New here...

[Pilate]

Hi, I guess I'd describe myself as kind of a refugee from another forum to which I cannot return. I enjoy cooking, reading, learning, consuming quality films, listening to music, watching law themed television shows, going on walks, and spending quiet time by myself. Politically speaking I have changed over the past year. I have become convinced that democracy, and its expansion through the expansion of voting rights or its expansion through its growth in other countries has been a total sham. I am of the opinion that the powers that be counted on it that the common man was stupid and so great in number that he could drown out any intelligent voices. Simply put, I think the elites have designed democracy to create conflict among the middle and lower classes so that we do not pay attention to them. They know that the average man is a fool and will consistently make the wrong decision ethically, and logically. To this end, I personally reject the concepts of individual liberty and natural born rights. Sorry, I tend to ramble a bit.

 

[BULLDOG]

Welcome. If you reject individual liberty and natural born rights, right wingers here will keep your dance card full. Hope you enjoy.

 

[Kat]

What DO you believe?

 

[Stasha_Sz]

Greetings, Pilate, hope you enjoy your stay here.
Most everyone here are good folks, albeit misguided sometimes, but do not let that get you down, after all, it could get worse:

 

[Two Thumbs]

Hi, I guess I'd describe myself as kind of a refugee from another forum to which I cannot return. I enjoy cooking, reading, learning, consuming quality films, listening to music, watching law themed television shows, going on walks, and spending quiet time by myself. Politically speaking I have changed over the past year. I have become convinced that democracy, and its expansion through the expansion of voting rights or its expansion through its growth in other countries has been a total sham. I am of the opinion that the powers that be counted on it that the common man was stupid and so great in number that he could drown out any intelligent voices. Simply put, I think the elites have designed democracy to create conflict among the middle and lower classes so that we do not pay attention to them. They know that the average man is a fool and will consistently make the wrong decision ethically, and logically. To this end, I personally reject the concepts of individual liberty and natural born rights. Sorry, I tend to ramble a bit.

and enjoy.

not sure why you don't want liberty and freedom b/c power players run everything.

 

[Mindful]

Quite a few of us are refugees en masse, from forums which have closed down for one reason or another.

Nothing stays the same.

This place us the most tolerant of the lot of them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Simply put, I think the elites have designed democracy to create conflict among the middle and lower classes so that we do not pay attention to them. They know that the average man is a fool and will consistently make the wrong decision ethically, and logically. To this end, I personally reject the concepts of individual liberty and natural born rights.

Pilate Going to study on your OP and hope to read some more of your meanderings before I make any rash decisions... Till then, best of luck...

 

[Pilate]

I probably should have explained more on how I believe government should be run. Ideally I believe that people could be allowed some democratic voting on a local level where they feel the impact of the decisions they make. A major gripe with democracy that I have is that there's very little in terms of accountability. I believe is was Joseph de Maistre, a Savoyard lawyer who said that "every country gets the government it deserves." This is especially true for democratic nations. But looking at our government, it would seem that the American people have made several extremely poor decisions. They have allowed corruption and nepotism to take root in the highest echelons of power. In a sense, they are just as guilty of putting the country in this situation as our elected officials are. In the simplest terms possible, I do not believe that the masses have good enough judgement to handle freedom or rights of any sort. Just look at the Internet. Boundless knowledge at our finger tips and yet some people can't tell me what the capital of Syria or China or Russia is. It astonishes me. All of mankind a greatest achievements have been made possibly through unity, teamwork, and co-operation. The individual, and the protection of the individuals rights have been a consistent and clear threat to the greater good of mankind. The citizens of this nation cannot unite and press forward into the future that we ought to achieve when we are kept squabbling and made to think of only me, myself, and I.

By the way, I also love world of Warcraft, James Bond, and the Napoleonic Wars. I'd like to thank everyone here for being so receptive and friendly.

 

[Iceweasel]

I probably should have explained more on how I believe government should be run. Ideally I believe that people could be allowed some democratic voting on a local level where they feel the impact of the decisions they make. A major gripe with democracy that I have is that there's very little in terms of accountability. I believe is was Joseph de Maistre, a Savoyard lawyer who said that "every country gets the government it deserves." This is especially true for democratic nations. But looking at our government, it would seem that the American people have made several extremely poor decisions. They have allowed corruption and nepotism to take root in the highest echelons of power. In a sense, they are just as guilty of putting the country in this situation as our elected officials are. In the simplest terms possible, I do not believe that the masses have good enough judgement to handle freedom or rights of any sort. Just look at the Internet. Boundless knowledge at our finger tips and yet some people can't tell me what the capital of Syria or China or Russia is. It astonishes me. All of mankind a greatest achievements have been made possibly through unity, teamwork, and co-operation. The individual, and the protection of the individuals rights have been a consistent and clear threat to the greater good of mankind. The citizens of this nation cannot unite and press forward into the future that we ought to achieve when we are kept squabbling and made to think of only me, myself, and I.

Welcome to the forum. You're a mixed bag, to be sure. The country is not a democracy, it's a republic. The founders knew that most people wouldn't or couldn't engage in daily politics. We elect representatives to do that for us and yes, we have elected some piss poor representatives. Propaganda plays a huge role and Americans are easy to manipulate. Offer them goodies and most will pull the lever for you.

As far as the bolded part, where did you get that from? Innovation often comes from competition and entrepreneurs driven to forge new paths and ways of doing things. Profit is often the motivation, not unity. We work together in society to better ourselves. Few do it to better others, those that say so are often lying. Sure, we hope it makes a difference but who would work knowing the primary beneficiary is someone unrelated to you?

 

[Pilate]

Entrepreneurs often receive funding from organizations and then require organization to put their inventions into action. Just think of the world's space programs. All those shuttles and sattelites don't go up at the behest of a single man, they're send up by scores of technicians and engineers and scientists and mathematicians. Even that constitution which so many hold dear was described by Madison as being the "offspring of many minds." Profit is a problem. The west is far too heavily motivated by profit for its own good and eventually it's going to bite us in the ass. Western nations are willing to put a price on anything, honor, culture, their way of life. Over the past few years, for example, Western Europe made the decision to put peace up for sale. Naturally, elected officials are responsible for this. And their voters should also be held accountable.

 

[Iceweasel]

Entrepreneurs often receive funding from organizations and then require organization to put their inventions into action. Just think of the world's space programs. All those shuttles and sattelites don't go up at the behest of a single man, they're send up by scores of technicians and engineers and scientists and mathematicians. Even that constitution which so many hold dear was described by Madison as being the "offspring of many minds." Profit is a problem. The west is far too heavily motivated by profit for its own good and eventually it's going to bite us in the ass. Western nations are willing to put a price on anything, honor, culture, their way of life. Over the past few years, for example, Western Europe made the decision to put peace up for sale. Naturally, elected officials are responsible for this. And their voters should also be held accountable.

I trust the profit motive more than power given to individuals. You are welcome to be a sheep but I've been in business for over thirty years. The profit motives keeps me competitive, innovative and busy.

I don't build rocket ships, neither do most people. Entrepreneurs often do get investments, not from "organizations" as you call them, but investors or businesses. Capitalism is what made the US number one but daily we see geniuses that think socialism led to our success. And more of it will yield even better results.

 

[Ridgerunner]

 

[Iceweasel]

View attachment 85789

He had a good lawn mowing business for a while there.

 

[sealybobo]

Hi, I guess I'd describe myself as kind of a refugee from another forum to which I cannot return. I enjoy cooking, reading, learning, consuming quality films, listening to music, watching law themed television shows, going on walks, and spending quiet time by myself. Politically speaking I have changed over the past year. I have become convinced that democracy, and its expansion through the expansion of voting rights or its expansion through its growth in other countries has been a total sham. I am of the opinion that the powers that be counted on it that the common man was stupid and so great in number that he could drown out any intelligent voices. Simply put, I think the elites have designed democracy to create conflict among the middle and lower classes so that we do not pay attention to them. They know that the average man is a fool and will consistently make the wrong decision ethically, and logically. To this end, I personally reject the concepts of individual liberty and natural born rights. Sorry, I tend to ramble a bit.

If everyone cared enough to vote things would get better but they've convinced enough of us it doesn't matter.

So I agree with you. Most people aren't that smart.

If poor people voted do you think they be as poor as they are now? Do you think all the profits would be going to the top?

Unions created a middle class the world had never seen before. But it wasn't easy unionizing. What do poor people have to do to unite? All they have to do is vote every 2 years