> > Democracy is defined as the power of the people. Considering
   > whence it
   > > comes from (Ancient Greek slave-holding State-Cities) the 'people' do
   > > not necessarily mean what you think ;-)
   >
   > I've heard it argued (and I agree) that all civilizations are at heart
   > democratic.
   > Power only exists with the consent of the ruled.
   >
   > If you disagree, see the French Revolution, the American
   > Revolution, the
   > Boxer Rebellion, the Bolshevik Revolution, and many, many others.
   >

Pure Democracy, otherwise known as "majority rule" is something
to be mightily feared by people who appreciate individual
freedoms such as we have in the US.  In a democracy, the
majority can vote to take away your right to life, liberty
or the pursuit of happiness.  In a government of law (which
the US mostly still is), this generally doesn't happen due to
safeguards such as the Bill of Rights, three separate but equal
branches of government, etc.

Our form of government, however, doesn't stop such idiocies as
sending large chunks of money to Africa knowing that the corrupt
governments and warlords there will steal most of it and the
people will still starve.  And to top it off, the G8 was discussing
this matter while the (probably) Islamic terrorists were trying to kill
yet some more westerners.  Does the phrase "fiddle while Rome burns"
seem to fit the occasion?


All Your Bucks Are Belong To US Govt

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