Is democracy broken?
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Quick, get under that door frame fast! I haven't voted in a long time. I get into a lot of interesting discussions on this issue, but I simply refuse to vote for "the lesser of two evils". When you have less than 50% turn-out in US elections I, probably like others, don't feel a sense of "ownership" or "pride" in our government anymore. This contributes to my lack of interest in any election process. I feel that I have no control over what happens. Here's an example, using recent events. The Republicans added a rider to the homeland security bill (I won't even touch that) that prevents people from being able to sue for injury/death related to vaccinations (and I won't even get into my issues with vaccinations!) Then, Bush mandates that military and health care workers must take the smallpox vaccine, in which 1 out of 3 people will get sick, nobody has figured out how those sick people will be compensated (and do they take vacation time or sick leave time), and I don't know the statistic on 1 out of x people will die, but the reason their not giving it to the general public is because there is a risk of death. Furthermore, anyone with a compromised immune system (this includes people with simple disorders like skin exema [sp?]), will need to be screened out because the vaccine WILL probably kill YOU. Now, another little known fact is that there is a government agency so specifically help parents whose children have been injured by vaccinations. The most common injury is some form of brain damage (including autism) resulting from the ensuing fever. Does any of this make sense? Did I have any choice in this process? NO! OK, enough of that. Now on to my other issue. When this country was founded, you needed to be a land owner and literate to vote. It demonstrated that you have the ability to succeed in business, that you are a working, contributing member of the society, and that you (hopefully) have read different views and perhaps written your own on various election issues. Now, any crackhead lying in the gutters of New Haven CT can vote. I feel helpess because their are IDIOTS that are making choices FOR ME. And some of these IDIOTS post articles on CP, as has been recently demonstrated (there. I snuck that one in!) We need to return to non-politically correct, racist, and prejudiced ways, I say! People need to be responsible for themselves, and not expect the government to be responsible for THEM. I pay higher car insurance rates because there are idiots out
Marc Clifton wrote: There's just nothing I can DO about it Thats really the problem right there. We poor helpless citizens. :(( It isn't that we can't change, it just more work than anyone is willing but forth. BW "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life." - Confucius
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OldRob wrote: I would certainly support a "No contest" result in this case (maybe even at a 20% low limit) So it's just a question of degree. For me, 40% (somebody correct me if that figure is wrong) is worryingly low. One thing I forgot to respond to in your previous post: limiting terms for the president is a Good Thing but the same old games will be played by the political parties trying to get re-elected. This is probably shockingly naive of me but what would happen if we outlawed parties and everyone had to stand as an independent? It would be much more chaotic trying to push things through but seems to me to be more "democratic" and representative i.e. we, the people, convey to our representative our wishes who then votes on our behalf in the government.
he he he. I like it in the kitchen! - Marc Clifton (on taking the heat when being flamed) Awasu v0.4a[^]: A free RSS reader with support for Code Project.
Taka Muraoka wrote: So it's just a question of degree. For me, 40% (somebody correct me if that figure is wrong) is worryingly low. Yes, I agree that it is just a matter of degree, With 40% of the eligible voters casting ballots, choice is the favorite of just 20+%... and ^0% are casitn (effectively) "I don't care" votes. I guess the question is how to interpret the missing 60% of the electorate. What part of this represents a "None of the above" vote? Would we get more paticipation if "None of the Above" were a choice? Since 24% of the eligible population doesn't even bother to register to vote, I would guess that possibly as much as 36% of the electorate actually voted "none of the above"... BTW, The only "unofficial" results I could find for 2002 US election was that 39.7% of Voting Age Population voted. This was an increase from 37.2% in the previous midterm (1998) election. The last "official" figures are for 2000 presidential election: 51.3% of Voting Age Population participated. 76% of Voting Age Population was registered to vote 67.5% of those registered to vote actually voted .... http://www.fec.gov/pages/2000turnout/reg&to00.htm[^] Between 1924 and 2000 the turnout for Presidential elections has varied between a low of 48.9% (1924) and a high of 62.8% (1960) http://www.fairvote.org/turnout/preturn.htm[^]
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democracy is fine. so is (pure) communism and even (benevolent) dictatorship - all in theory. in practice though, youu run into human nature. even in the most well-planned and well-meaning of political systems, human greed, ego, corruption and short-sightedness will take over and turn it into nepotism, cronyism, despotism and profiteering. the people who wrote the US constitution certainly wrote it with the best of intentions, but after 200 years of being massaged by greed, the system is a mess. it's a simple matter of Power corrupting. humans talk a good game. but when they actually try to implement something, Me-My-Mine takes over and turns it to shit. -c
Thomas Jefferson said that, in spite of their best efforts, he felt we would need another revolution in about 200 years in order put things back on course. A wise man, Mr. Jefferson.
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Taka Muraoka wrote: So who gets to decide who's allowde to vote? And is the moron not as much a citizen as the genius? Moronicity is in the eye of the beholder I won't even suggest that I know the perfect answer to this. I consider that everyone should have the ability to become a voter, and it shouldn't be restricted by birthright. Arbitrarily drawing the line on suffrage at a certain age is just as bad. Why should it be 16/18/21 and not 35. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
Colin Davies wrote: Why should it be 16/18/21 and not 35. because 18 yr olds can be sent to die to prop up the financial interests of 35 yr olds, 18 yr olds deserve the vote. -c
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Western countries often talk about spreading democracy around the world as if it were a given that this is the best thing since sliced bread, but I sometimes wonder if that is really the case. When you have less than 50% turn-out in US elections, the political process hijacked by special interests and our leaders seemingly incapable of planning beyond the next election, something is clearly not working. BTW, voting is *compulsory* in Australia - who knows what the turnout would be if that were not the case. So my question is this: is democracy broken? Is it just a problem of scale i.e. it might work with a few hundred villagers but has problems when applied to millions of Americans or Australians. Is it a problem with people feeling disenfranchised? I've heard ideas floated where goverments could use technology to hold frequent referendums on issues that people can then vote on but I'm not sure how well that would work. Or are people so turned off by what happens in the political world that they just don't want to get involved. Or do they just not care?
he he he. I like it in the kitchen! - Marc Clifton (on taking the heat when being flamed) Awasu v0.4a[^]: A free RSS reader with support for Code Project.
A very provocative analysis of the subject of voter turnout in "democracies" world-wide is available here:http://www.idea.int/voter_turnout/voter_turnout.html[^] 62-68% turnout seems to be the historical world-wide norm, and this is slightly skewed by inclusion of all the mandatory vote countries.
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Thomas Jefferson said that, in spite of their best efforts, he felt we would need another revolution in about 200 years in order put things back on course. A wise man, Mr. Jefferson.
OldRob wrote: A wise man, Mr. Jefferson he was right about the need for revolution, but wrong in assuming that it could happen. the American revolution was a breeze compared to what it would take for a revolution large enough to re-start the US govt these days. just as speculation, the US civil war killed somewhere around 600,000, took many years, and failed (if you assume the south's goal was to start a new government that fixed the problems with the federal govt.). in 1860, the popluation of the US was 31,000,000. so that 600K was 2% of the population. these days, that would work out to about 5.6 million deaths (making many wild assumptions - like that weapons haven't improved). IMO, there's no way a revolution could happen in the US these days without completely destroying the country. -c
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OldRob wrote: A wise man, Mr. Jefferson he was right about the need for revolution, but wrong in assuming that it could happen. the American revolution was a breeze compared to what it would take for a revolution large enough to re-start the US govt these days. just as speculation, the US civil war killed somewhere around 600,000, took many years, and failed (if you assume the south's goal was to start a new government that fixed the problems with the federal govt.). in 1860, the popluation of the US was 31,000,000. so that 600K was 2% of the population. these days, that would work out to about 5.6 million deaths (making many wild assumptions - like that weapons haven't improved). IMO, there's no way a revolution could happen in the US these days without completely destroying the country. -c
Chris Losinger wrote: IMO, there's no way a revolution could happen in the US these days without completely destroying the country. Sadly, I would have to agree...:rose:
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Marc Clifton wrote: There's just nothing I can DO about it Thats really the problem right there. We poor helpless citizens. :(( It isn't that we can't change, it just more work than anyone is willing but forth. BW "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life." - Confucius
It isn't that we can't change, it just more work than anyone is willing but forth. What are my options: 1. shoot the SOB's 2. become one of them myself 3. start a citizen's group or other action group While #3 is obviously the "right" choice, most citizen groups are ridiculed and passed of as "fringe". People are cows. They have herd mentality. They are stupid. There is nothing I can do about it. (Well, I'm raising my son to think for himself, so maybe that's a small contribution). Any other suggestions? Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka -
It isn't that we can't change, it just more work than anyone is willing but forth. What are my options: 1. shoot the SOB's 2. become one of them myself 3. start a citizen's group or other action group While #3 is obviously the "right" choice, most citizen groups are ridiculed and passed of as "fringe". People are cows. They have herd mentality. They are stupid. There is nothing I can do about it. (Well, I'm raising my son to think for himself, so maybe that's a small contribution). Any other suggestions? Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka MuraokaMarc Clifton wrote: 1. shoot the SOB's This one is tempting. ;) Marc Clifton wrote: (Well, I'm raising my son to think for himself, so maybe that's a small contribution). Awesome! Don't stop with him, though. The way you run your life does get noticed by others. Your positive actions eventually do rub off. At least I believe thats true. Maybe I'm naive. Marc Clifton wrote: Any other suggestions? Letters/emails to representives, city officials, etc. Newspaper editorials. Local websites that deal with area issues(if you have any). Local radio talk shows. Discussing issues and solutions with people you run into. Everyone has to get involved at some level. Find what really bugs you and try to get things moving. I do have to note here, that I'm all talk. I think about taking action, but haven't pushed myself that far yet. So maybe these things will work, maybe they won't, but until we try fix it we really can't bitch. BW "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life." - Confucius
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OldRob wrote: A wise man, Mr. Jefferson he was right about the need for revolution, but wrong in assuming that it could happen. the American revolution was a breeze compared to what it would take for a revolution large enough to re-start the US govt these days. just as speculation, the US civil war killed somewhere around 600,000, took many years, and failed (if you assume the south's goal was to start a new government that fixed the problems with the federal govt.). in 1860, the popluation of the US was 31,000,000. so that 600K was 2% of the population. these days, that would work out to about 5.6 million deaths (making many wild assumptions - like that weapons haven't improved). IMO, there's no way a revolution could happen in the US these days without completely destroying the country. -c
That assumes the only possible revolution would have to be violent. Surely there is a better way than storming the Capitol. BW "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life." - Confucius
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That assumes the only possible revolution would have to be violent. Surely there is a better way than storming the Capitol. BW "If you enjoy what you do, you'll never work another day in your life." - Confucius
brianwelsch wrote: Surely there is a better way than storming the Capitol. maybe. but i don't think the current political system will allow anything even approaching the kinds of changes required to get the govt into a state where it represents the people, not the people with deep pockets. -c
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Quick, get under that door frame fast! I haven't voted in a long time. I get into a lot of interesting discussions on this issue, but I simply refuse to vote for "the lesser of two evils". When you have less than 50% turn-out in US elections I, probably like others, don't feel a sense of "ownership" or "pride" in our government anymore. This contributes to my lack of interest in any election process. I feel that I have no control over what happens. Here's an example, using recent events. The Republicans added a rider to the homeland security bill (I won't even touch that) that prevents people from being able to sue for injury/death related to vaccinations (and I won't even get into my issues with vaccinations!) Then, Bush mandates that military and health care workers must take the smallpox vaccine, in which 1 out of 3 people will get sick, nobody has figured out how those sick people will be compensated (and do they take vacation time or sick leave time), and I don't know the statistic on 1 out of x people will die, but the reason their not giving it to the general public is because there is a risk of death. Furthermore, anyone with a compromised immune system (this includes people with simple disorders like skin exema [sp?]), will need to be screened out because the vaccine WILL probably kill YOU. Now, another little known fact is that there is a government agency so specifically help parents whose children have been injured by vaccinations. The most common injury is some form of brain damage (including autism) resulting from the ensuing fever. Does any of this make sense? Did I have any choice in this process? NO! OK, enough of that. Now on to my other issue. When this country was founded, you needed to be a land owner and literate to vote. It demonstrated that you have the ability to succeed in business, that you are a working, contributing member of the society, and that you (hopefully) have read different views and perhaps written your own on various election issues. Now, any crackhead lying in the gutters of New Haven CT can vote. I feel helpess because their are IDIOTS that are making choices FOR ME. And some of these IDIOTS post articles on CP, as has been recently demonstrated (there. I snuck that one in!) We need to return to non-politically correct, racist, and prejudiced ways, I say! People need to be responsible for themselves, and not expect the government to be responsible for THEM. I pay higher car insurance rates because there are idiots out
G'day mate! I thought I'd throw out a bit of Marc bait but I must've just missed ya! Marc Clifton wrote: Bush mandates that military and health care workers must take the smallpox vaccine ... but the reason their not giving it to the general public is because there is a risk of death. Doens't being in the military sort of carry the risk of death anyway? :laugh: You're right, though - this sucks. I don't know too much about it but it seems like a gross over-reaction. Marc Clifton wrote: Did I have any choice in this process? NO! Isn't that one of the consequences of democracy (or even a repreresntative goverment)? You don't always get what *you* want. Marc Clifton wrote: Is it just a problem of scale NO! It's a problem of education! See, now with this I disagree. You're an educated gentlemen yet you feel that you have no say in the process and are pissed off with what's happening to the point where you have stopped participating. And *this* is the crux of my question. Is "the system" broken to the point where people, who can and want to make a contribution, can't and/or don't want to because they feel it wouldn't make any difference? And if so, is there anything we can do about it, from making minor tweaks to throwing it all out and starting afresh.
he he he. I like it in the kitchen! - Marc Clifton (on taking the heat when being flamed) Awasu v0.4a[^]: A free RSS reader with support for Code Project.
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G'day mate! I thought I'd throw out a bit of Marc bait but I must've just missed ya! Marc Clifton wrote: Bush mandates that military and health care workers must take the smallpox vaccine ... but the reason their not giving it to the general public is because there is a risk of death. Doens't being in the military sort of carry the risk of death anyway? :laugh: You're right, though - this sucks. I don't know too much about it but it seems like a gross over-reaction. Marc Clifton wrote: Did I have any choice in this process? NO! Isn't that one of the consequences of democracy (or even a repreresntative goverment)? You don't always get what *you* want. Marc Clifton wrote: Is it just a problem of scale NO! It's a problem of education! See, now with this I disagree. You're an educated gentlemen yet you feel that you have no say in the process and are pissed off with what's happening to the point where you have stopped participating. And *this* is the crux of my question. Is "the system" broken to the point where people, who can and want to make a contribution, can't and/or don't want to because they feel it wouldn't make any difference? And if so, is there anything we can do about it, from making minor tweaks to throwing it all out and starting afresh.
he he he. I like it in the kitchen! - Marc Clifton (on taking the heat when being flamed) Awasu v0.4a[^]: A free RSS reader with support for Code Project.
You have email. You don't always get what *you* want. I can live with that, but not when candidates are elected based on their looks (a survey I read several years ago--some women, and I actually know a few, actually vote this way). You're an educated gentlemen :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: And *this* is the crux of my question. Mmmm. Another respondant to my post pointed out that, besides shooting the damn politicians, I can write letters, make phone calls, etc. His point is really good. And frankly, I can't answer your question until I've tried this. So his point is right--I'm just too damned lazy. I really ought to do something about that. Wait, no. That was actually a sane thing to say! Time to go back into the kitchen... and finish dinner! (Cooking is one of those things I love to do). Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka -
Colin Davies wrote: Why should it be 16/18/21 and not 35. because 18 yr olds can be sent to die to prop up the financial interests of 35 yr olds, 18 yr olds deserve the vote. -c
Chris Losinger wrote: because 18 yr olds can be sent to die to prop up the financial interests of 35 yr olds, 18 yr olds deserve the vote. I chose 35 actually because I think to be a US president this is the minimum age. Do 18 yr olds who are not registered for conscription in the US loose their right to vote ? I'm not disagreeing with you. Actually I think the "Draft" should be taken from 35 yr olds and up. :-) Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
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http://dubyadubyadubya.com [^] you have fined 1 CP level by the order of the masses
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02Chris already has this linked so I wouldn't call this a violation. I want an appeal!
Jason Henderson
start page ; articles henderson is coming henderson is an opponent's worst nightmare * googlism * -
Chris Losinger wrote: because 18 yr olds can be sent to die to prop up the financial interests of 35 yr olds, 18 yr olds deserve the vote. I chose 35 actually because I think to be a US president this is the minimum age. Do 18 yr olds who are not registered for conscription in the US loose their right to vote ? I'm not disagreeing with you. Actually I think the "Draft" should be taken from 35 yr olds and up. :-) Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
Colin Davies wrote: Do 18 yr olds who are not registered for conscription in the US loose their right to vote ? i'm not sure if draft dogding is a felony or a misdemeanor. if it's a felony, then yes, you lose your right to vote. -c
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Chris already has this linked so I wouldn't call this a violation. I want an appeal!
Jason Henderson
start page ; articles henderson is coming henderson is an opponent's worst nightmare * googlism *show me your evidence and maybe we will lesson your sentence to 2 weeks in the same room as John Simmons :)
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02 -
show me your evidence and maybe we will lesson your sentence to 2 weeks in the same room as John Simmons :)
Technically speaking the dictionary would define Visual Basic users as programmers.
But here again, a very generalized, liberal definition is being employed and it's wrong
- just plain wrong - Tom Archer 5/12/02In Chris Losinger's original post, see the Please Stand By link. BTW, John and I would get along just fine.
Jason Henderson
start page ; articles henderson is coming henderson is an opponent's worst nightmare * googlism *