Let me explain the current political situation

[palo5]

Originally Posted by TCO95

I want to lessen the government's control over my life not extend it

But I thought you lived in the 'land of the free', Comrade

How is it possible to be more free?

[MisterMacky]

Originally Posted by Norbert84

I like how Paul Goodman nailed the point regarding freedom of speech and democratic participation in America (and it's not too different here either):

"In America you can say anything you want - as long as it doesn't have any effect"

Since 1980, the GOP has been campaigning against voting. At some point the POTUS will be removed on basis of cultural bias.

[TCO95]

The desire for power has corrupted more than a few good people. In our societies there are two short cuts to achieve power, politics and religion.

In politics, this desire for power has led to a paradox. We consistently have leaders who are leaders because they know how to shut up and do as they are told. For example, you won't espouse my message then I'll withhold my money. You won't enact my policies then I'll withhold my voting block. You won't give my friends cushy jobs then you get bad press. There are more examples but you get the point.

To achieve power via religion all you need to do is to pick up the Bible, Koran, Talmud or a Betty Crocker cook book and start preaching. Sooner of later you'll have a following. It doesn't seem to matter how wacky your message is as long as you promise to improve everyone's standing.

So what's my point? None of the current political systems are perfect or even close. However, if we remove the possibility for easy power by limiting the scope of government we would go a long ways toward making the job unattractive to the person who is merely power hungry. If we said the only job of government was health, education, welfare and security then we would remove a lot, but not all, of the links to private enterprise. We would also need to restrict government from owning anything. One less reason to want the job. We would also need to restrict government from interfering in the market place. This would lead to an open market. If no one wants your product then improve it or go out of business.

We must also change the electoral process to include accountability. It needs to be treated more as a job interview and not a campaign. If you promise no new taxes then you are not allowed to implement any new taxes. Any attempt to do so gets you fired, just like in the real world. If I lied to get my job then my employer is free to fire me when the lie is revealed why shouldn't politicians face the same penalty?

Enacting these changes would attract people who believe public service is an honour. This system would dissuade those that believe its a chance to stick their snouts as far into the public trough as is humanly possible.

[MisterMacky]

Originally Posted by TCO95

SNIP

In politics, this desire for power has led to a paradox. We consistently have leaders who are leaders because they know how to shut up and do as they are told. For example, you won't espouse my message then I'll withhold my money. You won't enact my policies then I'll withhold my voting block. You won't give my friends cushy jobs then you get bad press. There are more examples but you get the point.

SNIP

Soft power is exercised by altering or changing underlying motivation for action or omission of action.

[Estreeter]

Originally Posted by palo5

How is it possible to be more free?

Think of yourself as a dog on a leash, and that leash is 6 foot long, you only have 6 feet of freedom.

Then think of yourself as the same dog but with a leash 12 feet long, you now have twice the freedom

But you always have the freedom too think of you owners leg as a tree

[theequestrian]

War is Peace
Freedom is Slavery
Ignorance is Strength

"Winston?" Smith asked, offering the cigarette pack to O'brien

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Estreeter

But you always have the freedom too think of you owners leg as a tree

That analogy made me smile

Of course, the dog must surely know that if he actually tried that, his master could take a serious dump on him

[deepsepia]

I'm more of an optimist.

This feels like the "late Vietnam funk" to me. Lets not forget, the US has embarked on a vast overseas war which has basically failed, and which never made sense in the first place.

Vietnam wrecked the nation for a decade. GWoT seems pretty similar.

Healing starts the day we bug out . . . and that day can't be far off.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by deepsepia

Healing starts the day we bug out . . . and that day can't be far off.

I thought they wanted to keep 50.000 troops in Iraq in a "non-combat role"

Is that right?

Or did you mean Afghanistan?

Or somewhere else?

[Ghaleon]

This is a quote that I think pretty much sums up what needs to be done.

"The budget should be balanced,
the Treasury should be refilled,
public debt should be reduced,
the arrogance of officialdom
should be tempered and controlled,
and the assistance to foreign lands
should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt.
People must again learn to work,
instead of living on public assistance."

Marcus Tullius Cicero

106 – 43 B.C.

Subsistute "America" for "Rome"
Pretty profound from someone who has been dead for over 2000 years.