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| Is Our Political System Broken? | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 7 2006, 08:51 PM (226 Views) | |
| Rick Zimmer | Jul 7 2006, 08:51 PM Post #1 |
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Fulla-Carp
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On PBS this evening, Washington Week in Review had a special edition from the Aspen Ideas Festival, going on this week. Aspen Ideas Festival. Rather than do their normal review of Washington news, they focused the discussion on the topic "Is Our Political System Broken." Both those speaking and the questions from the audience were relatively pessimistic. I was surprised because, in my view, our political system may be in a period of staunch partisanship, but also a period of intense and passionate political debate on some very basic issues; debates in which much of the country and a large majority of our citizens are participating in one way or another. I would argue that there are four primary, on-going, and very important debates dealing with very basic issues going on in the United States right now that are extremely important. I think the sheer intensity of them and the number of people who are involved in them (some less and some more), and the various facets of our society who have entered the debates show the strength and vitality of the American political system. These would be: 1. The role of the United States in the world and specifically on the issue of war versus peace and the response to jihadist terrorim. 2. The role of religion in establishing national policies. 3. The role of the three branches of government, especially the role of the Federal Executive and the Federal Judiciary. 4. The proper place of civil liberties in the society. On a more immediate basis, I would argue that the current debate on immigration policy with Mexico -- with as high minded as it is at times and as ugly as it is at time -- represents the American political system at its best. I should point out that when I define the American political system, I define it as more than just the two parties or more than just the elected politcians, but rather a involves the citizenry in all its various forms (individuals, interest groups, etc) as well. I, for one, find the fact that these issues are even being debated, much less being debated with such intensity and throughout so many levels of our society and including so many people, to be a sign of strength in the US political system and a cause for great optimism for the future. At the same time, I found the question raised on Washington Week in Review intriguing and thought I would raise it here. How think you? Is the American political system broken? |
| [size=4]Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul -- Benedict XVI[/size] | |
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| JBryan | Jul 7 2006, 09:12 PM Post #2 |
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I am the grey one
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When Conservatives lose elections they just keep trying to sell their ideas. When Liberals lose elections the political system is broken. Illuminating |
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"Any man who would make an X rated movie should be forced to take his daughter to see it". - John Wayne There is a line we cross when we go from "I will believe it when I see it" to "I will see it when I believe it". Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody. Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore. From The Lion in Winter. | |
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| Rick Zimmer | Jul 7 2006, 09:20 PM Post #3 |
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Fulla-Carp
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Actually, I had hoped this thread would not degenerate into the typical conservative vs liberal debate with just glib comments. ::sigh:: |
| [size=4]Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul -- Benedict XVI[/size] | |
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| Jolly | Jul 8 2006, 03:43 AM Post #4 |
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Geaux Tigers!
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I don't think the system is broken. In fact the system is working pretty well, for the most part. Sure, the national debate about war & peace is not a new one, even in other times...if we just do a cursory look at our history, past debate in other wars has been far more rancorous and violent. Role of religion in the public square? It never left, but is just reasserting itself. Down here, in the midst of the Bible Belt, it doesn't seem to bother the secularlists too much, and you can still light a Wiccan bonfire in your backyard if you so desire. Tolerance does mean that the minority holds the majority hostage, however. Nowadays, the people who would have no religion in the public square are being pushed back, and that is as it should be...man cannot uncouple himself from his belief systems, and any society will reflect that through its laws. Branches of government? Way too much for the judicial, way too much...and I think we are at the cusp of a movement to clip their wings a mite. I also think we are not far from congress reasserting its rightful place in the big scheme of things. So yes, change is inevitable. The proper role of civil liberties in society? I think if you took an American from early in the 20th century he would absolutely be astounded by some of the current silliness with which we surround ourselves and call ourselves enlightened. |
| The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros | |
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| Mikhailoh | Jul 8 2006, 04:05 AM Post #5 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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I would say there are facets of our government that could certainly be improved. From my viewpoint number one would be the exceptionally partisan and rancorous character of politics on every level. Number two would be career politicians versus public servants. These issues exist in the Senate and at the level of township trustees. It would seem too many of our elected officials are committed to their own careers or viewpoints over the public good. As a result of this I, a lifelong Republican, will be voting for a (gasp) Democrat for governor this year. The GOP candidate was a Cincinnati city councilman when I lived in the city. I'm not sure I have ever seen more of a career politician than this guy. He got up on any soapbox he could to trumpet whatever message he thought people would listen to. He is now a 'deeply conservative African American'. The guy he selected as his lt. governor was a brand new township trustee in my neighborhood four short years ago. I had a number of dealings with him personally. He cut his term short to run for state legislature. Now he's cutting that term short to run for lt. gov. I wonder what he could have done in four years that qualify him to be lt. governor? Sad. The Dem candidate is a long time moderate congressman who has worked very hard for his district and is known as an honorable man. He'll get my vote. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Dewey | Jul 8 2006, 04:15 AM Post #6 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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"As a result of this I, a lifelong Republican, will be voting for a (gasp) Democrat for governor this year." Hah, same here, Mik. I can't say I actually dislike KB, I'm just more impressed with TS as a person of ability and character. I get the same word from friends who are (Republican) political muckety-mucks and who know them both personally. |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| John D'Oh | Jul 8 2006, 04:18 AM Post #7 |
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MAMIL
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As an outsider who should probably mind his own business, but is going to open his mouth anyway, I believe that there's too much money involved with Federal and State American politics. Election campaigns are ridiculously over-priced, and there's far too much sponsorship by 'interested parties'. We all know what the good books says regarding the love of money. As usual, I'm unfortunately not smart enough to suggest solutions, I'm just pointing out problems. :rolleyes: |
| What do you mean "we", have you got a mouse in your pocket? | |
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| Mikhailoh | Jul 8 2006, 04:19 AM Post #8 |
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
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Dewey, I'm a Betty Montgomery/JoAnn Davidson guy, perhaps because I know both of them. I would have been able to vote for Jim Petro too. I was sooooo disappointed in Blackwell winning. |
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Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball | |
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| Dewey | Jul 8 2006, 04:42 AM Post #9 |
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HOLY CARP!!!
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JoAnn Davidson was an amazing person (I say "was" in the political sense; I think she's still alive). She was a state representative in the district where my office was about fifteen years ago. I was in Rotary at the time, and she happened to be at a meeting - not speaking, just dropping in. She sat next to me at the luncheon, and I'm embarrassed to say I didn't have a clue who she was. We struck up a conversation, and I think I was more impressed with her than with any other politician I'd ever met. It was only later that I learned that she wasn't just any old politician, but a real power player. Impressive woman. In any case, to the original point: I think there's a distinction between whether our First Amendment right to free speech, and actually debating various issues, is broken; and whether the political process which is meant to take those discussions to a level of actually implementing actions regarding those viewpoints; is broken. |
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"By nature, i prefer brevity." - John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. 685. "Never waste your time trying to explain yourself to people who are committed to misunderstanding you." - Anonymous "Oh sure, every once in a while a turd floated by, but other than that it was just fine." - Joe A., 2011 I'll answer your other comments later, but my primary priority for the rest of the evening is to get drunk." - Klaus, 12/31/14 | |
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| Larry | Jul 8 2006, 05:19 AM Post #10 |
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Mmmmmmm, pie!
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That didn't "degenerate" the discussion - it pegged the main problem. |
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Of the Pokatwat Tribe | |
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| Nobody's Sock | Jul 8 2006, 07:06 AM Post #11 |
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Fulla-Carp
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"Number two would be career politicians versus public servants. These issues exist in the Senate and at the level of township trustees. It would seem too many of our elected officials are committed to their own careers or viewpoints over the public good. " HERE HERE!!!! And the financing these hacks get to make sure they keep their jobs and ensure that these financers get what they want even if it be contrary to the man's true constituents. |
| "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." | |
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11:09 AM Jul 11