my last word on politics for 2008.

[Sixty8panther]

....I'll try to stick to the title.

As most of you might have noticed I've been consciously

staying away from most of the political threads, I agreed

with O.B.s thread about how futile & damaging they are

to the C&G community. but here's a quick thought.

Sometimes things seem clearer at 4:00am

I've been talking in length with a friend from UPS during

our breaks, about the err of our two party system.

And then this A.M., at about 4:00am it HIT me.

You wanna know the TRUE reason WHY there is a TWO

PARTY SYSTEM in the USA?

Divide and conquer.

While most reasonable, self respecting Americans agree

about the important issues, or at least agree to agree,

the two party system keeps/makes the rich richer,the

powerful in control and the masses bickering over bread

crumbs instead of paying attention to the REAL issues.

I realize that is a gross oversimplification, but I truly

believe there is something to this.

[the_yellow_dart]

Sure, there are definately drawbacks to a 2 party system, but then check out Canada. We have basically a 4-party system. We had an election yesterday, and we elected another minority government, meaning that no party got 50% - laws are difficult to pass and bi- or tri-partisanism is required for EVERYTHING. It also means another election (which costs the country millions) is probably no more than 2 years away as a minority parliament is very dysfunctional.

So there are problems with our system too.

[Lamar]

Sure, there are definately drawbacks to a 2 party system, but then check out Canada. We have basically a 4-party system. We had an election yesterday, and we elected another minority government, meaning that no party got 50% - laws are difficult to pass and bi- or tri-partisanism is required for EVERYTHING. It also means another election (which costs the country millions) is probably no more than 2 years away as a minority parliament is very dysfunctional.

So there are problems with our system too.

Yeah, and due to how deeply ingrained the system is down here, it would take DECADES to revamp the system.

[Sixty8panther]

If things get bad enough, (I hope to God I'm wrong here) it would take a lot less

than that.... thank God (existent or not) for the second amendment, because we

as Americans need it more than ever. Thanks to big brother and many of the

bizarre twists and turns of the past two decades, we just might see an age when

the government get so corrupt/out of touch that only some horrific bloodshed

will put us back on course. While that would be insanely tragic it's a lesser evil

than the current "sit back and just say F*** it attitude" of the typical American.

Somehow, sometime, somewhere... probably not in our lifetime but in the not to

distant future, the damn has to break. Either it will be WWIII, a second civil war,

or civil uprising, or else.... the USA will, just as Rome did 17-odd centuries ago,

fall from the greatest power in the world to a mere has been.

Edited October 16, 2008 by Sixty8panther

[Camino LS6]

It's good to see more people realizing just how far gone we really are. There is really no good reason to continue to place any faith in the major parties.

[Sixty8panther]

Camino;

About a year ago a few of my friends (acquaintances) would occasionally

tell me how I'm paranoid and the constant rants about the economy and

the horrible end-result of unprecedented outsourcing, the bubble of the

housing market, the err of our "patriot act" slippery slope... well, let's just

say I was told that my over-the-top opinions were paranoid and delusional

After all, it's a bright, amazing future of optimism and world-unity, filled

with iPods, hybrid cars and plasma TVs for all.

Now the reminder of those conversations draws blank faces.

[daves87rs]

It's good to see more people realizing just how far gone we really are. There is really no good reason to continue to place any faith in the major parties.

[97regalGS]

If things get bad enough, (I hope to God I'm wrong here) it would take a lot less

than that.... thank God (existent or not) for the second amendment, because we

as Americans need it more than ever. Thanks to big brother and many of the

bizarre twists and turns of the past two decades, we just might see an age when

the government get so corrupt/out of touch that only some horrific bloodshed

will put us back on course. While that would be insanely tragic it's a lesser evil

than the current "sit back and just say F*** it attitude" of the typical American.

Somehow, sometime, somewhere... probably not in our lifetime but in the not to

distant future, the damn has to break. Either it will be WWIII, a second civil war,

or civil uprising, or else.... the USA will, just as Rome did 17-odd centuries ago,

fall from the greatest power in the world to a mere has been.

America is on the downward decline as 'the' world power. Because you are living it, you can't see it. But history will show the USA reached it's peak in the world many, many years before 2008. As with the Roman Empire, the British Empire, Gengis Khan and every other 'empire' this one too will end.

[Robert Hall]

America is on the downward decline as 'the' world power. Because you are living it, you can't see it. But history will show the USA reached it's peak in the world many, many years before 2008. As with the Roman Empire, the British Empire, Gengis Khan and every other 'empire' this one too will end.

The 20th century was the century of the American Empire. The question is who is going to dominate this century? China?

Edited October 17, 2008 by moltar

[97regalGS]

The 20th century was the century of the American Empire. The question is who is going to dominate this century? China?

ask that question again in 2100.

[Robert Hall]

ask that question again in 2100.

I'm afraid I'll be long gone by then.

[Sixty8panther]

I'd say we peeked in the 1960s.

[loki]

on digg there was a link to legislation in AZ about succession from the union if "martial law" was declared or the like or the 2nd amendment was taken away...not sure if it passed or is a current thing, but it said there were ~30ish other states that made the same statement.

[Sixty8panther]

Good.

I just watched the "addendum" to the Zeitgeist movie.

Funny how my original idea in this thread is supported

by both Zeitgeist movies... too bad they get all silly &

advocate a "Utopian" ideal that is not realistic IMHO.

[Robert Hall]

on digg there was a link to legislation in AZ about succession from the union if "martial law" was declared or the like or the 2nd amendment was taken away...not sure if it passed or is a current thing, but it said there were ~30ish other states that made the same statement.

Doesn't surprise me..there are a lot of nutters here. But Spanish will be the primary language in AZ within a few decades, though...

[A Horse With No Name]

It's good to see more people realizing just how far gone we really are. There is really no good reason to continue to place any faith in the major parties.

+1

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

The 20th century was the century of the American Empire. The question is who is going to dominate this century? China?

That would be my thought, along with India, Germany and Japan.

Really the 20th Century should ahve been the German ?Century but they pissed it away with two world wars.

Chris

[Robert Hall]

That would be my thought, along with India, Germany and Japan.

Really the 20th Century should have been the German ?Century but they pissed it away with two world wars.

Chris

Yeah, the BRIC (Brasil, Russia, India, and China) economies have been on the rise... though I'm wondering if Russia is heading backwards towards the Soviet days...

[Sixty8panther]

Seem so.... Russia is just a barren wasteland in so many ways.

They have the potential to be so much greater, more powerful,

but the country just seems to stagnate while many of the great

minds, athletes leave. It's sad really, with all their resources

they COULD be a contender against almost anyone....

[Croc]

I think it will be Brasil. That's my prediction.

[Sixty8panther]

Brazil? really?

I'd say China, Japan & esp. the Eu are in a better position.

[SoCalCTS]

France!

[Sixty8panther]

What are they going to surrender now & to whom?

[Robert Hall]

Brazil? really?

I'd say China, Japan & esp. the Eu are in a better position.

Well, they are the 'B' in BRIC...their economy has been growing fast, and they've really got the ethanol thing working well from what I've read.

BRIC