Governed versus ruled.

[Gregorian]

If we live in a democracy, then we have a say in what happens. It is not acceptable that our government decides what is best for us, behind our backs.

I would personally rather take the risk of being blown up by a terrorist than live my life knowing someone is watching my communications. However, under certain circumstances, where I feel it is justified, I may allow someone to listen in to my private life. That is my decision, not theirs.

It's a fine line between these two scenarios. One is democratic, and the other is not.

[L0oniX]

1. They lied to us about WMD's and they want us to trust them? LOL

[clarice]

2. A lone example of how profiling might be a good idea. nt

[Laelth]

3. Hear, hear! k&r n/t

-Laelth

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. Two things …

First, the United States has never been a “democracy”, where the people have a direct say in governance. Rather, our form of government is a Democratic Republic, wherein we, the American people, elect representatives to carry out our will. This form of government, at times, has the representative substitute his/her judgment for that of “the people.” And when that happens (one too many times), our system of government has a mechanism for recourse … it is called “elections.”

Second, I find all the “liberty” trumps “life” bravado to be quite empty … especially when, no one this century has ever been called on to act on that noble and romantic refrain.

[Gregorian]

5. I knew I was being quite broad and general when I posted.

I like being somewhat poetic. As a republic, I know we aren't involved in the process personally. And when I mentioned that we have a say in the process, I mean we have a Constitution. And by doing an end run around it, as in how Bush got Congress to give him a blank check for wars, they are effectively forcing us to do what we did not agree to do.


On the second, I tend to be an outsider. I was not going to Vietnam under any condition. And I'm part of a family that has a long record of conscientious objectors as far back as World War 1. I'm proud of that, even though most people would frown on it.

I appreciate your input. I'm often loose with how I express myself. My intentions are on target though.

[H2O Man]

7. Actually, we are a democracy.

This is a common error of the uninformed: to say we are a republic, or a democratic republic. That was true up until Jefferson took the Office of the President; since Jefferson, we have been a democracy.

We vote for Senators and Representatives in the House; for our governors, state legislators, county-city-town officials. The single office where direct vote is not the #1 decider is, of course, that of the presidency. Yet this is the minority of offices.

We are, by ever definition, a democracy. Those who dispute that are ignorant of our history, and of current events.

[Gregorian]

8. And I've read the posts regarding this recently. I forget these things.

I'm not sure it makes any difference with respect to what I originally posted. For example, the FCC has done great damage to the country by ushering in conglomeration of large corporations. And maybe we do have a hand in what happens. Of course we do. But not unless we take it. We could have stopped Bush from invading Iraq. But it would have had to be massive scale protestation.

I'm not well informed of the details of civics. That's why I always appreciate what you and others have to offer on this forum. Together our strengths are combined.

[H2O Man]

9. Team work works!

My normal brother sometimes laughs and says that "normal people" don't lug around a pile of 500 page history books. I have never claimed to be normal -- whatever that may or may not be! But there are some advantages accrued from reading all those books. (Of course, my OPs are usually long & boring .....Ha!)

[Fire Walk With Me]

6. "Democracy" means "the will and voice of the people". Sometimes there are representatives

of the people's voice and will, sometimes it's participatory horizontal consensus. In neither case are the people governed by an authority, or even worse, ruled. Government in a Democracy is purely representative, neither governing nor ruling, but only doing the will of its people.

[George Gently]

10. While I'd be willing for you to take that risk, I am, myself, unwilling.