US is not a democracy at all. If it was, changing presidents and parties would have produced real changes in Domestic and Foreign policy. Instead, US is a train heading for the cliff without stopping for the last 30 years. Same people are in charge, and same people will be in charge the day US collapses into depression anarchy and civil war.
Hello Ucan'tEatBonds: And yes the US is not a democracy. It is a Constitutional Republic, which is better than a democracy. This form of government provides the means for the governed to prevent the disaster you are referring to but does not guarantee it. If the US was a democracy, more than likely the US would be worse off than it is now, not better as you suggest. And yes ExperiencedJoe, ultimately the people in the US voting for their government deserve their fate. Unfortunately the US is becoming more and more like a police state and less and less like a Constitutional Republic as Obama like those presidents before him ignores the Constitution and acts more and more like a lawless dictator and gets away with it.
Wrong wrong wrong The US is a plutocracy ! In case you don't know what that is I will tell you. A plutocracy is a system run on who spends the most money, mainly on bribes. Coming in at no. 2 should shake things up a bit plus race riots etc. If moronic war mongers like Bush are elected and if JFK's legacy of interfering in other country's affairs isn't stopped, the USA could self implode. Hopeless foreign policies since WW2. Learn't nothing from Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and now Syria etc. Killed millions, spent trillions and achieved next to nothing - if that isn't bleeding hopeless I don't know what is. Morons above take note. OK the terrorists started the recent wars with 911 etc. but the US fell right into the trap of over reacting and over spending just as they hoped. Should do 1.Give the non whites equality, which should have happened after the Civil War. 2.For every hostage murdered then execute 2 of their's now held captive. 3. Up date and up grade the political system. 4. Share the wealth around more fairly. etc. etc.
Actually plenty was achieved. Your nation's wealth was transferred to private hands. That's a great achievement for those receiving this wealth. A nation that feeds upon itself is not going to be able to compete with a nation that doesn't such as China.
Hilly baby could learn a thing or two by studying our Mrs Thatcher. Ever ready to wade into the brawl with handbag swinging. Had some sensible ideas too occasionally.
Hello Humpy: Definition of plutocracy - government by the wealthy A plutocracy and a Constitutional Republic are not mutually exclusive. When the president simply ignores the constitution and congress and the Supreme Court lets him get away away with it because of undue influence by the wealthy over the president and the people elected to congress then you can say we have a plutocracy. But this type of influence over government through bribes for example, does not change the form of government it corrupts it. The form of government in the US is still a Constitutional Republic and because of this it provides the people the peaceful means for them to remove the lawless president and to elect representatives who obey the law and actively enforce it. So what form of government exactly are you suggesting the US should move to when you say in # 3 “up date and up grade the political system.” What form of government exactly are you suggesting will do what you say in #4 If you really believe the US is a plutocracy. # 4 “Share the wealth around more fairly.” # 4 sounds like a call for communism where every body is equal except those that are members of the communist party who are telling every one else what to do. Or maybe in #4 you are suggesting socialism where every body is equal except those that get to decide just how equal every body else is going to be. You're #2 makes you sound like a Nazi or a radical Muslim. The Sunni and Shiite Muslims have been killing each other for centuries because of this kind of eye for an eye philosophy. Perhaps you should revise your #2.”For every hostage murdered then execute 2 of their's now held captive.” Personally I like what Mahatma Gandhi said. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
Sound as if the brown people shouldn't resist. The funny thing is those people are in their own homes. Same was true of Gandhi, he had to tell people not to poke him in the eye in his own home. Maybe people need to learn to be not so aggressive.
The European model of democracy holds the top hog much more accountable for his actions. The whole House has to approve - none of the presidential decree stuff which can only lead to dictatorship just as it did in ancient Rome, with disastrous results. With Gandhi's principle just the decent side gets blinded - fat lot of good that would be. Stick up for one's rights. To get a Bill passed in the US individual members get their local Bills tacked onto the main issue to buy their vote. Each issue should be separate. #2 is an unfortunate result forced by fanatical terrorism. They hope to die for their cause. Time for them is not part of the equation. Most of the prisoners in Afghanistan and Iraq are now free and still pursuing their cause. Their sport is fighting for religious causes and has been for centuries. They continue until they win or are dead however long it takes. The crusades of the 13th century are still well remembered if it aids their cause. Unlike European wars where both sides take a breather and have treaties for a while. Kill or be killed I regret to say !! No room for turning the other cheek unless you think they might die laughing so much. Let's face it the Middle East problems just won't go away. You got implacable enemies for ever ! Good luck. You guys are going to have to up your game considerably or give up.