Text 7763, 63 rader
Skriven 2007-12-09 22:35:08 av Jeff Smith (1:14/5)
   Kommentar till text 7692 av Roger Nelson (1:3828/7.0)
Ärende: George W. Bush
======================
Hello Roger.

08 Dec 07 14:39, you wrote to me:

 RN> Jeff Smith wrote in a message to Michiel van der Vlist:

 MV>> One can not have it both ways: claim to be a democracy on the one
 MV>> hand and claim it is not the people who are responsible for the
 MV>> leader that acts in their name. Not voting out of apathy is
 MV>> making a choice just the same.

 RN> Michiel, we claim no such thing.  This is a Republic, not a Democracy,
 RN> but the difference can be problematic for those who don't fully grasp
 RN> the meaning.

 JS>>      Yes, not voting is a choice.  But not for who is chosen to
 JS>> hold the office. The choice is to express their discontent with
 JS>> the available candidates. And their desire to NOT show support
 JS>> for someone that they do not approve of. Others I think look at
 JS>> it from the point of view that they will make a choice and vote
 JS>> for the best person given the candidates that were chosen.

 RN> That is correct, Jeff, and too often we are faced with meager
 RN> candidates.  I'm quite sure that this country isn't the only one
 RN> facing such a dilemma.

     Part of the problem here is that some are prediposed to think
negatively about American politicians, the people who voted for them,
the process that chose them as candidates. American politics has
become more a matter of acting than a matter of what is best for this
country. It has been that way for some time now. Politicians put on
the face necessary to try to get people to believe what is desired. That
is not to say that politicians are ALL bad. I am sure that there is some
true desire for the good of our country. But not enough for me to put
much faith in their honesty. Look at our last national election and the
game playing that was involved.

    As a American at election time I have a choice to either vote for
the presidential candidate that I think is the best choice of those that
have been chosen as candidates. Or, I can choose to not vote if I don't
wish to support any of the chosen candidates. Am I neglecting my
responsibilities as an American if I choose not to vote?

    This country has many flaws which I think can also be said of just
about every other country. One thing that I don't have is the overpowering
urge to spend my time telling people of other countries how bad their
goverment is or their politicians or the people of that particular country.
I may not approve of a particular counties government. But how does that make
me qualified to start telling people of other counties just how bad their
country, it's government, or it's people are. I am thinking that for some
it is much easier to bitch about how bad someone else is or lives.


 RN> Regards,

 RN> Roger
 RN> --- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 RN>  * Origin: NCS BBS - Houma, LA - (985) 872-9448 (1:3828/7)

Jeff

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