The Zero Sum Existence of America the Last 8 Years

[BuckarooBanzai]

Re: The Zero Sum Existence of America the Last 8 Years

There actually is no difference between the two parties because they are both elected by the same electorate. And history has shown that the electorate's votes can be bought with Federal money. As long as that continues to be the case, the public will keep electing pork barrel Republicans and tax and spend Democrats.

Hate to say this but, as Aristotle said, the people get the rulers they deserve.

This is true of every country. I get endless complaints about the political corruption in India (where Im from) from my friends back home. I ask them the same question I ask American and British friends who complain about the politicians: who elects these politicians?

There are three critical elements, but you have only identified two (the politicians and the electorate). The third element, which is critical, is the political system or framework that the politicians and electorate inhabit. And our political framework has been badly compromised in the past 150 years.

How did our system get compromised? I would argue that the fundamental problem lies in our judicial system. Bad decisions were made throughout the 19th century that allowed Corporations to hijack much of the legal benefits that natural humans have, while simultaneously avoiding the natural limitations that humans are also subject to. The 20th century has seen the rise of the activist judiciary and legislation from the bench, which has corrupted the plain language of the constitution and created a political system that has spiraled out of control in the last 100 years.

Is it the electorate's fault that the system itself has been compromised? Since judges are appointed and not elected, it is difficult to hold them fully accountable.

[metalman]

Re: The Zero Sum Existence of America the Last 8 Years

credit? yours?

[hayekvindicated]

Re: The Zero Sum Existence of America the Last 8 Years

That cartoon implies that the electorate is cattle of low intelligence.

I assume that is what Metal Man is applauding. Is that right?

[Raz]

Re: The Zero Sum Existence of America the Last 8 Years

Actually, they became WORSE: Tax and Borrow. At least the "tax-n-spend" Democrats made an effort to control the deficit. (Until Obama, alas.....assuming he's a Democrat, of course....)

I'm not sure this is correct. Klinton (Bomb Yugoslavia back to the Stone-Age!) never submitted anything close to a balanced budget. Tom Foley and Jim "Eyebrows" Wright were almost totally irresponsible mega-spenders.

It only happened after the Republicans took the House in 1994. Newt-the-Gingrich was an asshole, but apparently not a total and complete sell-out like Hastert & Company.

Now it doesn't matter - they're ALL RepubliCrats. :mad:

[litfuse]

Re: The Zero Sum Existence of America the Last 8 Years

... And our political framework has been badly compromised in the past 150 years....

Not sure if it was my parents or my schooling experiances that gave me the impression that America was somehow "more free" or "better ruled?" by our founding fathers so long ago.

America was founded by a bunch of white land/slave owners who were tired of being abused by a different bunch of white owners on the other side of the world.

Our founding fathers told their owners to f-off, fought for freedom then immediately setup rules that benefit them and kept them in charge.

Now you can argue that it may of been one of the rare times in history that farm owners (common man) ruled themselves. But in reality farm owners were the social elite in America at that time.

So what has been compromised in the past 150 years?