Questions for our American folk

[Letum]

National interest in politics = poor standard of living X (political freedom + political awareness)

ok, its not math, but that sums it up.

The UK and America both have a high standard of living, so politics seams less important.

[Peto]

I try to keep my eye on the ball most all of the time. Having connections with the international community helps as it is quite embarassing to learn how much more someone from another country knows about US politics than I do. And I try to use my knowledge of history (college minor/lifetime hobby) as a basis to compare trends I see in individuals, parties and powerfull special interest groups. The last 7 years have been quite frightening...

[CDR Resser]

I am quite active in politics. It began while I was in high school, and had a very active history teacher and participated in Model UN. Yes I was, and probably still am a nerd.
Got a chance to meet all of the Republican candidates during the '96 cycle. I remain more impressed with Lamar Alexander than any candidate since, although Alan Keyes certainly can give a speech.
Elections are the only way that we can affect the course of our government. Now it is too corrupt, and driven by lobbyists. You can thank the tax code, as well as 40 years of one party control of the congress for that.
I can't believe that people here are contemplating the lurch to the left, and a nanny state, that many current candidtes are advocating. That ideology has failed everywhere it has been tried, often with spectacularly bloody results.
Our Bill of Rights is non-negotiable, not one little bit, not now, not ever.
Our government is too big, too expensive, too expansive and too intrusive.
Thomas Jefferson was right to fear for the future of the republic when people figured out that they could vote themselves money from the treasury, and thats basically where we are now.
Abraham Lincoln was also right when he said that as a nation of free men we would endure for a thousand years, or die by suicide, which is where I am afraid that we are going.
ED: I support the "Law & Order" candidate-- Fred Thompson.

Respectfully Submitted;
CDR Resser

[Letum]

Originally Posted by CDR Resser

Our Bill of Rights is non-negotiable, not one little bit, not now, not ever.

ahh, they said that about the Magna Carta Libertatum, the mother of the US
constitution, here in the UK and we only follow 2 of the freedoms form that now and
not quite in the original form.

If there is one thing you learn from having a constitution for 800 years, it's that
relevancy is never timeless.

[CDR Resser]

Originally Posted by Letum

ahh, they said that about the Magna Carta Libertatum, the mother of the US
constitution, here in the UK and we only follow 2 of the freedoms form that now and
not quite in the original form.

If there is one thing you learn from having a constitution for 800 years, it's that
relevancy is never timeless.

Without putting too fine a point on the matter, unless I am wrong, please correct me if I am, there was no provision about the right to keep and bear arms included in the Magna Carta.
The Second Amendment is the only one that guarantees all of the others. That is why it is so hotly debated here. That is also why our politicians should take note that should they ever feel the compulsion to abribge that particular freedom, they will be greeted in a most unfriendly manner.
Rope, Tree, Politician. Some assembly required.


Respectfully Submitted;
CDR Resser

[Letum]

Originally Posted by CDR Resser

The Second Amendment is the only one that guarantees all of the others. That is why it is so hotly debated here. That is also why our politicians should take note that should they ever feel the compulsion to abribge that particular freedom, they will be greeted in a most unfriendly manner.
Rope, Tree, Politician. Some assembly required.

I can see the logic in saying that:
"The Second Amendment is the only one that guarantees all of the others"
i.e.It allows people to to shoot politicians or the police to stop constitutional
changes. Perhaps not as sensible as voting, but I'll put that aside.However, is
it not also the one that threatens all others?
It equally allows you to shoot politicians or the police to force constitutional
changes.

[Sailor Steve]

No.

If the government has all the guns, then the people exist by the whim of the government.

If the people have all the guns, the the government exists by the whim of the people.

The Second Amendment indeed guarantees us the ability to overthrow the government by force, if necessary.

But only as a last resort.

[Tchocky]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

No.

If the government has all the guns, then the people exist by the whim of the government.

If the people have all the guns, the the government exists by the whim of the people.

The Second Amendment indeed guarantees us the ability to overthrow the government by force, if necessary.

But only as a last resort.

I can't convince myself that in my country, where indeed the government have all the guns, we exist by the leniency of government power.
You're placing government and people alongside each other, as if one could exist without the other.


12,221! Palindromic postcount, congrats Steve