US no longer a democracy study finds

We're not the most plutocratic republic, but we're definitely on the classist end of the First World.

 

The biggest problem with the referendum system in California is that programs aren't tied to budget items.

People will vote for a given program/building/infrastructure, but the funding won't be tied to the same vote. Later, people then vote for the funding, and half of the time, it gets voted down.

In effect, the people are terrible at doing the math.

Admittedly, the system should include funding with the vote for the program itself. Why they set it up this way is beyond me, but they clearly had no foresight.

 

Each state is a democracy. That's where it ends.

 

It depends on the state, but in a lot of cases, local and state governments are even more corrupt than the feds.

It's much easier to buy off a state politician than a federal one.

 

Oh, yeah, but they still hold one man/one vote elections. To my way of thinking, the electoral college and the two senators/state concepts are anti-democratic.

 

"According to their data, when the rich support a policy, it has a 45% chance of becoming law." and
"It turns out, in fact, that the preferences of average citizens are positively and fairly
highly correlated, across issues, with the preferences of economic elites (see Table 2.) Rather
often, average citizens and affluent citizens (our proxy for economic elites) want the same things
from government."

Id say its not a plutocracy at all.

 

I agree somewhat.

The Senate is kind of outdated at this point, and the Electoral College is REALLY outdated.

Unicameral parliaments with proportional representation seem like the best systems at this point.

 

When the average citizen agrees with the elite, that says a lot about the media of the applicable nation.

Every society suffers a certain amount of propaganda, but America has a lot more of it than many of its peers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mockingbird

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_in_the_United_States

 

And so was the last one. Whats your point?

 

I have been saying that we are a plutocracy for years.

 

Basically that's how it goes. People are not really aware of this and end up thinking their ideas are born out of them and only them, when actually they have been fed with the ideas of other people. Ultimately the decisions are made by the few, when the most are just spectators.

Todays democracy is just an illuminated despotism. People do not take decisions, small elites are the ones driving everything. Anyway there is no other way it could go because " democracy is too precious to be left to the people " and that's so true.

 

Actually it doesnt say a thing about it.

 

Sure it doesn't.

 

You'll never get the red states to go along with that. They approve of being over-represented and of their ability to vote themselves money.

 

For polisci professors they have an awful lot to learn about how pluralist societies function, this study is a whole lot of nothing.

 

There's no comparison to speak of. This administration openly picks and chooses which laws it will and will no enforce. The president is a known liar. Why don't you open your eyes to the blatant tyranny and lawlessness of this man and his team. Good god man, are you so partisan you don't care what this is doing to your future and that of your descendants?

 

It's a strictly censored democracy or an oligarchy mixed in with a democracy for the willing elite.

 

Aren't they all? There is a very strong case that both of the Bush presidents shoud face the international criminal court

 

The irony to it all is we have a nation divided by politics, divided between two majority political parties, each of which contributes equally to destroying the intentions of the founders. We didn't get to this point by one party or the other hosing it up....they both have and we sit as willing participants defending one side or the other. I'm always surprised people aren't flabbergasted by both parties. Clinging to one or the other seems to fit the mold of divide and conquer, which is exactly what they've done.

This is exactly why I don't associate myself with either political party. This just gave credence to my position that neither is in my best interest to support.

 

It's also why we need a new political party to represent the centre ground of political reality.

 

I agree, but I wonder if they could ever build themselves up to compete? The two parties reign with supreme power to destroy anything and anyone who threatens their system. I just don't see how you overcome their power and influence, but it's much needed.

 

Im not an Obama fan. But I dont think he is any worse ( in fact I think he is better ) than Bush Jr was. Obama is simply an average president. Hes certainly nothing special and no great leader. But he also isnt the death of America and the end freedom as so many on the right want to claim he is.

 

They both suck.

But My problem with Obama is that his decisions are 100% partisan! here isn't a single person on the right standing with him. It started with OCare and has gotten worse and worse. That's not Democracy.

Even when the resolution to invade Iraq went in about half of the (D) senate and house agreed. It was the only time I ever agreed with Harry Reid, but at least it wasn't just one parry. (Even though Dems act like it now).

My worry isn't really about Obama, but about the future. Will Republivans be angry enough to do the same if they get full control? Yup, bet they will.

THAT is the damage I believe is solely Obamas fault

 

If republicans get so mad they are willing to burn the country to the ground, as they have shown they are willing to do, then that is 100% on them, and has nothing to do with Obama.


Ill be honest though, I think its coming.

 

He's a closet Marxist.
ACA is a never-ending job killer.
His policies have locked in the recession.
His administration flouts the law and Congress.
He bullies Americans and caves to our enemies.
His legacy will be the silent killer of strangling regulations.
He's looking the other way while Iran makes nuclear weapons.
He's a serial liar and his rep at home and worldwide is shot - an embarrassment.
Under his administration and the Dem controlled Senate, our debt has gone stratospheric.
Health insurance is now more expensive than ever and even more out of reach. Plus we now have taxes and fines with it.

Open your eyes, sir. Comparing presidents is pointless because HE is what we have to deal with NOW.
This is not a partisan finger wagging contest, it's our lives and our children s' future.
Did you vote for him?