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Q: Why did President Jimmy Carter say "America is no longer a democracy"?
Why do you think a former President of America would say this?
Because it's been tamed into a techno-oligarchy where people have the illusion of free choice every now and then.
Now what does it have to do with this forum?
Have we transformed into an oligarchy or a plutocracy and is there really a difference? More importantly, does it matter what we call it? How can a real democracy be restored in America?
I would also disagree with your word "tamed" and would probably substitute "programmed", "dumbed - down", and /or "censored".
Hey EZ, you are on the wrong forum. This is a forum about all things Chinese. The American forum is somewhere else.
To answer your question: America is not a democracy and the founding fathers never intended for it to be. It is a republic, below is an explanation of the difference:
When Americans pledge allegiance to the “flag of the United States of America,” they uphold “the republic for which it stands.” A republic, as James Madison explains in Federalist 10, is a “government in which the scheme of representation takes place.” Unlike a democracy in which the citizens themselves pass laws, in a republic such as ours, citizens rule through the representatives they elect.
The Framers founded a republic because they recognized that mob rule could be just as great a threat to liberty as the rule of a king. Representation, Madison explains in Federalists 63, is “sometimes necessary as a defense to the people against their own temporary errors and delusions.” America’s constitutional framework thereby seeks to protect the people from the dangers of unchecked popular democracy. Representatives, who are supposed to be a cut above the rest, are entrusted with the legislative power. They, of course, remain ultimately accountable to the people who can vote them out office as they see fit.
EZ4ME2B:
You are apparently a fellow-American. You may want to read "The Hamilton Papers" before you put both feet into your mouth.
carter was a very embarrassing excuse for a president, hell i am from georgia and i dont tell anybody because of this jackass.
EZ4ME2B:
Jimmy was too nice of a guy to be a President. Presidents have to do and authorize a loy of shitty and dishonest/unethical things. Jimmy had issues with those duties. He was an ethical President, not a bad one.
Maybe it has to do with the fact that a common person cannot just run for president without first raising billions. It is not about the politics it is about the money you have to spend on promoting yourself.
And maybe the federal government has taken away too much freedom in the name of freedom. E.g. why is Snowden such a bad person?
Scandinavian:
and stuff like this http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2014/02/idaho-bill-would-allow-doctors-cops-etc-to-refuse-service-to-gay-people/
US Constitution violations:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/americas-five-criminals-in-the-u-s-the-gest...
For more on 'why Snowden is bad':
http://answers.echinacities.com/question/he-real-or-hes-plant
There's no 'Up-yours news' as of last two weeks. How did US frightened other countries to stop publishing reports from Snowden ?
In our world (China), 'The Guardian' is behind 'the firewall' since some 10 days ago. Is that coincidence?
Englteachted:
You really should get out more. The guardian is being blocked in China because they reported about the wealth of Chinese leaders that they keep overseas.
icnif77:
Block is not older than a week, or 10 days. I didn't know about report on China (and cause for blocking). I assumed, block relies to "US 'strong arm' the rest of the World on 'Snowden's leak' reporting…..". edit: 'True! you can get listing of websites reporting on 'Chinese elite wealth overseas' from GOOG! BuTT….can't open any without VPN!'
Hotwater:
I found "that" article on the Guardian quite interesting...something about shells, offshore, Caribbean, rich relatives....and as others have had to use a veepeennnn since.....though the app still works fine as it downloads from an obscure server! (I think)
In America , everyone is free to express their opinion without fear of punishment. I understand that it is difficult for you to understand because you are in fact Chinese. But that is his opinion and he has his own reasons. And I agree with him for my reasons.
Grumpy:
You must be drinking son. Bradley Manning, Edward Snowden, and Michael Hastings all tried to express their opinions and they were all punished. Bradley got 35 years in prison, Snowden is now a refugee, and Hastings was murdered. You need to watch less TV and do more reading. I suggest you start with "The Tatum Chronicles" written by a former CIA agent name Chip Tatum. Then you read a book by U.S. Army General Russell Bowen called "Immaculate Deception" Then come back and tell us about freedom of speech in America. Both of these authors are American citizens who tried to speak the truth according to their Constitutional Rights.
Englteachted:
Stealing secret documents is not the same as free speech. I admire and value what they did but they still broke the law. Stealing classified documents is not the same as simply talking about what is being done. Mouthpieces do not know facts and they do not know how to independently think. I support a pardon for each of them, but when you sign on to work with those agencies that is the first thing they tell you. And as a mouthpiece you should know, a few years ago a chinese traitor was caught leaking documents. Why aren't you speaking up for him?
hurrr durrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr amurrica is a constitutional republic. Who gives a damn what Jimmy Farter has to say?
icnif77:
Do you also 'leave your Chinese made electric heaters on when you are not in the house'
?
CharlieB:
Ok, I may be naive, but if I would leave the heater on while I am sleeping and it fails I could die. If I leave it on when I am away and it fails, an apartment owned by someone else might burn. If I had to choose between the two.....
It was just a kind information to the publc, that in reality decisions are done without involving the normal people, that lobbies decide where the state goes to and not the people. Same with us in Europe. Democracy is an illusion.
EZ4ME2B:
I agree. It is an illusion and a very god one. The magicians behind the illusion are the Wall Street bankters that launder all the money of the world. Google "Al Chalem murder, Enron" and educate yourself about American politics.
Still trying to understand why this - completely unrelated to China - question was not deleted.
bill8899:
America bashing finds support all over the world. You can do it anywhere in any weather and it requires no equipment! Not even a brain.
icnif77:
I think, you are wrong! This Q is related to China, because most of the posters are in China
. I'm expecting my ''Specialized' & 'Ultegra'' to 'enter' (by mail) Xinjiang.
icnif77:
I bought and asemble it 13Y ago in Cape Cod! 'Specialized' (carbon) frame & 'Ultegra' set-up. Enjoyed 'sailing' on A1A (S. Fl) & Nantucket.
7 kg in total! I'm shipping it from EU to 
Fukang.
bill8899:
Oh ... I see.
Well anyone who rides a Specialized Carbon with full Ultegra is, as a matter of irrefutable fact, cool.
icnif77:
'sailing boat on (2) wheels'
with 'fine watch clicking' sound.
bill8899:
I know I know don't make me cry! I sold a Guerciotti Carbon and a Colnago Master, both Campy. I'm crying now. What was I thinking? Can't find similar here for less than, what? 50000 RMB? At least ...
Rock on, dude!
Englteachted:
Because the admin clearly knows which posters are working for the Chinese govt. And they must allow them to be here . We as posters should make sure we post the complete facts to their half truths.
icnif77:
@engl: 'Is that ultimate truth about posting on public tread'?
If you want this thread deleted then you are in favor of censorship. And Censorship is exactly the the only thing that keeps America from becoming even more like China every time that it passes a new law that invades the privacy or restricts the freedom of American citizens. This thread has everything to do with China as much as America because our government back home accuses China of the very same things they are doing themselves. I am not proud or happy to say this. But as an American I am not going to lie or deny the reality that President Carter pointed out. And honestly, he knows a lot of inside information that we do not. I believe the man knows what he is talking about. Not since 1976 have more American been "unsatisfied" with our government in America. If you are an American, please be honest when you post here and say how you really feel. It is truly false patriotism when you defend your government even when they are wrong. True patriots try to fix what is wrong with their country. I am still grateful for all the things that are right with America.
Bradley Manning, Edward Snowden, and Michael Hastings all tried to exercise their Constitutional right to "freedom of speech" and they were all demonized and then severely punished. You need to watch less TV and do more reading. I suggest you start with "The Tatum Chronicles" written by a former CIA agent name Chip Tatum. Then you read a book by U.S. Army General Russell Bowen called "Immaculate Deception" Then come back and tell us about freedom of speech in America. Both of these authors are American citizens who tried to speak the truth according to their Constitutional Rights.
America is becoming more like China every year. It started with "The Patriot Act" and keeps getting worse - not better. This has me very worried for the future of my kids.
"Bradley Manning, Edward Snowden, and Michael Hastings all tried to exercise their Constitutional right to "freedom of speech"
You are a liar. They stole secret documents and that is why they are in trouble.
Don't worry China and North Korea will keep their place all to themselves
icnif77:
They 'stole' secret (violation of 'non-discloser') that State was (is) acting against Constitution? How is OP liar?
Englteachted:
They did not just steal documents showing that the govt was breaking the law. They stole documents relating to legitimate spying programs against other countries, documents relating to informants also documents relating to military planning. That is against the law. A non-disclosure agreement is a civil matter. Stealing classified data is a criminal matter. When you decide to join the military you are held to a different set of laws. If I decide to leave work tomorrow and never return, they would not hunt me down and throw me in prison. Please understand reality and not ideological BS.
Techtronix:
Cricket asked you a question and I am also curious to know about the documents you said were stolen by Hastings. Do you have a link you can share with us?
What documents did Michael Hastings steal? I heard he was a reporter about to break a big news story on the new CIA director when he died in a weird accident. I think Jimmy Carter probably knows a lot of things that we don't and for hism to say that, it worries me a lot.
Jimmy Carter probably said "America is no longer a democracy" because his mom stopped him eating peanut butter!
I guess you did not hear about any of these things and people?
* Edward Snowden
* Abu Ghraib
* CISPA Law
* Guantanamo Bay
* Secret Courts In America
* "Renditions"
* Bradley Manning
* Wikileaks
* War Crimes in Fallujah (Chemical Weapons)
I think President Carter probably spoke those words after thinking about all of the above. All of these thing are grossly unAmerican and surely not democratic in my opinion. Does anyone think the above reflects a democracy?
