format_quote Originally Posted by
Woodrow
Our government in it's infinite wisdom has seen the value of keeping the country in a high alert staus.
Really? Are you saying the power of the government depends on the 'alert status'? That doesn't make sense, since the constitution defines those limits.
It enables them to enact various laws and policies to "protect" us from perceived threats. Sadly, it seems most of us are too conditioned to see that we the "common" people are rapidly loosing all rights that were guarnteed under the Constitution and the "Bill of Rights".
I agree with you that the Patriot Act is a disgrace. But one must not overstate the powers it gives. The police in the US still have more limits imposed than in most other democracies in the world, especially compared to other countries which have known terrorism in the past, like France. And do not forget that most of the provisions in the Patriot Act have a so-called sun-set date, meaning that they expire. Thats why there was such a big fuss about the Patriot Act II, in which the administration only got some of what they wanted.
The only reason why there is such a big fuss about it in the US is because the US has a very strong anti-government and civil liberties base, like the ACLU.
Reality check, the US is no longer a Government by the people and for the people. It is now a "factory" designed to promote the life style of the "elite" few; who are who we actually work for and die to protect. Our Government is now the heads of corporations and not the heads of state.
Please. This is not a 'reality check'. US citizens still have considerable protections, more so than in practically any countries in this world. Could you explain what you mean with it being 'a factory designed to promote the life style of the elite few'? Civil society is very strong in the US. Conservative pressure groups have considerable influence over politics.
How, many of us ever stop to see that 80% of this countries wealth is controlled by less then 10% of the population? America is rapidly loosing it's status as a democracy (if we ever were one) and becoming a Monarchy controlled by the corporate giants.
Democracy does not historically have anything to do with distribution of wealth. There were democracies long before there were welfare states. If you want more redistribution you'll have to go with social democrats. This is however not what the American citizens want, especially now that Conservatism is on the rise in the US, the idea of a big redistributing government is only losing appeal IMHO.
By and large Americans are only getting more prosperous, including those with lower incomes.
Median income (for average households) is rising and not falling, so the majority is definately becoming richer.
Today if a person is not a Millionaire by the age of 21 odds are he will never achieve wealth. Wealth has become something people are born into and is no longer a possibility to work for. The average person has little chance of ever progessing past mediocre comfort. Madison avenue directs us as to what we are to believe success is and establishes our needs then tells us if we are on the "right" path.
Mediocre comfort? 'The average person' in the US has a higher income than in any other country on this planet! What are you talking about? What more do you expect your country to do for you?
It is true that social mobility is slightly lower in the US compared to most European countries, but only slightly so. Either way your story about not having any chances if you are not a 'millionaire by 21' does not make sense. Social mobility has not decreased considerably since the 1970s.
The threat of Terrorism is one of the best things ever exploited to keep the American people in control. The Terrorists have won. A terrorist is not Muslim, Christian, Jew or any other religion. It is religion of it's own and it's object of worship is the control of people.
I don't understand, defining terrorism as a religion is kinda confusing ;). Either way, I think I agree with you on this. The threat of terrorism has been overblown. We need to take a deep breath and look at this rationally.