world peace and democracy

[Athena]

This may not be the right forum for this, but is the only one not domenated by the US and this needs to be a world wide debate, not just a US debate.

Religion divides people and has been the cause of many wars. Democracy unites people, because ideally everyone is equal and what rules in reason, not faith and not God's favorite people. Democracy is not something to force on others. It is away of sharing the planet with others. It means we all come to the table and talk and talk until there is a consensus on the best reasoning. Decmoracy is rule by reason, not authority over the people.

[Old Corps Gunny]

"Democracy" means "one person, one vote" which is not the same as saying reason or logic prevails. The implication is that the majority gets its way; i.e., what is most popular, not necessarily right. By the way, how does any legislation adopted by the majority get enforced if those opposed to that legislation refuse to accept it if there is no authority?

[Athena]

"Democracy" means "one person, one vote" which is not the same as saying reason or logic prevails.Â*Â*The implication is that the majority gets its way; i.e., what is most popular, not necessarily right.Â*Â*By the way, how does any legislation adopted by the majority get enforced if those opposed to that legislation refuse to accept it if there is no authority?Â*Â*


I think if you study the history of democracy, you will have a different understanding of it.Â*Â*

It is best to learn of Athens but we can short cut by going to the Roman
Cicero.Â*Â*

"True law is right reason in agreement with nature; it is of
universal application, unchanging and everlasting; it summons
to duty by its commands, and averts from wrong doing by its
prohibitions.Â*Â*And it does not lay its commands or
prohibitions upon good men in vain, though neither have any
effect on the wicked.Â*Â*It is a sin to try to alter this law,
nor is it allowable to attempt to repeal any part of it, and it
is impossible to abolish it entirely.Â*Â*We cannot be freed
from its obligations by senate or people, and we need not
look outside ourselves for an expounder or interpreter of it.
And there will not be different laws at Rome and at Athens,
or different laws now and in the future, but one eternal
and unchangeable law will be valued for all nations and all
times, and there will be one master and ruler, that is, God,
over us all, for he is the author of this law, its
promulgator, and its enforcing judge.
Whoever is disobedient is fleeing from himself and denying
his human nature, and by reason of this very fact he will
suffer the worst penalties, even if he escapes what is
commonly considered punishment."

The answer to your question is, educate the people.Â*Â*Liberal education prepares people for democracy, and the USA replaced this education with education for technology for military and industrial purpose. Except for purscuting the Jews the USA is now almost identical to the German enemy they destroyed in two world wars.Â*Â*Without education for democracy, no one knows how laws are enforced with authority.Â*Â*This is a sad thing, and the USA no longer stands for democracy, but is as authoritarian as its enemy.

[Anti-Racism]

"Democracy" means "one person, one vote" which is not the same as saying reason or logic prevails. The implication is that the majority gets its way; i.e., what is most popular, not necessarily right.


This seems very perceptive to me. I don't think people should be able to walk into a pet store and buy any animal, or breed recklessly, or even vote, unless they demonstrate competence.

[firefox]

Good luck with that though, Racism! :D The problem, though, is who gets to decide who is "competent" and who isn't? They said that blacks were incompetent back in the day, and women as well...

[Anti-Racism]

Good luck with that though, Racism! :D The problem, though, is who gets to decide who is "competent" and who isn't? They said that blacks were incompetent back in the day, and women as well...


Well, honestly, it doesn't matter. If we find some way, even if imperfect, of picking the smarter people to lead, it will be better for everyone even if they're not represented.

[firefox]

Perhaps, but I wouldn't really consider politicians "leaders", would you? That has the implication that they're somehow worthy of respect. :)

[Anti-Racism]

Agreed. I'm not sure I'd consider politics "leadership" either. I distrust systems based on popularity, since I know from experience that most people prefer illusion.

[firefox]

Yes, and don't forget the initiation of force.

[Anti-Racism]

Yes, and don't forget the initiation of force.


Crowds are the easiest to convince to go to war. "That guy is EVIL!" and it's off to the races.

[firefox]

Pretty much. They have short attention spans for this usually, but if you're enough of an evil genius, that's all it takes, right?

[Anti-Racism]

Are you saying our president is an evil genius?

[firefox]

No, but at least he's smart enough to seek out those who are.

[Anti-Racism]

No, but at least he's smart enough to seek out those who are.


Karl Rove, evil genius?

[firefox]

Yeah, him and probably dozens of other people. It takes a whole army of peons to do these kinds of things you know.

[Anti-Racism]

Or just one wrecked values system...