Democracy or Empire?

[kamih 0]

For those of you who are sick of RupertNews:
http://indymedia.us/en/index.shtml

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What if on the day after the presidential election people from all walks of life across America mobilized in their communities to go beyond voting and demonstrate our visions for a truy democratic society? Because the crisis of our democracy did not start with Bush and won't end with Kerry, the Beyond Voting campaign is calling for our election year debate to expand beyond Democrats versus Republicas to the larger issue of whether the U.S. will be a Democracy or an Empire. No matter who wins, we will be uniting to open up a new political space to define democracy as grassroots and participatory.

[Guest]

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For those of you who are sick of RupertNews:
http://indymedia.us/en/index.shtml

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What if on the day after the presidential election people from all walks of life across America mobilized in their communities to go beyond voting and demonstrate our visions for a truy democratic society? Because the crisis of our democracy did not start with Bush and won't end with Kerry, the Beyond Voting campaign is calling for our election year debate to expand beyond Democrats versus Republicas to the larger issue of whether the U.S. will be a Democracy or an Empire. No matter who wins, we will be uniting to open up a new political space to define democracy as grassroots and participatory.

Hah.

Just another way of saying "Vox Populi".

This is a Republic, not a democracy.

mh

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[lawrocket 3]

Interesting issue. Especially the part of "Democracy v. Empire."

Why is this so interesting? Mainly because the US is not a democracy, and was never intended to be. The United States is a Republic, where the decision making is left to 535 elected Congresspersons plus a President.

So, is this article arguing that the past 217 years of Republican government should be trashed in favor of Democracy or Empire? To this observer, such a suggestion is frightening.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Guest]

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Interesting issue. Especially the part of "Democracy v. Empire."

Why is this so interesting? Mainly because the US is not a democracy, and was never intended to be. The United States is a Republic, where the decision making is left to 535 elected Congresspersons plus a President.

So, is this article arguing that the past 217 years of Republican government should be trashed in favor of Democracy or Empire? To this observer, such a suggestion is frightening.

To this observer, such a suggestion is quaint and silly.

mh

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[kamih 0]

I think the (american) author of that text knows the difference between democracy and republic. The word was used for his title to make a point. I'm sorry if you're missing it.

[lawrocket 3]

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I think the (american) author of that text knows the difference between democracy and republic. The word was used for his title to make a point. I'm sorry if you're missing it.

I, for one, put a value on words. Sometimes people disagree with me, for when I hear someone say, "people from all walks of life across America mobilized in their communities to go beyond voting and demonstrate our visions for a truy democratic society" I tend to think that the person has a vision wherein democracy means more than voting for a president or representative. When I read, "visions for a truly democratic society" it seems to me that the person means a "truly democratic society."

"[W]e will be uniting to open up a new political space to define democracy as grassroots and participatory" seems to me to mean that this stupid system wherein representatives choose this country's course should be changed into one where everyone votes for everything.

I'm sorry for thinking someone actually meant what he wrote. If he did not mean what he wrote, then the whole article is bullshit and should not be given any more credence than other works of fiction...

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[Guest]

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I think the (american) author of that text knows the difference between democracy and republic. The word was used for his title to make a point. I'm sorry if you're missing it.

I didn't miss it. Indymedia advocates communism.

It's nothing but the shrill whining of the radical left, and can be safely ignored.


mh

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[kamih 0]

Yes, if your definition of communism is social and economic justice.
You can safely ignore it all you want. I just hope you're not on the other side of the fence one day.

[lawrocket 3]

Social and economic justice can best be accomplished by:

1) Getting an education
2) Staying free of addictive substances
3) Getting a job
4) Opening your own business to show those evil corporations how things should be done
5) Realizing that you were wrong, and understanding that you don't know what injustice is until you cannot pay your overhead due to compliance costs and taxes....

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[wmw999 2,589]

And those tools are much farther out of the reach of some people than others. Really.

A child who's raised by an incompetent parent, and rejected by the other, has a much harder time acquiring the skills to be able to navigate life successfully. There's just so much more to learn. It's specious to say that everyone has the same opportunity. Maybe they do, but they definitely don't have the same capacity to take advantage of it.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[kamih 0]

Yay, and it's as easy as 1 2 3 !

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[lawrocket 3]

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Yay, and it's as easy as 1 2 3 !

No, it's actually pretty difficult. What's easy is to spend your life gathering with like-minded individuals to bitch about how unfair life is and the world is. What's easy is to say, "Damn public school failed me out. I could have gone to college if I went to a private school."

What's easy is to bitch about social injustice.

Me? I don't have time to bitch about injustice. I've got a business to run, a wife to take care of, and a baby to feed. Dang. Why should I bitch? Gee, had I knocked that chick up when I was 19, then I could have something to complain about, right? As it is, I chose to wait till I was 30 for any of that nonsense.

No, it wasn't easy. It's fucking tough - which is the way it should be.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[kamih 0]

I hear you man, of course it's not easy. Sorry you didnt catch my sarcasm.
Like you, I was lucky enough to get a good education and a good job, but I hope you realize it's nearly impossible for alot of people on this planet.
The point of the thread was just to present an independant media site to people who only know of mainstream news sources.
That's a pretty neutral post for you to explode on. I don't understand why, but I'm sorry it made you so upset.

[lawrocket 3]

No sweat. Some things are kinda dear to me, and I guess the workplace stress is getting to me.

For many on this planet, it is damned near impossible to get that stuff. In America, all the opportunities are there, just waiting to be wasted.

for you. Sorry if I sounded pissed.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[GravityGirl 0]

YOU DIDN'T HAVE SEX UNTIL YOU WERE 30!?!?

I thought I was a late bloomer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Peace and Blue Skies!
Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear!