How is America as a 'Democracy' able to survive?

[John]

When **** like this continues to happen (http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/6/161948/452)?

Here's a bit of an detailed version (http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/6/1717/68014).

Like, seriously...if this is the way the elections are being run in the US, then democracy is dead.

[Shadow The Reaper]

As much as I like us we are a disgusting poor excuse for a great country.

I'm at my witts end with politicians and politics.

[Silver_Derstin]

Like, seriously...if this is the way the elections are being run in the US, then democracy is dead.

With a two party system as well as horrible frauds like that, democracy is deader then ever. So everyone who "love democracy" in the US are actually necrophiles and should be arrested, along with people who would vote democrats.

[ZippyDSMlee]

John
I already started a political rant thread :P

its obvious where we are headed,regioned corporate states so corperations can rule the populace one region at a time.

At the rate corperations are undermining the goverment the desolveing of the states will start in 100 years,but then they are tricky might happen in 60 ><

private money will destroy us like greed and compalincy did every other nation in history.

[Thefremen]

This democracy is dead, Jim. (webb)

[ZippyDSMlee]

Thefremen
who needs roving gangs of thugs,civil wars or dictatorships we have....."Mafiations"....the Corporate Mafia of the 22nd century...

[Tollwutig]

Well for one we've never been a Democracy, we're a Democratic Republic modeled after Rome's system. Once we elect an Emperor for life it'll only last a few hundred more years.

[ZippyDSMlee]

Well for one we've never been a Democracy, we're a Democratic Republic modeled after Rome's system. Once we elect an Emperor for life it'll only last a few hundred more years.

Not to hedge words here (not like I am capable) but Democracy and Democratic Republic are only separated in a dictionary in the real word there is little diffrance in them they have been blurred by incapable men for to long......in the end we are a "Democracy" and unlike other smaller country's that are delaing with army take overs and civil strife we are being taken over and undermined by the worlds richest.

[Tollwutig]

Not to hedge words here (not like I am capable) but Democracy and Democratic Republic are only separated in a dictionary in the real word there is little diffrance in them they have been blurred by incapable men for to long......in the end we are a "Democracy" and unlike other smaller country's that are delaing with army take overs and civil strife we are being taken over and undermined by the worlds richest.

No we're not a Democracy as we do not directly elect our Executive Branch, we elect Electorates who then elect our Executives. Yes we have some Democracy, but there are no true Democratic Governments in the world, and haven't been since Athens (well they were democratic so long as you were male and wealthy).

[ZippyDSMlee]

No we're not a Democracy as we do not directly elect our Executive Branch, we elect Electorates who then elect our Executives. Yes we have some Democracy, but there are no true Democratic Governments in the world, and haven't been since Athens (well they were democratic so long as you were male and wealthy).

I am sorry you are using a antiqued definition,in the real world they don't hedge the difference in the 2 words.....

[KN]

America, explain this bull****tery to me:

Why is my news telling me the Republicans aren't that ****ed at all and somewhat likely to win? Are you determined to crush my faith in you as a country?

[Tollwutig]

I am sorry you are using a antiqued definition,in the real world they don't hedge the difference in the 2 words.....

No its just American propaganda since the 50's against Communism and promoting "democracy" we've lost the true meaning of Democracy, and now our politicians spout the 1 person 1 vote fraud. We have never been and never will be a true Democracy, and actually true democracies don't work except in small populations where everything can be voted on by everyone.

Yes America is Democratic, but it is not a Democracy.

[Theory?]

We don't live in a Democracy. Analytically we are closer to a Republic. We follow very few details of the symantec model of a Democracy. You know who, in my oppinion, come closest to having a Democracy? Switzerland.

[Hank the Tank]

*Insert various profanities here

[ZippyDSMlee]

We don't live in a Democracy. Analytically we are closer to a Republic. We follow very few details of the symantec model of a Democracy. You know who, in my oppinion, come closest to having a Democracy? Switzerland.

I know that but the rest of the world sadly dose not...its like city slang get with the times already! ><

[ZippyDSMlee]

America, explain this bull****tery to me:

Why is my news telling me the Republicans aren't that ****ed at all and somewhat likely to win? Are you determined to crush my faith in you as a country?

The republicans use fear and indecisiveness to trump logic and win the interweb!

Sadly the dems think butt secks alone will win them the intrewebs....

[John]

We don't live in a Democracy. Analytically we are closer to a Republic. We follow very few details of the symantec model of a Democracy. You know who, in my oppinion, come closest to having a Democracy? Switzerland.

Elaborate further please! You got me interested.

The republicans use fear and indecisiveness to trump logic and win the interweb!

Sadly the dems think butt secks alone will win them the intrewebs....


Um...what?

[ZippyDSMlee]

John
the republicans use fear to get done what they wish to get done the dems o not unless you count the fear of the corperation that worship at the house of the black boot.

Dems genrealy use the carrot,the reps like their stick....

---------------
I hate firefoxs instant add of words it should ask before confirming a add...added 4 or 6 misspelled words to it...

[Tollwutig]

Elaborate further please! You got me interested.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic

Since technically our Representatives have a greater voice than the common people we do not in fact have a Democracy, no matter what your HS teachers tell you, if they argue tell them they need to go back and take some Political Science courses :D .

Most countries have what is known as a Representative Democracy, where the elected Representatives have an equal voice, and are elected in a common election. Usually the parties who form a Caucus and a majority in the legislative elected an Executive. It is also common for the people to elect a different Executive to sign bills into Law. This is why you hear of some countries with both a President and a Prime Minister.
Most European Democracies are based on this model.

Three things separate out the United States. First we elect our Representatives in a local district instead of a common election. Thus usually an election can only successfully carry two or three candidates and still obtain a majority. Second our Senators wield more power especially in lower populated States than our House Representatives. This means our elected Representatives do not have equal voice.
Lastly, our Executive Branch only elects the President and Vice President who run on the same ticket. All other positions in the Executive are appointed without need to negotiate. Where as in countries like Germany where the Prime Minister must often negotiate to gain a majority, and generally the negotiations lead to Ministers being from a different party than the Prime Minister.

Thus the United States falls closer to being a Democratic Republic than either a Representative Democracy, or a pure Democracy.

[Theory?]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic

Since technically our Representatives have a greater voice than the common people we do not in fact have a Democracy, no matter what your HS teachers tell you, if they argue tell them they need to go back and take some Political Science courses :D .

Most countries have what is known as a Representative Democracy, where the elected Representatives have an equal voice, and are elected in a common election. Usually the parties who form a Caucus and a majority in the legislative elected an Executive. It is also common for the people to elect a different Executive to sign bills into Law. This is why you hear of some countries with both a President and a Prime Minister.
Most European Democracies are based on this model.

Three things separate out the United States. First we elect our Representatives in a local district instead of a common election. Thus usually an election can only successfully carry two or three candidates and still obtain a majority. Second our Senators wield more power especially in lower populated States than our House Representatives. This means our elected Representatives do not have equal voice.
Lastly, our Executive Branch only elects the President and Vice President who run on the same ticket. All other positions in the Executive are appointed without need to negotiate. Where as in countries like Germany where the Prime Minister must often negotiate to gain a majority, and generally the negotiations lead to Ministers being from a different party than the Prime Minister.

Thus the United States falls closer to being a Democratic Republic than either a Representative Democracy, or a pure Democracy.

I took a Political Theory class my first semester and it was amazing. My teacher was a former press officer for the BBC and an Oxford Poli. Sci. professor. He was such a genius and the class was really engaging and interesting.

[Thefremen]

I'm legally required to post the following:

Grand Moff Santorum: The Senate will no longer be of any concern to us. I have just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.

General Tagge: But that's impossible. How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?

Grand Moff Santorum: The regional governors now have direct control over their territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line.

[John]

You know, the things these parties do to get into power is remarkable...

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/11/7/154351/697

This time, it isn't Fox News mislabelling the candidates...It's their own damn party...