tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post2198817754120545345..comments2024-03-17T03:42:21.277-05:00Comments on LEARNING CURVE ON THE ECLIPTIC: VOTING DILEMMA 2012Twilighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-90685076095356927942012-09-05T08:02:25.409-05:002012-09-05T08:02:25.409-05:00Rossa ~~
I think democracy HAS been taken (at leas...Rossa ~~<br />I think democracy HAS been taken (at least in the US) Rossa - taken very, very gradually over a long period. Allowed to be taken - yes, agreed. Caught and nipped in the bud decades ago things could have changed for the better, but people were lulled and almost hypnotised by the thought of "The American Dream" . Whether it all happened deliberately, or almost accidentally, is hard to say. <br /><br />I think you have a far better chance of changing things in the UK than we have here. Partly due to the relative size of the country, partly to the (as I remember it) sturdily independent and determined attitude of Brits, when they are sufficiently aroused and annoyed. Different breed.<br /><br />Here, only a national emergency of huge proportions would bring about change of any size, even then it might be the wrong kind of change. Or revolution, of course and it's not time for that yet, things would need to be much worse for more people. <br /><br />The size of this country and the sharp divide in attitudes is a major stumbling block. Getting corporate money out of elections and politics in general would be a big step here towards making things more reasonable - but it's not going to happen. Those who would need to put such a change into law are the same ones who would benefit most from NOT doing so. Kind of Catch 22? <br />:-(Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-13202706424016166602012-09-05T03:43:53.679-05:002012-09-05T03:43:53.679-05:00PS. Both David Cameron and George Osborne, our PM ...PS. Both David Cameron and George Osborne, our PM and Chancellor, were booed by the people at the Paralympic Games when it was announced that they were presenting medals. Osborne faced it in the main arena holding 80,000 people, Cameron was in the Aquacentre for the swimming.<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0nMtSJDrGc&feature=player_embeddedRossahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06121831076599069841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-14317430339870318942012-09-05T03:36:59.449-05:002012-09-05T03:36:59.449-05:00"...given back proper democracy."
Maybe..."...given back proper democracy."<br /><br />Maybe that's the mindset that undermines us all. They will not give anything back as it hasn't been taken. The people have given up our democracies (UK and US) by doing nothing to stop Them, for a quiet and easy life, which has turned out to be anything but. So we have to take it back one way or another. Question is which way?<br /><br />Democracy means "rule of the people". Problem is it has been taken by Them to mean to "rule (over) the people" not that the people will rule Them. Which is why our respective governments don't consider themselves answerable or responsible to the people they were meant to serve. Therefore we don't live in a democractic system anymore. I'm sure we all have our own opinions about what it is we have now.<br /><br />The debate then is where we go from here and how? However, debate is futile if the mindset stays the same and somehow we expect Them to 'give' up. Rossahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06121831076599069841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-8463364966628667892012-09-01T14:45:47.754-05:002012-09-01T14:45:47.754-05:00James Higham ~~ In theory it may be good, or it m...James Higham ~~ In theory it may be good, or it may have been good when it was dreamed up more than 200 years ago. In practice, in 2012, in my opinion it stinks, James. <br /><br />Yes, they know exactly what would happen if the people were to be given back proper democracy.Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-81624413093539413762012-09-01T14:42:05.904-05:002012-09-01T14:42:05.904-05:00Sonny ~~ Hi! Thanks for your input - I enjoyed r...Sonny ~~ Hi! Thanks for your input - I enjoyed reading it. <br />What you say resonates with me, though I have no direct experience beyond G.W.Bush's 2nd term. <br /><br />I do see certain generations of USA-ans as being "spoiled rotten" as you put it. :-) <br /><br />I was surprised at the lower cost of living here (as against in the UK) when I first arrived - eg. eating out, property prices (in non-premium locations anyway).<br /><br />I've come to realise that there's a reason and a downside: catering staff are paid slave wages and have to depend on tips; taxes are not high enough to establish a proper publicly run health service - even Medicare for senior citizens isn't "free" it has to be supplemented by private insurance in order to be fully covered - that wouldn't be so if workers' contributions were higher to begin with.<br /><br />Taxes need to be higher on everybody, and there should be no loopholes for the wealthy - sorry but that's the truth. It'd still take time for effects to filter through, and discomfort and sacrifice would be involved.<br />Of course, not many would accept that unless forced by circumstance.<br /><br />The luxury people in the USA came to expect came at a price which is now becoming clear. <br /><br />Yes, the people have taught the powers that be how much they will take, and to what what they'll best respond. Now the reins have been taken by corporations, bankers and vested interests. It has been allowed to happen, the people allowed it. I can see that. The media are a lot to blame.... they could have steered things differently, but they also have been bought.<br /><br />I don't know the answer, or if there is one outside of revolution, which isn't likely at least in the near future. We can act in small ways, and hope it registers.... somewhere. <br /><br /><br />Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-44494680345342576502012-09-01T13:28:52.656-05:002012-09-01T13:28:52.656-05:00All hope of Libertarian Gary Johnson being placed ...All hope of Libertarian Gary Johnson being placed on the ballot was dashed by underhand dealings of local authorities, to ensure that Gov. Johnson would not be included under either Libertarian or Americans Elect headings.<br /><br />They know - they're perfectly well aware how people would go, given a free vote. You guys have the best system in the world ... except for the party politicsJames Highamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14525082702330365464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-59904119697630083472012-09-01T11:27:47.404-05:002012-09-01T11:27:47.404-05:00I'd like to preface my comment by saying I am ...I'd like to preface my comment by saying I am a reasonably positive person and I truly believe in 1 persons ability to change their personal universe and manifest their world. so with that said...<br /><br /> Many of us sit and shake our heads in amazement and our fists in frustration, while not acknowledging<br /> or accepting that WE -all of us- thru all time-since the birth of this country, have TAUGHT these folks how to act, who they must be-and what they must do , in order to be elected. <br /> We say we dislike the lies and yet, if Truth is spoken, they have no chance to get on the ballot,much less get any votes.<br /> We have the 2 Evils, because lies, manipulation, misrepresentation and personal agendas are what has won in the past. We've taught them by our actions, how to treat us and what we really want,so saying we want truth is our greatest Lie and they know it. <br /> Jimmy Carter was an Honest, straight talking person who told us we MUST cease our overconsumption of natural resourses ,we need to conserve and yes maybe even SUFFER a tiny bit- like be willing to wear a sweater in the house. We must be willing to pay for american made products in order to keep our factories//industries thriving and folks employed.. None of these things did we wish to do. We are SPOILED ROTTEN on every level and our need for Immediate and Total satisfaction has cost us more dearly than we will ever know. <br /> So Out with honest Jimmy and In with the Greatest Liar ever elected. A decent actor-nice looking fellow- always a smile and Positive Promises, he knew were untrue and we were THRILLED.<br /> To this day people WILL NOT accept the truth of that Prestindency. In fact, their memory tells them he was Mr. Wonderful.. The actor, the liar, the great manipulator- Ronald Reagan..<br /> He told us what we wanted to hear and the folks elected since him have watched where that will get them and they follow suit.<br /> If we want Honest People in office it is US who must teach them to be so.<br />thanks for allowing me to comment.<br />Sonny<br /> Sonny Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06926830309207639536noreply@blogger.com