NationStates Jolt Archive

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/vonbek/billboard1.jpg

Do you have a comment, or do you just receive royalties for every view of the image?

The image combined with the title of this topic itself is comment enough...

But every 'free' nation houses people that do not understand that 'freedom' is also a right given to those that do not agree with them, and that voicing criticism is often not being unpatriottic, but instead caring very much about the things their nation is supposed to stand for. As long as they are a minority the USA is still a free country/democracy. (but note that being a democracy according to the dictionary definition is not necessarily a good thing).

Do you have a comment, or do you just receive royalties for every view of the image?

fantastic post.

How would I recieve royalties for every view of the image Einstein? Please be so good as to explain how that works! How is a count of views going to be kept? What if there are two people looking at one screen? :rolleyes:

As for comment? Well if you look at the title of the thread and then the picture you might be able to recognise the title as the comment perhaps. Then again maybe not.

i would say that the usa is a democracy but only just. each state gets the same amount of votes in the electoral college but some are smaller so some peoples vote is worth more than others. this means that even if you lose the popular vote you can still become president. like bush. but im english so i dont care

The image combined with the title of this topic itself is comment enough...

But every 'free' nation houses people that do not understand that 'freedom' is also a right given to those that do not agree with them, and that voicing criticism is often not being unpatriottic, but instead caring very much about the things their nation is supposed to stand for. As long as they are a minority the USA is still a free country/democracy. (but note that being a democracy according to the dictionary definition is not necessarily a good thing).

Thanks

I would say that it is ones duty in a democracy to question ones 'rulers' at the very least. Afterall one cannot improve without criticism.

fantastic post.

How would I recieve royalties for every view of the image Einstein? Please be so good as to explain how that works! How is a count of views going to be kept? What if there are two people looking at one screen? :rolleyes:

As for comment? Well if you look at the title of the thread and then the picture you might be able to recognise the title as the comment perhaps. Then again maybe not.

I had understood that a democracy was a form of government selection whereby the people chose who was to rule them. Under this system it is normal to be able to express an opinion concerning how others should, in the view of the person or group expressing the opinion, use their choice. Given this, the answer to the title of the thread, combined with the image is yes. And the title is simply a question, with no opinion contained or implied. It may be that there is some subtlety of the phrase "America - A Democracy?" that I am missing. If so, please do me the favour of explaininfg this subtlety and how it works.

I had understood that a democracy was a form of government selection whereby the people chose who was to rule them. Under this system it is normal to be able to express an opinion concerning how others should, in the view of the person or group expressing the opinion, use their choice. Given this, the answer to the title of the thread, combined with the image is yes. And the title is simply a question, with no opinion contained or implied. It may be that there is some subtlety of the phrase "America - A Democracy?" that I am missing. If so, please do me the favour of explaininfg this subtlety and how it works.

Only if you tell me how to get royalties from the image dammit! :)

Democracy is not only about selection of leaders. It is also how to govern via legislation. If you cannot criticise one leaders then one is not aloowed to criticise the laws the leaders want to implement.

If you are not able to do that then are you living in a democracy?

I left this thread a bit open ended as I was interested in reactions btw....its a bad habit of mine!

Only if you tell me how to get royalties from the image dammit! :)
He's joking :rolleyes:

Democracy is not only about selection of leaders. It is also how to govern via legislation. If you cannot criticise one leaders then one is not aloowed to criticise the laws the leaders want to implement.

If you are not able to do that then are you living in a democracy?

I left this thread a bit open ended as I was interested in reactions btw....its a bad habit of mine!

How does that billboard prevent me from criticizing my leaders? I criticize George W. Bush all the time, but I'm also tired of misinformed foreigners who make a huge deal out of the idiotic "support our president" signs.

Only if you tell me how to get royalties from the image dammit! :)


Ifd I knew, I'd be doing it and not tell anyone else how to. (I'm selfish like that) :eek:

Please, someone tell me that image is faked somehow

Democracy is not only about selection of leaders. It is also how to govern via legislation. If you cannot criticise one leaders then one is not aloowed to criticise the laws the leaders want to implement.

If you are not able to do that then are you living in a democracy?


Sorry, but democracy is only about how you select your leaders. The rest of the stuff that normally comes with democracy, like freedom of speech and freedom of expression of ideas are not part of democracy itself.

You may disagree but both the USSR and China were and are repectively, technically democracies. They are not open, free democracies, but this is an ideal that does not exist. In the USA, or in the UK or in Brazil, all "free" democracies, you do not have a free choice of who to vote for. You can only select between those candidates that are in the system. (Actually in Brazil you could write in a name on the ballot, but they switched to an electronic system that eliminated this possibility). They are better than one party systems, but not free.

Oh, and the Bush supporters can say what they want to say. If you find it offensive, join the great american way of life, and sue them.

He's joking :rolleyes:

Really? Explains my smilie then doesn't it?



How does that billboard prevent me from criticizing my leaders? I criticize George W. Bush all the time, but I'm also tired of misinformed foreigners who make a huge deal out of the idiotic "support our president" signs.

How does that billboard prevent you from critiscising your leaders? Well in and of itself it does not. However the message it has does.

Oh...btw...misinformed foreigners?? Sorry but I might be living in a foreign coutnry but guess what....I carry a US passport. I just happen to work abroad.

If you think you are tired now just watch as you get closer to a Stalinist utopia powered by collectivised corporations. Do nothing. Just get 'tired of misinformed foreigners who make a huge deal out of the idiotic "support our president" signs'.

Are you also one of these 'you have to be christian to be conservative' types as well?

Sorry, but democracy is only about how you select your leaders. The rest of the stuff that normally comes with democracy, like freedom of speech and freedom of expression of ideas are not part of democracy itself.

You may disagree but both the USSR and China were and are repectively, technically democracies. They are not open, free democracies, but this is an ideal that does not exist. In the USA, or in the UK or in Brazil, all "free" democracies, you do not have a free choice of who to vote for. You can only select between those candidates that are in the system. (Actually in Brazil you could write in a name on the ballot, but they switched to an electronic system that eliminated this possibility). They are better than one party systems, but not free.

Oh, and the Bush supporters can say what they want to say. If you find it offensive, join the great american way of life, and sue them.

How true. One problem with this country is that we are always stuck with shitty candidates from two corrupt political parties that use public misinformation and financial resources to marginalize choice in this democracy. However, no "support the president" billboard will ever grow hands, sieze my ear, and drag me to the Thought Police. When I see such signs I just ignore them.

I'm English too and think the USA is more democratic than the UK.
We only have one elected house of representatives, we cannot vote for magistrates, judges, police chiefs, or mayors, or even the prime minister directly. Voting is not proportional (except NI I think? ) so less than a 50% vote can give a majority in parliament. I dont know if the 'Electoral College' system is considered proportional?

Anyway our basic democracy seems to work most of the time. But could do better maybe.

Support the troops, DON'T support Bush!

Rather support whomever would rather see the troops back home with their loving families, rather then fighting for the oil interests of people who take away their veteran's benefits. ;)

Sorry, but democracy is only about how you select your leaders. The rest of the stuff that normally comes with democracy, like freedom of speech and freedom of expression of ideas are not part of democracy itself.

You may disagree but both the USSR and China were and are repectively, technically democracies. They are not open, free democracies, but this is an ideal that does not exist. In the USA, or in the UK or in Brazil, all "free" democracies, you do not have a free choice of who to vote for. You can only select between those candidates that are in the system. (Actually in Brazil you could write in a name on the ballot, but they switched to an electronic system that eliminated this possibility). They are better than one party systems, but not free.

Oh, and the Bush supporters can say what they want to say. If you find it offensive, join the great american way of life, and sue them.

Why apologise for expressing yourself?

Good points if you look at the definition of democracy as being exclusively majority rule.

Also good points as to why you will never see 'none of the above' on a ballot paper!

America is a republic, not a democracy. We elect representatives from the general public, who then gather to make laws and generally run the country without further input from the citizenry. We have an occasional public referral, but by and large, the average citizen has only indirect say in the way the country is run.

"We pledge alliegance to the flag, and to the republic for which it stands..."

The freedoms and restrictions granted to the populace by this system have nothing to do with what kind of government is operating. There have been benevolent despots and kind-hearted monarchs. A rose, by any other name...

America is a republic, not a democracy. We elect representatives from the general public, who then gather to make laws and generally run the country without further input from the citizenry. We have an occasional public referral, but by and large, the average citizen has only indirect say in the way the country is run.

"We pledge alliegance to the flag, and to the republic for which it stands..."

The freedoms and restrictions granted to the populace by this system have nothing to do with what kind of government is operating. There have been benevolent despots and kind-hearted monarchs. A rose, by any other name...

Then why are there always umpteen propositions on the ballot papers?

Really? Explains my smilie then doesn't it?
In your first post you actually made a big deal out of his offhand comment.

How does that billboard prevent you from critiscising your leaders? Well in and of itself it does not. However the message it has does.
The message, the words "Quit second guessing," do NOT prevent me from doing anything. Just freaking ignore the message. It's not that hard to do. The Republicans have a right to spew their rhetoric.

Oh...btw...misinformed foreigners?? Sorry but I might be living in a foreign coutnry but guess what....I carry a US passport. I just happen to work abroad.

If you think you are tired now just watch as you get closer to a Stalinist utopia powered by collectivised corporations. Do nothing. Just get 'tired of misinformed foreigners who make a huge deal out of the idiotic "support our president" signs'.

Are you also one of these 'you have to be christian to be conservative' types as well?
Actually I hate George Bush and I hate God. But everyone has a right to say their stupid crap in this country. Most political advertising falls on deaf ears anyways because not many Americans are satisfied with the rigged political choice that they are given and which are advertised. If Stalinism ever comes to the US I'll just join an uprising or leave for Canada or Mexico.

Then why are there always umpteen propositions on the ballot papers?


"Occasional public referrals", I do believe I said. Many, many more laws get passed without ever seeing a public referral.

How true. One problem with this country is that we are always stuck with shitty candidates from two corrupt political parties that use public misinformation and financial resources to marginalize choice in this democracy. However, no "support the president" billboard will ever grow hands, sieze my ear, and drag me to the Thought Police. When I see such signs I just ignore them.
Exactly. Anyone not reasonably desensitized and cynical toward advertizing (and two-party politics) shouldn't be voting at all.

I am saddened by this thread.

Here you have a billboard that is basically saying that there should not be free speech and you people seem to be completely oblivious to it.

If this is the kind of 'democracy' you are exporting to the Middle East...well I am sure that at least some here can connect the dots...