society has an equal right to use the property anyway... so even this is debatable).
Society has no RIGHTS to infringe upon.

By creating corporate identities, making the state a "person" with full rights of opinion...
We have created inequality.

It is the OPINION of the majority/congress that drugs are bad.
The state claims the RIGHT to prohibit drugs.
Violating this assumed RIGHT based on their opinion undermines the rights of the individual...

The state's opinion becomes superior to people's rights.
The state - an immortal entity which cannot be harmed - is now pitted against the common man who's life, liberty, and property can be taken from him because the state wills it to be so.



This imbalance in the power structure ensures that no one is treated equally... Because the will and opinion of the state becomes firmly seated fact.

How can the common man challenge the WILL of an immortal being who dictates how the world will operate?
How does the common man combat this false GOD?
 
>>
We've voted out our rights.
We've voted out our voices...>>

What I'm saying is that even if we had our rights and even if we had proper representatives, the political system would STILL tend towards oligarchical rule.

>>And frankly, I'm torn between promoting him and promoting a complete dismantling of our government, establishing stronger protections against governmental infringements of our rights...
And starting over.
>>

Not that I like Ron Paul all that much, but these two strategies are not mutually exclusive.

>>
What was created by the constitution and declaration of independence was a GOOD constitutional republic (with the necessary additions of all HUMAN LIFE being created equal - not just white men).>>

I think that there were problems from the start. Our founding fathers had severe misgivings about the capability of the "common man" to decide his own political affairs. Many items in the Bill of Rights were concessions added by American elites to convince the wider American populace to side with their colonial rulers rather than Britain. And then there's the whole women and slavery thing. :)

>>
But what it is corrupted into doesn't matter - technically - so long as you truly have a right to a fair trial...>>

If you can afford a better lawyer than the opposition. In this way, trial law often hurts the underprivileged.

>>
We were created equal PRIOR TO the law.
The law is supposed to ensure that all RIGHTS are protected equally...
>>

I would say that concrete relationships of power (in the workplace, in the hospital, in the family, etc.) produce us as individuals prior to the establishment of rights. What more, the administration of juridical rights depends on a bureaucratized state and a monitored, measured, and administered populace. Similarly, the modern state depends on a rational, capitalist economy, which depends on close disciplinary control of workers.

Disciplinary control (which is decidedly hierarchical and shapes our behavior and identity before the possibility of free action) is the dark underbelly of mass-democracy and political equality.

>>
Equal before the law shouldn't be that difficult - it should mean that any violation of ANYONE'S rights be treated equally.
>>

But what I'm saying is that so much of our lives lie outside of explicitly legal matters, where we are equal before the law. Legal equality cannot be enough.

>>How can the common man challenge the WILL of an immortal being who dictates how the world will operate?
How does the common man combat this false GOD?>>

The first step is seeing through it. We must realize that the state is only a false community and that the apparent equal rights it grants are thin distractions.

Then what? I wish I knew... :)

ebola
 
ebola? said:
>>
We've voted out our rights.
We've voted out our voices...>>

What I'm saying is that even if we had our rights and even if we had proper representatives, the political system would STILL tend towards oligarchical rule.

Ah... well...
Vigilance was to be the cost of liberty.

We stopped paying the price, and now we suffer for it.

>>And frankly, I'm torn between promoting him and promoting a complete dismantling of our government, establishing stronger protections against governmental infringements of our rights...
And starting over.
>>

Not that I like Ron Paul all that much, but these two strategies are not mutually exclusive.

But they are.
To support a president under the current political system...
Promote the current political system - and hope it corrects itself despite historical evidence that it will only continue to grow more corrupt (Insanity?)- and then leaving the same problems existent before Ron Paul's presidency to linger - threatening future generations?

This is compatible with supporting the elimination of the current political system and starting over?

I understand what you're saying - they don't HAVE to be exclusive - but it's hypocritical to support both.

I do see Ron Paul as a step in the right direction.
I don't see him as the ultimate solution.

If he fails to get into office, eliminating our government is the only course remaining if we hope to remain/re-become a free people.




What was created by the constitution and declaration of independence was a GOOD constitutional republic (with the necessary additions of all HUMAN LIFE being created equal - not just white men).>>

I think that there were problems from the start. Our founding fathers had severe misgivings about the capability of the "common man" to decide his own political affairs. Many items in the Bill of Rights were concessions added by American elites to convince the wider American populace to side with their colonial rulers rather than Britain. And then there's the whole women and slavery thing. :)

There were problems...
However the bill of rights were a critical part of getting the constitution amended.

The problem was that the Constitution did not establish equal protections - it did not ensure liberty and justice for all...

And these problems - ever the more apparent after 250 years - needs to me fixed and the loopholes closed so that we can ensure our rights are not infringed upon in the same way again.

A permanent solution will be difficult - just as the constitution was difficult - and was not a perfect permanent solution, but an ideal that they hoped would last.

>>
But what it is corrupted into doesn't matter - technically - so long as you truly have a right to a fair trial...>>

If you can afford a better lawyer than the opposition. In this way, trial law often hurts the underprivileged.

Inequality UNDER the law, not prior to it.

The law is now so tightly regulated that FACTS no longer have bearing upon anything...
Procedural process (expensive) and loopholes within it (if your budget permits) have allowed for this inequality to arise.


The courts are no longer fulfilling their intended purpose - to settle disputes among sovereign rulers of their own lives that cannot be solved peaceably by those involved.

Crimes against the state are fictitious claims against the sovereign individual - they are criminal attempts to deprive the sovereign of their rights of life, liberty, and property.


Criminal cases are nearly all fraudulent - there should be no criminal law short of theft, enslavement, and murder.

All matters are civil - between two people.
One person (plaintiff) feels wronged or harmed...
One person (defendant) is accused of the wrong or harm suffered.

Theft is even civil - however it becomes criminal when the plaintiff does not feel that his time is best spent trying to recover his losses at the hands of the defendant - and he asks the state to step in.

Most criminal cases are matters where the state steps in despite the desire of either party to get involved...

This is not the province of the state - to meddle in the affairs of the sovereign.

By doing so, it has packed the courts schedules necessitating the rules that ensure no one can achieve justice within the court system.


The rules of evidence...
Rules favoring the rich with money to spend on attorneys...
Are all made to prevent the state from acquiring evidence for which the state is a party.

The state should NEVER be a party to a criminal case - there must always be a plaintiff with RIGHTS - with STANDING - to bring the case.
The state MAY do so upon their behalf, but this party MUST exist.

Murder cases - the murder victim should have the state bring charges for them... the state should not just usurp the legal standing of the victim and claim its rights were violated.

Drug cases - there is no case - no plaintiff, no standing... There is nothing.

Theft - the person suffering loss is injured - there is standing.


Rules that prevent the state from acquiring evidence and presenting it exist to protect the people from governmental infringements upon their rights.

However, if the state could NOT bring charges against people themselves, this issue would be moot.

Assume that your house is your castle - anything you do inside it is your RIGHT to do (so long as no one else with rights complains of you violating their rights...) You cannot enslave someone on your property, chain them so they can never leave... You cannot murder someone on your property...

But short of that, you can do whatever you want - so long as they consent - or have the choice to leave.

That's liberty.

If this is the way things are - and the state THINKS you've committed a CRIME and decides to search your property...
And you have not committed a CRIME...

Nothing they find in your house can be brought against you - no new CRIME can exist because of your claim and exercise of your private property.

Only because the state can claim it has RIGHTS - and can place you on trial for violating these "RIGHTS" - which are no more than opinions and prohibitions of the exercise of your rights - do these rules need to exist.


The courts themselves, through the progressive creation of these rules of procedure have undermined the judicial system and eliminated equality and justice.

In a free state, these rules would not need to exist.

>>
We were created equal PRIOR TO the law.
The law is supposed to ensure that all RIGHTS are protected equally...
>>

I would say that concrete relationships of power (in the workplace, in the hospital, in the family, etc.) produce us as individuals prior to the establishment of rights. What more, the administration of juridical rights depends on a bureaucratized state and a monitored, measured, and administered populace. Similarly, the modern state depends on a rational, capitalist economy, which depends on close disciplinary control of workers.

Disciplinary control (which is decidedly hierarchical and shapes our behavior and identity before the possibility of free action) is the dark underbelly of mass-democracy and political equality.

But we aren't supposed to have mass-democracy or political equality.
Disciplinary control by the state is prohibited by the constitution.
Malum prohibitum crimes are prohibited by the constitution.

The constitution does not GRANT rights.
It does NOTHING to the sovereign people.
It only places limitations upon the intervention in the lives of the people by the government.

The government has crossed these limitations and is in violation of it's contract with the people - it is in violation of the Constitution.

As such, it has undermined it's authority - as the constitution is the sole source of governmental authority.

Our rights are divine - they are existent prior to the establishment of government.

The powers of government are inferior to our rights - their powers are derived from our rights.

They have increased their powers to supersede our rights.
Because of this, we have the disciplinary attempt to control the master (the individuals) by the servant (the state) through discipline and threats.

It is in direct conflict with the constitution - direct conflict with the concept of liberty...
And is an attempt to enslave the master by the servant.

>>
Equal before the law shouldn't be that difficult - it should mean that any violation of ANYONE'S rights be treated equally.
>>

But what I'm saying is that so much of our lives lie outside of explicitly legal matters, where we are equal before the law. Legal equality cannot be enough.
All matters are legal matters.

If you trade with someone, you enter into a contract - a contract is a legal matter.
If you touch someone, you infringe upon their rights - you violate their property by infringing upon their person as they are self owned - this is a legal matter.
If you step on someone's lawn you are trespassing - this is a legal matter.


The thing is, most of these things do not require a court to resolve the conflict between the people.
If you step on someone's foot at the store, you issue an apology, they accept it, and you both get on with your lives.

They are not obligated to accept your apology - they can ask for whatever retribution they desire.
If you cannot come to a compromise, the necessity for the court comes in - to resolve a difference that can only be solved by the courts as a last resort.

Your matter doesn't suddenly become LEGAL because you're going to court - you entered into a legal contract by associating with that person - a treaty between sovereign people.

Most of the time we consent to these intrusions upon our rights - we allow others to touch us in passing in a crowded place...
We waive our right to restitution when an accident takes place and we know we will heal, or the damage to our property is negligible and the damage was accidental.

We assert our right to restitution when the damage to our property is either intentional (criminal) or so great that we cannot heal easily (car wrecks, broken bones, bleeding, etc.. great damages to the body that cannot be healed)

However all these matters are LEGAL matters - arising from the confrontation of two KINGS - true rulers/masters of themselves with equal rights before the law.
The law is meant to ensure these rights are acknowledged equally.
The law has failed in this purpose and has become a tool of control by the state that was meant to serve but means to rule....

>>How can the common man challenge the WILL of an immortal being who dictates how the world will operate?
How does the common man combat this false GOD?>>

The first step is seeing through it. We must realize that the state is only a false community and that the apparent equal rights it grants are thin distractions.

Then what? I wish I knew... :)

ebola

The state does not GRANT equal rights.
It does not grant rights at all.

The constitution grants PRIVILEGES to the State in order that it may protect the NATURAL RIGHTS of the sovereign individuals.

The law does not ensure equal rights.
The law increases inequality in the exercise and protection of these rights.

The law, therefore, is in violation of its purpose - those enforcing it are in violation of their purpose, and those creating the law are in violation of their purpose.

Quick link;
http://revolutioni.st/liberty.html - the expanded philosophy of liberty... with commentary and jpg's added by me (ignore the bit about the civil flag - that turned out to be bogus information - the rest still stands...)

Constitutional RIGHTS are a complete fiction.
There is not one single constitutional right held by any person in these united states of America.

The constitution doesn't grant rights to the people - it grants privileges of power to the government.

The rights of the people are existent prior to the government; they cannot be taken by the privileged government...
 
ebola? said:
>>Is it necessarily oligarchal?>>

Okay...necessarily is a bit of a strong way of putting things. However, it is an overwhelming systemic tendency for representatives to behave oligarchically. Why? Even representatives who begin with good intentions find themselves in a hierarchical system of subjugation and rule, and find their organizational interests to be at odds with the substantive interests of the masses.
True, but the system does not exist autonomously from the masses. They are still very much in the equation. The masses simply don't have the cohesion or necessary skill set to make the best possible input. This ofcourse is perpetuated through the system for various reasons.

Furthermore, empirically, we have not yet seen "representation" that lives up to its pretenses.
In the cosmic nanosecond of 2000 years, that doesn't really mean much to me. I'm not saying an ideally perfect system is possible. Nothing is ideally perfect. I just think systems form acceptable balances between autonomy and completeness all the time, and this is no different.


So what are the pieces that need to be added to fix this?

Because it's such an interdependent system there really is no linear way of "fixing" it. I think the core of the problem can be addressed by researching, and encouraging healthy individual human development.

Harder said than done ofcourse. With the various culture wars going on not only between agrarian and industrial society but even amongst the different fields of academia how are we even to begin threading such a consensus? Regardless the work is being done slowly but steadily and will someday reach maturation. That is if we don't destroy ourselves in the meantime.
 
Yougene - "The core of the problem can be addressed by researching, and encouraging healthy INDIVIDUAL human development..."

Well... yeah.
Exactly.

Individual development requires individual liberty...

The entire concept of a constitutional government is to ensure individual liberty.
Our government has failed int this purpose.
They are actively destroying our individual liberties so that we cannnot grow as individuals - but as part of the collective.

Individuals are incapable of choosing anything for themselves at this point - because we rely on the government to decide nearly everything for us...

Where we can build houses...
Where we can dig holes... both on our private property...
What property we may and may not own...
What we may DO with this property once we own it...
What we can eat or buy...
What we can sell...

They punish us for buying certain vehicles...
They reward us for getting married...
And reward us again for having kids...

Individualism is outlawed (Drug laws, city ordinances on baggy clothing, school dress codes to ensure conformity, liquor licenses so you know where you can go - and if you choose to do something different your party is "busted", etc...)

And they still tell us we're a free people.


So what needs fixed?

Our liberty needs to be restored.
We need to have our liberty so we may grow as individuals.

The government needs put in their place - as the public servants, ruling by consented privilege - NOT authoritarian supremacy.

We the People need to take back the control of our nation, restore our rights, and then institute a new government - based upon the same constitutional restraints as the first one, but with additional protections/amendments/changes.

For a quick proposal on the changes...
http://new.revolutioni.st/changes.html

(It's a reply to a YouTube message - it was too long to send on there. The beginning bit was in response to, "Hey man. I've been thinking about your Declaration of Independence. I would be interested in hearing what you would want to replace the current government with. The Revolutionary War ended in democracy because Washington handed power to the people, which, since he had control of the army, he could very well have kept power before the constitution had a chance to be created. I agree that there is something horribly wrong with our country. What do you suggest?")
 
Is democracy truly a universal human goal?

It is not my goal. Therefore your question is now answered.
No.

It is rapidly failing dramatically in the US. The voting public is kept asleep and uneducated that they might be easily manipulated by the entrenched in power. Idiots now seem to vote for people to make laws, tell them how to live, what to do.. I don't think that the evidence can support allowing those who need to be told how to live, what to do and not to do, to choose their leaders. And the scum always rises to the top. (see; The Peter Principle) After what should be 200 years of refinement, as a political system, it fails as an experiment. Time to move on. Universal? Hahahahaha... Where would such ridiculous propaganda come from? Gov't? *__-

Instead? How about a benevolent despot?
Some king that is not corruptable (has nothing to gain), wise, intelligent, understands his natural relationship with his people, loves them and cares for them like his own mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers.. all family, compassion, love..
Sounds like a good start to me.
 
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namelesss said:
Is democracy truly a universal human goal?

It is not my goal. Therefore your question is now answered...
a definitive resounding No!

It is rapidly failing dramatically in the US. The voting public is kept asleep and uneducated that they might be easily manipulated by the entrenched in power. We now have idiots voting for their own reflections in the booth. After what should be 200 years of refinement, as a political system, it fails as an experiment. Time to move on. Universal? Hahahahaha... Where would such ridiculous propaganda come from? Gov't? *__-


America was never supposed to have a democracy.

>_<

And we still, technically, do not.
We have an authoritarian republic (And or Oligarchy...) - where those in power have complete control over everything.

We never had a democracy.
And no - a democracy is NEVER going to be a legitimate goal for those seeking liberty and/or progress.

However there is a difference between and authoritarian government and a constitutional government...
That has nothing to do with being democratic.


Democracy is a lie promoted by those in power to get you to believe that the majority rules.
This is not the case. It never has been - legally in FACT.

It has become common practice however - but it is not the majority that rules - but a handful of people - around 500 - (435+100+7+2) - that live in D.C. and make rules for everyone else - for the benefit of that handful of people.

Oligarchy.

That you believe we HAVE a democracy despite your schooling (how many times did you say the pledge of allegiance? You know you don't live in a democracy!) is proof that their scam has worked.

You believe yourself to be a free citizen (an oxymoron) with a vote and a voice (a blasphemous lie.)

You have a vote - to choose who speaks for you.
You do not have your own voice - short of protesting (but that's become illegal, so shut up before you get arrested...).


A universal goal/ideal?
No.

A democracy is mob rule.
Mob lynchings take place in a mob rule.

That isn't my kind of ideal.
And it wasn't the ideal or intention of the Founding Fathers to give that to us.
And they didn't.
 
Kalash said:
America was never supposed to have a democracy.

>_<

And we still, technically, do not.
And they didn't.
I'm sorry if I used a word that caused anal restriction.
What I intended was that 'a system where people vote for leaders, has been seen to fail and implode if allowed to naturally evolve along the lines of certain political systems of the day. One such system is the politikal system in the USA.'
Feel better?
 
namelesss said:
I'm sorry if I used a word that caused anal restriction.
What I intended was that 'a system where people vote for leaders, has been seen to fail and implode if allowed to naturally evolve along the lines of certain political systems of the day. One such system is the politikal system in the USA.'
Feel better?


I feel better.
Thanks =D

I guess - people say, "America has a democracy" - and we need to "spread it throughout the world."

This was the justification for rebuilding Iraq.
The justification for the Korean War (preserve/expand the south's democracy THROUGH FORCE to the communist north. Or maybe that was Vietnam. Whatever... same point...)

Preemptive war...
Holding a gun to the people's head and saying, "Be free or DIE fighting for your chosen bonds of slavery!"

And they die. Until we kill enough of them that we can implement our "democracy" which is an utter falsehood... And rule over them.
And now they're FREE...
Because they're doing what WE WANT them to do.


Rinse, repeat, justify the next war.
And this policy has become commonplace here at "home" as well...
With the drug laws, prohibition of anything (prostitution, gambling, etc...)
But they tell us we live in a free country, so we live in the greatest country... and that's that.

Ignorance is destroying this nation >_<

Electing leaders is one thing.
America isn't supposed to have leaders.

We're supposed to have servants... Governing by PRIVILEGE (derived from our rights - NOT superior to them).

Those that wish for leaders/rulers have no place in a free society.
At least - not in policy making for the free society.
They're more than welcome to create a group with a leader and do what he says...
But if they want anyone else to do what he says, they've got another thing coming.


This is what the U.S. has devolved into - a bunch of people wanting to be in the "majority" so that they can benefit from the criminal infringement upon the rights of their neighbor's by the government's actions at their request.


Except that the majority has lost control and the minority controlling everything cares nothing for the majority.

And things have FINALLY gotten bad enough that the majority is beginning to take notice.



It wasn't you saying it that set me off - it was that this is a point I've been trying to get across for a while now... (Not just here...)
And I thought I'd explained it in this thread already - and was disappointed that I didn't get through to everyone.
I faulted myself for not explaining clearly enough... and sought to remedy that problem... not rant.



I tend to over explain things - but at least I know that most of the people reading what I type will understand what I mean - not some wild interpretation that has nothing to do with my intent.
Been there before... quit being vague.
=P
If it's a little wordy, sorry.
 
Kalash said:
I feel better.
Thanks =... quit being vague.
You think that 'this;
Originally Posted by namelesss
I'm sorry if I used a word that caused anal restriction.
What I intended was that 'a system where people vote for leaders, has been seen to fail and implode if allowed to naturally evolve along the lines of certain political systems of the day. One such system is the politikal system in the USA.'

is too vague? Hardly.

If it's a little wordy, sorry.
Not to worry, I just skimmed it. I don't read political rants, it too much like religious testimony, full to bursting with the 'belief virus'.
Peace..
 
namelesss said:
You think that 'this;
Originally Posted by namelesss
I'm sorry if I used a word that caused anal restriction.
What I intended was that 'a system where people vote for leaders, has been seen to fail and implode if allowed to naturally evolve along the lines of certain political systems of the day. One such system is the politikal system in the USA.'

is too vague? Hardly.


Not to worry, I just skimmed it. I don't read political rants, it too much like religious testimony, full to bursting with the 'belief virus'.
Peace..


Not you being vague - me.
As in, "Been there before, learned my lesson, and I quit being vague..."

the biggest problem with politics is that people don't use the same definitions for the same words.

People generally agree on politics when they speak the same language...
But often times, the same language is foreign because of the different definitions.

I was just trying to clarify my definitions - so that everything I said was taken as I meant it.

Not as a rant.
 
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