Pro-democracy rally begins in Algeria, defying ban

[August]

Originally Posted by Oberon

They do say that Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. Once upon a time I would have been the first to shout to bring down the government of the UK, indeed I am often quite delighted to see discontent expressed against our government, however more often than not recently I do begin to ponder just what is the alternative? A military state? Total monarchy? Dictatorship?
Sometimes I think that when people have too much they can forget that they have more than many others. I'm not well off, and I'm lower class, but I am better off than the average Somalian, and even after Dave the chameleon has finished hacking the finances of this country to pieces, I will still be better off than the average Somalian or Zimbabwean. Even when old ladies have to fight crime, I will still be better off than the average African, and I can complain on the internet about my government and not have to use a proxy server or worry about getting a knock on my door at three in the morning, which makes me better off than the average Chinese person.

So, all in all, yes, Dave is useless, but then again there's been a procession of useless leaders for some decades all in it for their benefit and not ours...but would I want to bring down the government? Probably not, because human greed would just put another power hungry man or woman into the top spot for the cycle to begin all over again.

Darn well said Oberon. You're first class with us!

[TLAM Strike]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Would anything get decided?

...and that would be different than the current system how???

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by August

You Europeans should do the same and vive la différence. As strange as it may seem I think being a bit different makes us our cross Atlantic ties stronger than weaker.

Plus, there would be no tourism, if one would come to a copy of one's own country

[goldorak]

Originally Posted by Oberon

They do say that Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others. Once upon a time I would have been the first to shout to bring down the government of the UK, indeed I am often quite delighted to see discontent expressed against our government, however more often than not recently I do begin to ponder just what is the alternative? A military state? Total monarchy? Dictatorship?

Well its not a 1-0 kind of proposition don't you think ? Wishing for change doesn't mean people embrace a dictatorship or a police state. Change simply means change, a change in perspective. A change in the priorities. etc... It doesn't mean burning and tearing down the system. That is what extremists want.

Sometimes I think that when people have too much they can forget that they have more than many others. I'm not well off, and I'm lower class, but I am better off than the average Somalian, and even after Dave the chameleon has finished hacking the finances of this country to pieces, I will still be better off than the average Somalian or Zimbabwean. Even when old ladies have to fight crime, I will still be better off than the average African, and I can complain on the internet about my government and not have to use a proxy server or worry about getting a knock on my door at three in the morning, which makes me better off than the average Chinese person.

Please, there is always someone worse than you, me or joe 6 pack.
Does this mean we have to accept passively all that is decided ? Does that mean we have to abdicate to our function as citizens in a democracy ?
I live in europe (so do you). What happens in africa, or the us or far east asia is completely inconsequential to my decision to vote for a party rather than another. I give priority to local issues rather the asking myself wether or not some poor guy is cina is getting murdered by their state. Lets put things in the right perspective.

So, all in all, yes, Dave is useless, but then again there's been a procession of useless leaders for some decades all in it for their benefit and not ours...but would I want to bring down the government? Probably not, because human greed would just put another power hungry man or woman into the top spot for the cycle to begin all over again.

Did I ever said I wanted to bring down the system ?
No, I said I was for change. Change can be extreme, can be moderate or something inbetween. I have no intention of being Nero as he watches passively Rome being burned to ashes (although historically he never did this).