Democracy or Republic?

[Balthazzar]

There are only two paths left to us.

1. Vote all incumbents out of office at every opportunity regardless of party, and keep doing it until the candidates in office proves him or herself worthy of the office by actively fighting (not just talking) the legalized bribery and blatant incompetence destroying what little governance we have left. (This will also require that more 'normal, reasonable, intelligent' citizens begin running for office with the express intention of doing exactly this. )

2. The citizens finally become so angry and frustrated with the total failure of their current government that they revolt, reject it, and begin setting up a new one. This, however, is extremely risky as the replacement may be worse than the replaced, and those currently in power will not give it up with a very bloody fight. Also, there are always the contingent of lurking 'bully-boys' in every society of humans just waiting for a moment of social chaos to rise up and express their desire to rape, rob, and murder their fellow humans.

Time seems more appropriate than either of the options you listed.
1. Incompetence is no less ours than anyone in office. We elect our representatives.
2. The above carries beyond our borders and reflects on us as citizens.
3. Morale is needed as is support for those "we" elect to represent us.

If we want real change, then I would suggest taking a seat as part of the government with the due diligence citizenship deserves.

Civics

 

[PureX]

Time seems more appropriate than either of the options you listed.
1. Incompetence is no less ours than anyone in office. We elect our representatives.
2. The above carries beyond our borders and reflects on us as citizens.
3. Morale is needed as is support for those "we" elect to represent us.

If we want real change, then I would suggest taking a seat as part of the government with the due diligence citizenship deserves.

We have been systematically demoralized as a people over the course of generations. And only we can decide to stand up and put a stop to it. There are really only two ways to do that.

Will we? It's doubtful. But that wasn't the question I was answering.

 

[Balthazzar]

We have been systematically demoralized as a people over the course of generations. And only we can decide to stand up and put a stop to it. There are really only two ways to do that.

Will we? It's doubtful. But that wasn't the question I was answering.

One in particular comes to mind. Literally. It's our 1st line of defense, followed by the right to bear arms. I prefer one over the 2nd, but the 2nd no less important than the 1st. Blue ribbon vs. red ribbon mindset seems apparent enough. Democracy

 

[Father Heathen]

How can America be a democracy when the desires of the people are ignored by congress? Congress panders to the interests that fund it. It's been captured by industry and banking.
America is an oligarchy.

They only things they allow to be changed via elections are things that don't impact their bottom line.

 

[Father Heathen]

One in particular comes to mind. Literally. It's our 1st line of defense, followed by the right to bear arms. I prefer one over the 2nd, but the 2nd no less important than the 1st. Blue ribbon vs. red ribbon mindset seems apparent enough. Democracy

Tacticool cosplaying Gravy SEALS aren't reliable defense against tyranny. In fact, if a despot came to power they would very likely be among the constituents.

 

[Balthazzar]

Tacticool cosplaying Gravy SEALS aren't reliable defense against tyranny. In fact, if a despot came to power they would very likely be among the constituents.

Freedom of press is a powerful tool. Freedom of assembly is another very powerful tool. Religion offers various types of people an opportunity to assemble with those like-minded, which is yet another powerful tool. The freedom to do these things peaceably is guaranteed by our bill of rights. The second is no less important than the 1st, although people like myself make every effort to avoid needing to resort to the utilization of. Civic duty and due diligence is more apt to garner a greater following than bearing arms in effort to make changes in national politics and policies, and while the weight of a bullet heavier than the weight of 4 tons of press related publications aimed at solutions, it's very likely worth the lesser 4 ton weight than it is of a bullet.

 

[Father Heathen]

Freedom of press is a powerful tool. Freedom of assembly is another very powerful tool. Religion offers various types of people an opportunity to assemble with those like-minded, which is yet another powerful tool. The freedom to do these things peaceably is guaranteed by our bill of rights. The second is no less important than the 1st, although people like myself make every effort to avoid needing to resort to the utilization of. Civic duty and due diligence is more apt to garner a greater following than bearing arms in effort to make changes in national politics and policies, and while the weight of a bullet heavier than the weight of 4 tons of press related publications aimed at solutions, it's very likely worth the lesser 4 ton weight than it is of a bullet.

Walk us through a hypothetical and plausible scenario where/how the 2A saves the day in that regard.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Getting money out of politics would be one important part. Wolf Pac is on that.

Yes, and the other side of that coin is getting politics out of the business of elections.

While nobody is perfect, I think that's one way that Canada has made some significant strides over the US. Canada has quite strict laws about fundraising for electoral parties and hopefuls, with hard maximums at every level. And second, everything about elections, from defining electoral districts to running elections themselves is managed by non-partisan agencies like Elections Canada. Elections Canada has the following responsibilities:

• Making sure that all voters have access to the electoral system
• Informing citizens about the electoral system
• Maintaining the National Register of Electors
• Enforcing electoral legislation
• Training election officers
• Producing maps of electoral districts
• Registering political parties, electoral district associations, and third parties that engage in election advertising
• Administering the allowances paid to registered political parties
• Monitoring election spending by candidates, political parties and third parties
• Publishing financial information on political parties, electoral district associations, candidates, nomination contestants, leadership contestants and third parties
• Supporting the independent commissions responsible for adjusting the boundaries of federal electoral districts every ten years
• Reporting to Parliament on the administration of elections and referendums

Provincial and municipal elections are run by the provinces (e.g. Elections Ontario, also non-partisan), but the electoral districts remain the same as those established by Elections Canada.

 

[1137]

We are a plutocracy.

 

[Balthazzar]

Walk us through a hypothetical and plausible scenario where/how the 2A saves the day in that regard.

National security - as stated in the constitution and bill of rights, but beyond this, to defend our nation from a foreign control, whether foreign or from more domestic sources. Like I suggested, I prefer democracy and voter-based citizen majorities working together in the pursuit of happiness. 1st amendment helps ensure this. The second would help secure it...if and when necessary.

 

[Father Heathen]

National security - as stated in the constitution and bill of rights, but beyond this, to defend our nation from a foreign control, whether foreign or from more domestic sources. Like I suggested, I prefer democracy and voter-based citizen majorities working together in the pursuit of happiness. 1st amendment helps ensure this. The second would help secure it...if and when necessary.

How would armed civilians defend our nation from foreign control if our military wasn't capable of doing so?

 

[PureX]

The whole idea of a modern citizen militia is idiotic. Our current military is made up of regular citizens and as long as we never allow the government to create an army of paid mercinaries we have nothing to fear from our own military. The military IS US.

As far a gun owmership goes, we all should have the right to own and use firearms ... appropriately. Just as we should have the right to own and operate motor vehicles and other dangerous machinery ... appropriately. However, because doing this endangers ourselves and each other, this right MUST be overseen, and effectively regulated, and forfeited If it is abused.

 

[McBell]

Any thoughts on course correction?

Fire those not doing their job.
For example, if the government shuts down because the budget is not figured out, the whole lot of them are fired on the spot and completely ineligible for any government position (federal, state, local, made up) to include but not limited to aide, intern, trainer, pet, doctor, advisor, etc. for life.

They must prominently show off their sponsors at all times.
Give them NASCAR like suits so they can sew patches on them that reveal who is sponsoring them.

No adding off topic additions to bills.