Maybe its time for a right wing military style dictatorship

[9-10ths_Penguin]

But seriously, what purpose does having a minority party in government serve?

People who feel they aren't represented tend to uprise violently. You might be familiar with the concept: it was key in your country becoming a country.

I like the way the principle is expressed in Robert's Rules of Order (and other rules of parliamentary procedure): the majority has the right to make decisions, but all members have the right to speak and have their opinions known to everyone before the decision is made.

 

[LuisDantas]

I don't disagree, but it's important to be realistic about the rest of the world. It should be pretty clear it's not very safe out there beyond our borders and I would think a number of people would love to see our country fall. On one hand you don't want to see an arms race, and the other hand you don't want to be invaded either.

An arms race, as we have learned with definitive evidence at least for a full century now, is not helpful there.

 

[LuisDantas]

Perhaps our only real problem is that we too often have only 2 stooges running for Prez.

Hardly. And as you know full well, you do have other candidates for POTUS at every election, even if their actual chances are not remarkable.

In any case, it is clear to me that the candidates are of only circunstantial relevance. If a clown such as Trump can reach such a position of power, the flaw is undeniably and foremost in the electorate's lack of discernment above and before any other considerations.

 

[PureX]

Not that I know of.

So you don't think it's a serious question. You've never heard or thought liberals and Democrats have destroyed this country. I just think Republicans would prefer a military style government over Congress. I've never heard a Republican ever say anything nice about Congress or Democrats. What purpose do they serve then. Why do we have elections if everyone hates Congress?

I think the right's fantasy is to have no government at all. They want to return to the "wild west", which is, of course, an infantilized fantasy of the "wild west", where no one can tell them what they can do or not do. So that they would be free to become trillionaires, and to execute anyone they feel needs executing, imprison anyone that offends them, slander and humiliate anyone who's different, and so on. What they want is a child's fantasy of a totally selfish existence. They only want a military dictatorship in which each of them gets to be the lone dictator. Which is not possible in the real world. Nevertheless, they still want it, and want it so badly that they're willing to destroy what we do have, to get it.

 

[A Vestigial Mote]

I have never heard a Republican ever answer any of these questions publicly or privately. Some subjects are just taboo. It would be really interesting to hear any Republican explain to me why having Democrats in government serves a purpose.

I just can't shake the thought that you're not understanding that, while there may be (and have been for quite some time) two major parties, there don't have to be only two. There could be three. There could be 500. There could be nothing but individual, independent candidates for every office each running on their own unique platforms. The fact that it always seems to be what we call republicans "versus" what we call democrats is irrelevant to the ideals of democracy.

So, in the end, the "reason" there are democrats is because not everyone agrees with the basic platform of those calling themselves "republicans". And some people don't want someone with "republican views" representing them. So what do they do? They vote for somebody else. That somebody else has tended to be democrats, but again, obviously doesn't have to be. Humans just tend toward casting everything as two-tone, dichotomous - probably for some psychological need to keep things easy to understand so that the ego doesn't have to be faced with the intellect's lack of understanding as often or something.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I have never heard a Republican ever answer any of these questions publicly or privately. Some subjects are just taboo. It would be really interesting to hear any Republican explain to me why having Democrats in government serves a purpose.

The subject isn't taboo; you're just looking at it wrong. Even most Republicans think that democracy and political liberty serves a purpose.

And even the ones who are only interested in furthering their own party's interest realize that sometimes the Democrats win, and they wouldn't want to put in place any rules that they'd be unwilling to live with when the Republicans are the party who isn't in power.

 

[LuisDantas]

Humans just tend toward casting everything as two-tone, dichotomous - probably for some psychological need to keep things easy to understand so that the ego doesn't have to be faced with the intellect's lack of understanding as often or something.

I think that there is much crude, visceral appeal in the fantasy that any troublesome situation that we meet is ultimately caused by some form of diseased element that needs only be "defeated" for a world of our convenience to reassert itself.

Such a fantasy promises that responsibility, reason and wisdom is unnecessary as long as strength or even plain stubborness are readily available. It probably also taps into unresolved childhood frustrations.

If nothing else, Trump is useful as a fully realized display of the danger of such fantasies when they are left unchecked by people with functional judgement and discernment.

 

[Stevicus]

I think the right's fantasy is to have no government at all. They want to return to the "wild west", which is, of course, an infantilized fantasy of the "wild west", where no one can tell them what they can do or not do. So that they would be free to become trillionaires, and to execute anyone they feel needs executing, imprison anyone that offends them, slander and humiliate anyone who's different, and so on. What they want is a child's fantasy of a totally selfish existence. They only want a military dictatorship in which each of them gets to be the lone dictator. Which is not possible in the real world. Nevertheless, they want still want it, and want it so badly that they're willing to destroy what we do have, to get it.

I agree, although I'm not sure if the "wild west" is analogous here, since a lot of it was ungovernable and depended on the "cavalry coming over the hill in the nick of time." What they seem to want more than anything is the "wild east," which was run by political machines and organized crime. They want the deck stacked in their favor, while still depending on the organization of government based on the illusions of "freedom" and "liberty." That's why they will ultimately fail, since they're parasites consuming the very organism upon which their lives depend. That's also why they prey upon and consume other countries as well, but that won't last for much longer.

The main difference between those of today and the Republicans of yesteryear is that, as bad as they might have been in the past, at least they still built something of value, such as the industrial base which is now withering away into oblivion. But now, they're nothing more than parasites and scavengers subsisting off a beached whale.

 

[sun rise]

I totally agree with you. But if Republicans think liberals and Democrats are the root cause of everything bad in this country, I'm just curious what is next.

I think America will succeed where Rome failed. Steel is forged in fire and there's certainly fire right now.

 

[Theweirdtophat]

Dictatorships would never work unless the user is pure hearted.

 

[sun rise]

Democrats are very good for whining.

See there is a useful function for the party.

Democrats do it so well too.

Republicans are very good for temper tantrums.

See there is a useful function for the party.

Republicans do it so well too.

 

[sun rise]

We don't live in ideal times.

That is the understatement of the month or perhaps the decade.

 

[metis]

With a right wing military style dictatorship we will finally get things done in this country.

Well, after all, this is what Trump wants and is trying to be.

 

[LuisDantas]

Dictatorships would never work unless the user is pure hearted.

Not even then. There is no benefit from having a purehearted leader if his subjects are not comparably virtuous.

Or to put it in another way: how effective can a leader be when he is not understood?

 

[Falvlun]

I think the right's fantasy is to have no government at all. They want to return to the "wild west", which is, of course, an infantilized fantasy of the "wild west", where no one can tell them what they can do or not do. So that they would be free to become trillionaires, and to execute anyone they feel needs executing, imprison anyone that offends them, slander and humiliate anyone who's different, and so on. What they want is a child's fantasy of a totally selfish existence. They only want a military dictatorship in which each of them gets to be the lone dictator. Which is not possible in the real world. Nevertheless, they want still want it, and want it so badly that they're willing to destroy what we do have, to get it.

So, Westworld.

 

[Curious George]

For years now I've heard how liberals and Democrats have destroyed this country. And that liberals and Democrats are baby killers and Democrats are mentally retarded. I've heard how government is too big and big government is the source of all our problems. Congress has a 10% approval rating. Everyone hates Congress. Congress never gets anything done. Gridlock in Washington is why everyone is miserable. Even when the Republicans control all three branches of government somehow the Democrats are still to blame.

We simply cannot afford healthcare security, retirement security, descent place to live security, or good job security. We just can't do it no matter how much productivity improves. We simply have too much government and not enough resources to keep people out of poverty. We just can't do it.

So I've been thinking. Since Democrats are destroying this country maybe the way to take back the country is to have a right wing military style dictatorship. Everyone LOVES the military. Many people who served in the military are already conditioned to serve a commander. The president is already our Commander in Chief. Everyone LOVES the police. Everyone LOVES Jesus and the Bible. People just LOVE obeying authority. Maybe its time to stop wasting money on voting for something everyone hates and just go for a military style dictatorship. Give the people who love to obey authority exactly what they want!

With a right wing military style dictatorship we will finally get things done in this country. Liberals and Democrats will no longer be able to destroy our country. Why waste money on voting and elections when everyone hates the results. Everyone hates Congress. Compromise is a waste of time and money. We might as well save our money and just have the military in charge.

Just think how much smaller government would be if we just had military rule. Government is the reason why everything is bad in this country. Maybe it's time to get rid of the government! This country has been moving right for 30 years now. Hillary worked on Goldwater's presidential campaign! If we are moving so far to the right we might as well go ALL THE WAY! It's just a matter of time anyway.

What are you thoughts? Why is it important to have a minority party in this country? Why do we need Congress? Why do we need liberals and Democrats voting in this country? What's the point? What purpose do Democrats and liberals serve???

Very interesting and quality post. Every so often someone posts something of this sort which many seem to misunderstand.

I am not sure if it is how you asked or if it was the extreme which you highlighted. It is an interesting question for conservatives (and for liberals if we turn it to ask what and how do conservative views help).

Hopefully this thread continues and focuses more on what the OP asked.

 

[Stanyon]

I think the right's fantasy is to have no government at all. They want to return to the "wild west", which is, of course, an infantilized fantasy of the "wild west", where no one can tell them what they can do or not do. So that they would be free to become trillionaires, and to execute anyone they feel needs executing, imprison anyone that offends them, slander and humiliate anyone who's different, and so on. What they want is a child's fantasy of a totally selfish existence. They only want a military dictatorship in which each of them gets to be the lone dictator. Which is not possible in the real world. Nevertheless, they want still want it, and want it so badly that they're willing to destroy what we do have, to get it.

If we are going to play pretensies I want to be Ming, it seems wayyyyy cooler than dressing up as a cowboy plus it's not just the U.S. but the universe!

Pathetic Earthlings!

 

[YmirGF]

I don't think the notion that "liberals and Democrats have destroyed the country" is firmly based in reality. Sounds more like something you'd hear on Fox News or in a mental ward.

Heck, even this crusty old neo-Con would not be given to say liberals and Democrats have destroyed the country. Your country looks to be quite alive and kicking if you ask me. Is there mounds of rubble I'm not seeing?

What have the Democrats or liberals checked or balanced successfully in the last 30 years?

I seem to recall a fellow named Barack Obama and the Affordable Healthcare Act for starters...

 

[Revoltingest]

Hardly. And as you know full well, you do have other candidates for POTUS at every election, even if their actual chances are not remarkable.

Theoretically, we have other candidates, but they seldom garnar big percentages.
(I usually throw away my vote on one of them anyway.)
And when one did recently (Perot), he was as loopy as the rest.
So I say we need at least a real 3-way.

 

[Revoltingest]

Heck, even this crusty old neo-Con would not be given to say liberals and Democrats have destroyed the country. Your country looks to be quite alive and kicking if you as me. Is there mounds of rubble I'm not seeing?

Reminds me of the old Mark Twain quote.
So obvious as to be condescending were I to post it.