Democracy

Milu · 04-21-2003, 02:05 AM

Democracy:

Two wolves and a sheep debating the dinner menu.

Two sheep and a wolf debating the dinner menu.

A flock of sheep voting unanimously on compulsory vegetarianism for all citizens including wolves.

Am I being cynical again?

turbo6bar · 04-21-2003, 08:15 AM

Ah, to heck with democracy. Go Socialist/Communist and be done with it.

tabs · 04-21-2003, 08:58 AM

Go ahead so long as I get to be head of the secret police

tabs · 04-21-2003, 08:59 AM

Go ahead so long as I get to be head of the secret police....

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by tabs
Go ahead so long as I get to be head of the secret police....

Now that's a reassuring thought.......

hoff944 · 04-21-2003, 09:54 AM

Socialism/Communism isn't so bad. Higher taxes, less work, it takes 3 months to get a medical test run, more welfare........wait a minute....................

Milu · 04-21-2003, 10:50 AM

Socialism: Would we be allowed to share Seinfeld's Porsches?

Why not a constitutional monarchy?

Me in charge.

Isabo commanding the firing squad,

and before he asks, Tabs can apply for head of the secret police.

turbo6bar · 04-21-2003, 12:51 PM

Are there any 'true' democracies in existence today?

Jurgen

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Why did the birthrate spike in Canada? The waiting list for an abortion got to be 9 months long...

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

"Ah, to heck with democracy. Go Socialist/Communist and be done with it."

Communism would be a wonderful system... so long as you don't mean Russian "communism" (aristocratic dictatorship disguised as democratic federalism in order to implement an impossible workers' paradise)

Great idea, but that's all it is: an idea. Not very possible if you figure in human greed, self-absorption, and solipsism.

turbo6bar · 04-21-2003, 04:19 PM

Socialism is embraced in Europe and by some here in the United States. To me, any form of socialism is a piss poor solution to citizens who refuse to take responsibility.

In my opinion, nothing beats the current form of democracy/republic. There is nothing better or even remotely close.

Just my opinion,
jurgen

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

"Socialism is embraced in Europe and by some here in the United States. To me, any form of socialism is a piss poor solution to citizens who refuse to take responsibility."

Responsibility for what? Where is socialism embraced in Europe? Do you mean vaguely socialistic practices or socialism as in Russian Socialism?

turbo6bar · 04-21-2003, 06:58 PM

Responsibility for your own lives and destiny. Instead, socialism promotes the government's good will towards people. Can the government truly address YOUR interests better than you? A socialist argues capitalism takes power from the common man, yet the small businesses, run by regular citizens forms a very large portion of the American economy. That doesn't sound bad to me.

In reference to socialism in Europe, I view huge pension programs, healthcare and education programs as forms of socialism. Would I necessarily disagree 100% with their actions? Not really, but I would rather see the people take the power, instead of the government. I suppose my view of the government is similiar to that of the EPA: having the best intentions is overwhelmed by beauracracy and gross mismanagement. Do I hate them? No, but they sure as heck could do a better job.

This country has too much opportunity for one NOT to do well in all aspects of life. Why anyone would resort to redistribution of wealth is beyond me...

just my opinion, once again,
jurgen

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Well, if you want to wax intellectual about the subject, true socialism/communism doesn't rely on the government's will toward people because the people are self-governing. If one discusses socialism, one must quantify what one means by socialism as either what existed in Russia during the 80-ish year span lasting from November 1917 till 1989 (ranging from benign aristocracy to ruthless, oppressive dictatorship - there is nothing self-governing about this), the ideal of socialism as envisioned by Lenin as a preliminary government meant to systematically prepare a country for communism, socialism as a synonym for communism as Marxist envisioned a society where the workers control the means of production, or socialism as the more Americanized concept of anarchy (I hate that word because of the negative connotations that come to mind) in which the people have no structured government and develop their own communities based around agriculture and industry as that community sees fit (transcendentialism also fits into this last category, but only periforial).

It seems to me that you are using the term 'socialism' to define any vague notion of the government offering free services to its populace; certainly you don't feel this way about the free education etceteras etceteras that you receive in America?

turbo6bar · 04-21-2003, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJFusco
It seems to me that you are using the term 'socialism' to define any vague notion of the government offering free services to its populace; certainly you don't feel this way about the free education etceteras etceteras that you receive in America?

Sorry, you have confused me for an intellectual. I will have to pass.

What free education did I receive in America? You don't know me. You assume you know me.

Socialism is like Santa Claus and liberals: you hear the stories and you want to believe, but they do not really exist.

Regards,
jurgen

DonDavis · DonDavis's Garage

Is it just me or does anyone else think that when someone spells out etc, as in the above post, it comes off as being a "show-off" or "slightly looking down one's nose"?

And no, I don't know you (CJFusco), but I have have read A LOT ( look, I made it 2 words) of your posts.

I just calls 'em as I sees 'em.

hoff944 · 04-21-2003, 11:39 PM

The public education is not free. It comes from taxes. As far as I am concerned the whole department of education can be scrapped. Privatize the schools. Right now I would not send my kid to a public school. Especially for the childs early education.
Communism will never work because of mankinds nature. Its a pipe dream from a fantasy world. Marx understood that you need to indoctrinate the kids while they are young which is what the leftist education system seems to be doing now.

LeRoux Strydom · 04-22-2003, 12:47 AM

for an African perspective of democracy (if it matters at all), see this article about the absolute monarchy ruling Swaziland, a tiny country the size of Lake Michigan with maybe 2 million "citizens", most of whom work illegally in South Africa:

King says democracy 'not right' for Swaziland

I guess if you keep your head in the sand all the time, the worms will start to eat your brains. Only problem is, the world passes you by and your country's problems get ignored by the world. This is especially true for Africa now.

Regards

LeRoux

tabs · 04-22-2003, 01:28 AM

Apply He!! I'm just going to take the job...... Director of the Bureau of Information....... that has a nice ring to it.......anybody out there disagree????.......if you do let me know and I'll have a car sent around.......

turbo6bar · 04-22-2003, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DonDavis
Is it just me or does anyone else think that when someone spells out etc, as in the above post, it comes off as being a "show-off" or "slightly looking down one's nose"?

And no, I don't know you, but I have have read A LOT ( look, I made it 2 words) of your posts.

You're entitled to your opinion, and I hope you would respect mine.

I still would like to hear about my 'free' education. Is my free education like the free roads I drive upon daily?

There is nothing I write here I would not be ashamed to say directly to your face, so I'm not hiding behind a computer screen. I love the concept of Socialism, but I changed face when I realized it thrives upon a utopian society, and of course my beliefs cause me to be labeled with stereotypes. Perhaps I am guilty of extending stereotypes, as well.

regards,
Jurgen