The end of democracy?

Question

Talking with a family member the other day who was reading a book about democracy cannot last more than 350 or 450 years because sooner or later one of the parties is going to appeal the the ignorant vote. Can we look at both dems and republicans that way? One thing I witness is the dems doing the "youtube" debate, falsely siding with minority america (acting as if the republicans/bush do not care for blacks (katrina) and they do), and they try to appeal to poor/non educated. And im not saying republicans don't have poor (rednecks) voting for them, but they don't try to appeal to them directly or indirectly. This is not everything I want to say or think, but I believe what I have said will be sufficient enough to strike up some good responses. Have a good one everyone.

momma: you say republicans use fear as a tool? because of the way and terrorists? i think the jihadist way is the tool of fear and it is used by radical muslims. but speaking of fear as a tool in our society, what do you call the scare tactics liberals use for the global warming hoax?

Geez everyone, you all have great thoughts, on both sides.

Answer 1

Think 1984. Pretty soon technology will advance far enough that the government will be able to control every aspect of our lives, and whichever party is in power at that time will become permanent rulers over us.

Answer 2

I think both parties have issues that are favored by all classes of people.

Example: You mention that Republicans don't appeal to "rednecks". But Republicans are the ones that are constantly fighting to allow Americans to own and carry guns. That seems like it would appeal to a majority of what you would consider the :redneck" community.

You also state that Republicans don't care for blacks and you site hurricane Katrina. The Mayor of New Orleans is a Democrat... what did he do? What did any of them do? It was an unfortunate natural disaster. With that kind of disaster there has to be a time of waiting just till it is safe to begin rescue operations.
The Republicans took the hit for the Democrats on that one then they appointed aid to help the families and provided free housing.

Personally it sounds like your views on Democrats and Republicans are a bit skewed.

As far as Democracy goes, Why would appealing to the ignorant vote be the end of Democracy?

One party has consistantly appealed to the ignorant...The Democrats. Where has it got them?

Answer 3

Well when you have Larry Flint putting up reward money for information and evidence of republicans who have sexual affairs, that is getting low. I say a democracy can last but it's going to take us to stop being so stupid and demand that the politicians begin delivering everything they promise once elected and not look over the things they say. We let them fill us full of bull then don't hold them accountable when they don't do what they say they will and use excesses like well it's hard to when....., yeah well if it was that easy someone would have already done it, so get you @ss working and get it done. We as American citizens are becoming to non-caring about what those elected don't do for this nation. We have got to demand it and not give in. If we fall because of stupid people then we are not that smart to begin with. So we need to figure out a way to hold them accountable to us, the citizens of the nation and not Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the labor unions, the environmentalists and so on. It's about time we get rid of them all and let new people come in from both parties and start getting this nation back on track!

Answer 4

Well, first, the Republicans may not use the technology like the Democrats, but they use fear instead. They frighten people into voting without actually finding out what the facts are. Fear is how Hitler came to power in Germany. His boogeyman was the Jews, something some people today still try to use. The current power structure has terrorists, and they tell us we must give up certain freedoms to be protected from them. I think democracy in America right now hangs very precariously in the balance. Which way it will tip depends on how many Americans still believe in the Bill of Rights.

Wish, your question was about why Democrats use one tactic and the Republicans don't. All I was saying was that both use tactics, just different ones. Sure jihadists use fear as a tactic. Doesn't apply to the question. As far as global warming, whether you believe in it or not, Democrats aren't going around saying "If you vote for Republicans, we'll all be on fire tomorrow." They say, "Changes must be made by ALL of us to save the PLANET", not just America.

Answer 5

Very interesting observation. I always knew from reading about it that the great civilizations of the past somehow come to an end but I never could figure out how it happens. Liberals will tell you that open, intelligent civilization gives way to the ignorant, blood thirsty, oppressive religious zealots. But I just think that is liberal anti-religious propaganda.

Your theory is the first time I have heard an intelligent alternative to the brainwashing...


And in response to Elana's answer - it's not about 'staying informed', its about educating the NOOBS that are growing up brainwashed and ignorant. Do you realize that in 2008 there will be kids voting for our president that were only ELEVEN YEARS OLD on 9/11/01??????????

Think about it!!

Answer 6

In "1984" Orwell wrote about the “meaningless words” that are endlessly repeated in the political arena. Words like “freedom,” “democracy,” and “justice,” Orwell explained, have been used so long their original meanings have been eviscerated. He also expressed that they were, “often used in a consciously dishonest way.” This is how (without precise meanings behind words) politicians can obscure reality and condition people to reflexively associate certain words with positive or negative perceptions. Democracy is not freedom; it is simply majoritarianism, which is inherently incompatible with real freedom. The words democracy and freedom are used interchangeably in modern political discourse, yet their true meanings are very different. In other words, unpleasant facts can be hidden behind purposely meaningless language. As a result, we have been conditioned to accept the word “democracy” as a synonym for freedom, and thus to believe that democracy is unquestionably good. Yet how many Americans know that the word “democracy” is found neither in the Constitution nor the Declaration of Independence, our very founding documents?

Answer 7

I dunno...I think it's an era we're going through. New technology of communication and the consolidation of that technology in the hands of a communication mafia have clearly screwed up the way that politicians can appeal to various flavors of prejudice. 'Fer instance...how many people am I going to influence with this post? Maybe a few...maybe none. If I had my own right wing radio show I could reach millions, but to get that show, among other things, I'd have to be a right wing bozo. I may still BE a bozo, but not that kind. To achieve some balance in the propaganda game there's a move afoot to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine. The 'winger are ballistic about that because that would disturb their lock on the public airways. One of the right wing talk show notwits, Mark LaVine said yesterday that he plans to sue anyone who even suggests such a change....shazam...is that scary or what? Still, there will be a general change...mainly because the reactionaries of the GOP have failed to produce results, and having failed, the audience for right wing clap-trap will eventually be more open to middle of the road discussion....so, 'democracy' is alive and well....as the man said...."#$%^ happens, but later on other @#$% happens!" Keep the faith!

Answer 8

Rudd will not be a puppet for the unions already the WA unions have said they would rather vote Liberal than for Rudd because they know that he will put a stop to the way they do business. We can vote Labour and still be against the bully boy unions maybe we need a Labour government to remind them they are working for us and not themselves.. At least then Australia wont be a puppet of the USA like we have been since Howard stuck his head firmly up George Bush's ****.

Answer 9

I'm sorry, I thought this question was going to be about Hillary.

But, it's not so,

to answer your question, without doubt the dems are making every effort to destroy this country and are doing it by incorporating the support of the underclasses by making false promises that will never be fulfilled. They have become like abused children - constantly coming back for more, wanting to believe those same promises will someday be realized, unable to recognize who their true tormentors are.

It is part of the dem plan to rob us all of our dignity, national pride and self respect one step at a time.

Answer 10

We've had appealing to the least informed of us for eons.

The problem now, I believe, is that so many people do not try to stay informed, so the portion of uninformed to informed grows.

It may be that any one Democracy is unlikely to last long, and the US may have come to the end of its course, but I don't see that there is a lot of experimental data saying just how long we can expect.