We knew it all along, right?

[elchivito]

The U.S. is an oligarchy, NOT a democracy. At least according to one study.

"Despite the seemingly strong empirical support in previous studies for theories of majoritarian democracy, our analyses suggest that majorities of the American public actually have little influence over the policies our government adopts. Americans do enjoy many features central to democratic governance, such as regular elections, freedom of speech and association, and a widespread (if still contested) franchise. But, ..." and then they go on to say, it's not true, and that, "America's claims to being a democratic society are seriously threatened" by the findings in this, the first-ever comprehensive scientific study of the subject, which shows that there is instead "the nearly total failure of 'median voter' and other Majoritarian Electoral Democracy theories [of America]. When the preferences of economic elites and the stands of organized interest groups are controlled for, the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy."
US Is an Oligarchy Not a Democracy, says Scientific Study | Common Dreams

[Botnst]

We need a law.

[John Galt]

The government is run by the people who contribute the most tax revenue, directly through their highly paid lobbyists and lawyers.

Elections are little more than high-priced circus-act popularity contests to give the voters the illusion of 'democracy'.
It's merely selecting the most popular pigs to sit at the trough.

[Dudesky]

It never was a democracy, always been a representative republic.

Your source is about as left as one get without crushing Obama. Nice pro Marxist/socialist anti American rag hidden behind the progressive word.

If you make radical references against Tea Party activists, you should take a step back.

http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.asp?grpid=6887

Qualifies as biased BTW.

[John Galt]

Originally Posted by Dudesky

.... always been a representative republic. ...

In theory perhaps, at the beginning. Now elections are just a popularity contest, while the people with the most wealth run the country.

[elchivito]

Originally Posted by Dudesky

It never was a democracy, always been a representative republic.

Your source is about as left as one get without crushing Obama. Nice pro Marxist/socialist anti American rag hidden behind the progressive word.

If you make radical references against Tea Party activists, you should take a step back.

http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/printgroupProfile.asp?grpid=6887

Qualifies as biased BTW.

The source is leftish no doubt. What about the study? Anything you materially disagree with in it?

[elchivito]

Originally Posted by Dudesky

It never was a democracy, always been a representative republic.

No argument there. I'm thinking the results of the study point to the fact that it's no longer one of THOSE either.

[Dudesky]

Originally Posted by elchivito

The source is leftish no doubt. What about the study? Anything you materially disagree with in it?

I'd have to say the electorate gave it up.

One example is passing it so you can see whats in it.... shows where they think we're at......and at the same time bills aren't put up within the required time frame so the electorate can voice opinion...that stuff got real out of hand after 2008 and the electorate voiced their opinion in 2010.

Question is, can we get it back?

So they just pass another entitlement to keep them happy and shut them up.

El, its on US.

[elchivito]

Since when does the "electorate" vote on bills?
Pretty sure if that were the case we WOULD be a democracy.

So for you it all started in 2008?

[Hatterasguy]

Sounds about right, the moneyed liberal elite rammed the Safe Act threw NY and in CT we got our own moron law.

Unless you go to the $10k a plate dinners you don't have much of a say.

[Dudesky]

Originally Posted by elchivito

Since when does the "electorate" vote on bills?
Pretty sure if that were the case we WOULD be a democracy.

So for you it all started in 2008?

No I wouldn't say that.....

Here's how the electorate votes on bills....they read it, get informed and notify their legislators and then the legislator deals with it. Thats the way it is supposed to work.....

All I can tell you is the crap that Pelosi and Reid have pulled not letting bills be posted to avoid the backlash and vote sway from the electorate is a disgrace. Has the other side done it, I wouldn't be surprised....to that effect I hope not. All those moves is what started the voter backlash that got the TP going and angry citizens to the town halls in this administration.

I hope it keeps up.

[Botnst]

When in this nations history have the rich not ruled? Or any other nation's history?

It pays to be rich. It sucks to be poor.

[Dudesky]

Originally Posted by Botnst

When in this nations history have the rich not ruled? Or any other nation's history?

It pays to be rich. It sucks to be poor.

Lately, its quite cozy.....