terrysalmi
Member
Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Washburn University in Topeka, KS
Posts: 450 |
 Re: Re: A diverging viewpoint
quote:
Originally posted by ToolkiT
I agree with you, a 2 party system is only very litle more democratic than a 1 party system....
In the netherlands they have about 15 parties and people have some real choice from far left till far right...
That system isn't perfect either, but at least it is democracy as it was designed to..
The 15 party system does not work! Take the Israeli Knesset (Parliament in hebrew) for example, with the parliament system. The members and the Prime Minister are not voted for - the party is. Then, the highest ranking people in each party take the seats they win, w/ the highest ranking member in the majority(?) party takes the Prime Ministership. Usually, noone gets a clear majority, and a government coalition will have to be formed. This means making 'more' false promises, etc., just so you can take power and start to get things done. Often, one of the 4 or 5 member parties of the coalition gets angry and leave, and there is no longer a coalition. Then the process starts all over again. If a new coalition cannot be formed, then new elections must be held. This is why Israel has had about 4 elections in the past 5 years.
With the 'American' system, you can atleast vote for who represents 'you', instead of having to choose democrat or republican. You get to vote split-ticket (Republican for Congress, Democrat for Senate, etc.) if you want, and you don't have to be satisfied with the party's choices as congressman. It gives people with no political experience the chance to be in the Congress (Hey, it is the CITIZEN's GOVERNMENT!)
quote:
Yes, freedom of speech is a very important freedom but,
a) it is not unique to the US...
b) Acording to Terry only when you are american you opinion matters...
a) Freedom is not Unique to the U.S., but it is unique to Democratic governments. It is also THE most important freedom that the American people wanted when they recieved their independence. That is why after the Constitution was ratified, it was the VERY FIRST thing added to it.
b) No, your opinion only matters if you participate and actively vote in the American system of government. I could care less what Australians or Canadians think of the job our President is doing, because you don't have to live with his every action. We do.
quote:
AFAIK, terry's roots are jewish, like you said they are imigrants too (like 99% of americans)... isn't it ironic?
My great-grandfather on my father's side was an immigrant to America from Finland around the turn of the century, and on my mother's side, my Grandmother came to the United States when she was about 20 years old, as her family's sole survivor of the Nazi Holocaust. Her mother was killed by disease, while her father was gassed. (She was given an offer to buy her mother's ashes, but prisoners could not carry money). She survived 9 different Death Camps, including Bergen-Belsen and Auschwitz. (In fact, her birthday was 6 June). When she came to this country, she became heavily patriotic as this country saved her life, and never forgot it (and was an active Republican :-) ). Unfortunately, she passed away on May 1st of last year. My father converted to Judaism when he married my mother, and I have grown up Jewish (and is why I am so heavily pro-Israel). My Grandmother remembered that the American Red Cross saved her life, and was a lifelong volunteer. It made her extremely proud when my mom got a job with the Red Cross, and I became an active volunteer and donor (In 1999, I won the local chapter's Teen Volunteer of the Year Award). I am extremely proud of my heritage, and both sides of my family came to this country to find a better way of life, which they did. They came to this country legally, and completed their citizenship requirements proudly. When they were 'immigrants', they did not complain about the lack of welfare while they got a job of McDonalds while living on the street - they did something about it.
I have no interest in helping immigrants who have come to this country illegally, or have no interest in becoming citizens, while planning not to leave.
As a side note, my fathers side of the family is heavily democrat. My father, a retired LtCol in the US Air Force, broke the trend. When asked why he became Republican (shortly after moving out ), he said "he got educated."
quote:
The beauty of this country is that folks like terrysalami have the abolute right to say what he wants to say and support who he wishes to support. It also gives others like Septimus and tantousha the right to advocate a viewpoint contrary to his own
Exactly Right! This is the Freedom American's have. (It's a shame that so many people like Septimus voice the wrong side so much, though!  )
quote:
Try to study the issues a bit more before stating your case and you will win more arguments
It seems you have bought my arguments about the Kyoto treaty - You've all shut up about it all of a sudden. I'm just taking this one comment at a time. And funny enough, this was the fortune today on my Visor - it fits tantousha perfectly (no offense):
quote:
Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.
__________________
Friends don't let Friends vote Democrat
Victory 2002 - Republicans Win Control of the Senate
Now onto Victory 2004 - FOUR MORE YEARS
Last edited by terrysalmi on 06-11-2002 at 04:22 AM
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06-07-2002 03:49 AM
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