| Presidential campaign and candidates |    |
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Abe F. March
Five Star Member
Age : 69
Joined : 26 Jan 2008
Posts : 1170
Location : Germany
 |  Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates  Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:19 am | |
| Pam,
there are better systems of government in my view - at least more practical. Where I live now, there are six parties. Voting gives a certain number of seats in parliment. And a party must have a certain number of seats to win. Therefore there are coalitions formed in order to win. That is good since the views of both parties to the coalition must prevail in governing.
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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch |
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william
Age : 52
Joined : 11 Jan 2008
Posts : 15
Location : Gilmer, TX
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:04 pm | |
| | Abe F. March wrote: | | Where I live now, there are six parties. |
I lived in Germany for nearly five years. Granted that was 25 years ago, but the governmental system (from what I know) has changed little in that time (if you discount the fact that the two Germanys are now one) and I could find little to complain about the German system when I was there.
I've found, however, that in the US if you try to introduce something that isn't from us, you immediately run into opposition. Often the mindset is that if it ain't us, it ain't right. Additionally, the mere concept of change frightens many people; never mind that the current system is flawed--heaven forbid that something new and different might be implemented. Health care in the US is a prime example. That system is so broken, it's a wonder we don't have people dropping dead in the streets. Oh... that's right... we do have people dropping dead in the streets. Still, it has to be their own fault that they couldn't afford health care. But that's a different issue, worthy of its own thread.
A third (or fourth) party can rise to a position where it can be effective. However, it has to begin locally and remain there until such time as it has established a firm base. But for that to happen "people" have to participate in the system.
In my previous post, my main point was that such a small portion of the population participates in the system, it is destine to fail. Large groups of people must do more than just voice their discontent. They must take action. They must actively participate if they're going to be more than just a "voice in the wilderness".
Protests and street marches serve a purpose only when those protesting don't have a voice. For those people who have a voice, protests are a waist of time and energy. There are far better ways to disseminate information. As well, "spreading the word" is no longer the problem. The problem, now, is motivating people to act. Motivate enough people and change can happen.
Unfortunately, as I also stated in my other post, I don't have an answer to that problem. I don't know how to motivate enough people, to sufficient levels, that they will act. As sad as it may be, I believe it's always easier to do nothing than it is to do something. I fear the bulk of our population suffers from that malady. If that's the case, maybe "they" do deserve the president "they" got. The down side is that the rest of us have to suffer the same fate.
Be well,
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William Butler
Author of I Remember Tomorrow
http://iremembertomorrow.com |
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zadaconnaway
Five Star Member
Age : 60
Joined : 16 Jan 2008
Posts : 1885
Location : Washington, USA
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:05 pm | |
| Is the B-B-Q hot yet? 
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0
http://www.zadaconnaway.com/ |
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Pam
Five Star Member
Age : 42
Joined : 01 Feb 2008
Posts : 1317
Location : Nova Scotia, Canada
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:18 pm | |
| You bet it is Zada - I fired it up tonight.
William it is a sad reflection of people's apathy that they can refuse to get involved (I mean, it's not like voting would be a hardship for most people), but I think that you and Abe are right, and that people are so frustrated months before an election that they can more easily - and with great empathy from friends and family - throw up their hands and say "what's the point?"
Sadly there are no easy answers, especially at this time of night. Think I'll hit the sack and sleep on it...
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Pam Robertson 
http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com |
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Abe F. March
Five Star Member
Age : 69
Joined : 26 Jan 2008
Posts : 1170
Location : Germany
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:17 pm | |
| William, Zada, Pam,
I think we're all on the same page here.
William did touch on a sensitive point. For America to change, it must be their idea. Health care as he pointed out is a good example. The european system works well and everyone is insured. But since that concept did not originate with us as Americans, it therefore cannot work for us. It would cripple our system of health care that is designed to make money - not care for the sick.
The same concept is true with systems of government. Our system is the best. We are the creaters of democracy and it has to work the way we designed it.
The system of voting is broke and needs to be fixed.
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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch |
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Shelagh
Admin
Joined : 11 Jan 2008
Posts : 2021
Location : UK
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:50 pm | |
| | Abe F. March wrote: | We are the creaters of democracy and it has to work the way we designed it.
The system of voting is broke and needs to be fixed. |
Engish was good enough for Jesus and democracy was created by Americans! The word democracy is Greek:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/greeks/greekdemocracy_01.shtml
Americans speak the English language and claim it as their own. They practise democracy, and claim it as their own.
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/ |
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Abe F. March
Five Star Member
Age : 69
Joined : 26 Jan 2008
Posts : 1170
Location : Germany
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:55 am | |
| Shelagh,
Now you have me laughing too. Yes, many believe that democracy was an American creation. Perhaps sarcasm is a good way to handle some of these issues.
On another forum which I shall not mention, I had pointed out certain flaws in our thinking and was challenged with "if you hate America so much, why don't you just leave?" I could have said, "I did!" But that may have branded me erroneously.
There are many citizens who simply don't want to hear anything negative about America. To do so is unpatriotic in their view. In actual fact, when one likes someone or something, they will criticize to help make it better. Those who simply don't give a damm, won't say anything. Only a friend will tell you when you have bad breath and that is not understood by many. These same people talk about freedom of speech. I suppose you are free to say anything so long as it agrees with their view.
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"To Beirut and Back"
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Shelagh
Admin
Joined : 11 Jan 2008
Posts : 2021
Location : UK
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:57 am | |
| I always did have a highly developed, warped sense of humour (English spelling!) 
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Shelagh Watkins
http://shelaghwatkins.co.uk/ |
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Abe F. March
Five Star Member
Age : 69
Joined : 26 Jan 2008
Posts : 1170
Location : Germany
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:06 am | |
| Speaking of the English spelling. When I did the first spell check on my manuscript, I used the British English spell check version. I had to redo it with American English since the first feedback was a grammar spelling issue. There are certain words that do have a variation of spelling between American and British. When I read something with the spelling variation it is a tip-off as to the writer or the origin of publication.
Now I see we're way off the subject of the thread. Guess I'll have to declare it. 
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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch |
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Pam
Five Star Member
Age : 42
Joined : 01 Feb 2008
Posts : 1317
Location : Nova Scotia, Canada
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:14 am | |
| LOL Abe - it's nice to know (in the virtual sense) a fellow who can admit he's a thread hijacker!
I currently live in the first Canadian province to have had a democratically elected government...and they sat in parliament a whopping 16 days last year. There's trouble everywhere... 
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Pam Robertson
http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com |
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zadaconnaway
Five Star Member
Age : 60
Joined : 16 Jan 2008
Posts : 1885
Location : Washington, USA
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:54 am | |
| It is so true, American English is a far cry from English English. Hmmm ... Is that a legitimate sentence? As far as democracy goes, I have no idea where it came from, but I do take a certain amount of pride in our American Democracy, even though it is in a bit of a twitch these days. Maybe I need to go back to school. Although England has a Queen, isn't the English system somewhat a democracy in essence? Heck, what do I know?
I think someone needs to inject some patience, common sense and intelligence into the leaders of the world.
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0
http://www.zadaconnaway.com/ |
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Abe F. March
Five Star Member
Age : 69
Joined : 26 Jan 2008
Posts : 1170
Location : Germany
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:02 am | |
| Zada,
As Shelagh pointed out, Democracy was created in Greece. That said, they didn't seem to use it well in the past century.
As far as England's form of government is concerned, I'll let Shelagh handle that one.
Zada, I compliment you on asking questions. Many people who don't know something are afraid to ask thinking it might make them look foolish. The people who learn the most, ask the most questions. 
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"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch |
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zadaconnaway
Five Star Member
Age : 60
Joined : 16 Jan 2008
Posts : 1885
Location : Washington, USA
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:20 am | |
| Thank you Abe. I figure that the best place to ask questions is among friends. They already know if I am foolish!
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0
http://www.zadaconnaway.com/ |
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zadaconnaway
Five Star Member
Age : 60
Joined : 16 Jan 2008
Posts : 1885
Location : Washington, USA
| | Subject: Re: Presidential campaign and candidates Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:30 am | |
| I think Abe and William should run for office! You both share some great insights here. More than one party? Heaven forbid!
It seems to me that on previous ballots there have been several different parties listed, but it appears that the American public in general is afraid to go outside their chosen party to seek answers. Or do they just want to be able to say that they voted for the winner.
Results should not be announced until the day after the election in my opinion. That one day could keep folks from changing their mind to go with the popular candidate at the last minute in my opinion. What a mess we are in.
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Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0
http://www.zadaconnaway.com/ |
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lin
Four Star Member
Joined : 20 Mar 2008
Posts : 757
Location : Mexico
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