What’s needed to stop an American dictatorship?

Discussion in 'Democracy' started by Balbus, Jun 11, 2020.

  1. Tishomingo

    Tishomingo Members

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    The problem is not so much the electoral college but the "winner take all" system which effectively disenfanchises the minority party within a state https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/09/10/winner-take-all-electoral-college-votes-unfair-unconstitutional-column/2264012001/. Wouldn't New York City, LA, and Chicago still dominate the electoral votes in their respective states, since the popular vote determines the winner in each state? And it's a matter of state law, not the constitution.

    I'll be voting in November, but I might as well stay home and redo my sock drawer, cuz my candidate doesn't have a snowballs chance of winning--Oklahoma being reddest of the red states. Twelve states are now part of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to award award their presidential electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote in a presidential election. Nebraska and Maine allocate the electoral votes they are entitled to in a semi- proportional manner. They assign two votes to the plurality winner, but allocate the others on the basis of congressional districts. I think that's a fairer system and should be adopted nationally, even though I still probably wouldn't have a chance of having my candidate elected in this state.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2020
  2. Flagme15

    Flagme15 Members

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    So they will be taking on the us military. Good luck with that.

    Why does 86% of the American population live in a city?
     
  3. Angelmama

    Angelmama Angel Lifetime Supporter

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    Convenience for some.
    For others it's just cheaper.
    I was born in Hartford CT but when my parents could afford to they bought a house in the country.
     
  4. unfocusedanakin

    unfocusedanakin The Archaic Revival Lifetime Supporter

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    The problem is a large percent of the military supports Trump and refuses to believe he said what he did. It's odd to me because my whole life anything less then military worship has upset Republicans and some soldiers themselves. If you question the wars they are in or don't give a 20% discount on their bill you must hate America. You have to support them 100% because America. Without them we would not even have the right to disagree so you are just a liberal failure. They have decided they own respect for troops but they put up with so much disrespect.

    Democrats tend to question war more but no one is angry at American soldiers. If anything we feel bad for them because of the wars we put them though I think. We respect them enough to not make them die for no reason.

    Nothing upsets Republicans more than the reality that the majority of the population is liberal. So they twist the definition of democracy around to say that some people matter more. Can you imagine if it was the other way around? LA and New York don't even have waiting periods for guns and wearing a hijab is illegal. But small rural hippie areas don't like that and somehow that is why Obama or Clinton were elected. Their tune would change and they would absolutely love a popular vote only system.
     
  5. unfocusedanakin

    unfocusedanakin The Archaic Revival Lifetime Supporter

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    Black Men with guns = Thugs
    Latino Men with guns = Gangs.
    Muslim Men with guns = Terrorist.
    White Men with guns = Militia that is to be respected as a a a part of freedom


    I wonder why the totally not racist Republican party would feel this way. There is no real evidence of a Democratic or socialist violence. Fox news works really hard to cherry pick but the reality is only Republicans want a war. The other side is simply willing to give them one. Ever since I was a child it's been right wing people angry and threatening violence. Always talking of the day when they would finally get to kill people. I've never heard that talk even in hardcore socialist circles. Like the type where they don't even want money and everyone can just have free housing and food.

    White Supremacists Top Terrorist Threats Within U.S., Wolf Says

    “White supremacist extremists, from a lethality standpoint over the last two years, particularly when you look at 2018 and 2019, are certainly the most persistent and lethal threat when we talk about domestic violent extremists,” said Chad Wolf, who has been heading the Department of Homeland Security in an acting capacity since late last year.


    The response is notable considering that Trump and Attorney General William Barr have sought to portray the nation as besieged by “left-wing” agitators fomenting violence in protests over racial injustice. After a series of attacks blamed on racism and bigotry in 2019, Trump told reporters that he doesn’t consider “white nationalism” to be a growing problem.
     
  6. newo

    newo Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    I wonder if Trump refuses to step down, will the Republicans support him?
     
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  7. Tyrsonswood

    Tyrsonswood Senior Moment Lifetime Supporter

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    Of course they will... "because it was rigged"
     
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  8. scratcho

    scratcho Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    Of course. Contrast their remarks when Merrick Garland was proposed by Obama and how they squirm and wiggle into their hypocritical positions on filling the open seat now. They will do and say anything to maintain right wing power. No scruples at all. No shame at all. I can even understand right wingers/ /conservatives adhering to their long held beliefs. But for THIS GUY?? They are really showing just how crooked the whole damn republican party is. One or two exceptions.
     
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  9. newo

    newo Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    And will other defeated Republicans refuse to step down? Senators, House Reps, Governors and Mayors, etc?
     
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  10. Flagme15

    Flagme15 Members

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    Nothing wrong with your parents moving to the country. I think my point was that some people who are born in rural areas like living that lifestyle because they don't have to be exposed to the problems that cities have, i.e. traffic, pollution, diversity, etc. Hence, there is no exposure to other facets of society.
     
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  11. stormountainman

    stormountainman Soy Un Truckero

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    Pam Bondi just said, "Rittenhouse is just a little boy who tried to protect his community."

    Also today I saw an article about the arrest of four White people in Iowa who have been arrested for killing and burning a Black man who's body was found burning in a ditch. Trump has very much awakened the Klan.
     
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  12. stormountainman

    stormountainman Soy Un Truckero

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    I like the country because my dog gets to run free.
     
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  13. Angelmama

    Angelmama Angel Lifetime Supporter

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    I liked the country house but the town we moved to, Rolland, CT, was all White people an3 I missed the diversity.
    The first time I went to school there was a total mind trip.
    I just thought, Where are all the Black kids?
    I grew up in a project and my old school was very diverse.
    It was normal to me. My parents raised me not to care about racial divides.
    When I was four I asked my dad why everyone wasn't the same color. He asked, "Do you notice that there are different colors of cats dogs and horses?"
    I said yes and he said,"That's because God loves variety. It's the same with people."
    I accept that as truth to this day.
    Thank you for commenting, but do know that I don't see diversity as a problem.
    It's a blessing.
     
  14. Angelmama

    Angelmama Angel Lifetime Supporter

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    Not here.
    Even though we are very rural dogs need to be leashed or fenced!
    Only cats run free!
     
  15. Tyrsonswood

    Tyrsonswood Senior Moment Lifetime Supporter

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    "Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very peaceful — there won't be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation." ~ Donald J. Trump

     
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  16. Angelmama

    Angelmama Angel Lifetime Supporter

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    Yeah yeah yeah...that's what Qbert here says.
    He says there are more Trump supporters (I call them "ye the sheeple') than there are members of all the branches of the military all together, and they will defend their new Emperor when the time comes.
    I said it was a bad time for Forrest to call the guys with the tanks losers and suckers!
     
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  17. Tishomingo

    Tishomingo Members

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    It's incredible that an American, no less the U.S. President, could make such a statement without more of a reaction. He seems to be preparing us for an unconstitutional power grab on his part. And he's given us hints of what will be in store after such a power grab: withholding resources to regions and groups who are not friendly to the regime. The United States stands out from other countries in the extent to which its patriotism and sense of national identity is rooted in a constitution and certain political principles or ideals: liberty, equality, rule of law, and republican (small "r") government. These seemed to be achievable by an institutional system that rested on a broad consensus and was embodied in a written constitution and supporting norms. And now this is challenged by a demagogue seeking to substitute personalism for these principles and norms. What will happen is anybody's guess, but if it happens, life in this country will no longer be the same. Unlike the nineteenth century Civil War, where the division was along regional lines--North versus South--this one will be more like the French and Russian Revolutions, or the genocidal conflict in Rwanda, based on social and ethnic divisions which cut across regional boundaries. Yes, there are the Red States and the Blue States, but each of those are internally divided into mutually hostile subgroups. If the Supreme Court is drawn into this battle on a partisan basis, it may lose its legitimacy. It's amazing to me how the participants seem to be drawn to this impending calamity like sailors to the rocks, mesmerized by the sirens' call of partisan hegemony.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2020
  18. Angelmama

    Angelmama Angel Lifetime Supporter

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    Donnie Do wrong plans to edit the Constitution severely, according to the Q folks
    Makes me feel like a prophetess for writing the satire piece
    DONALD VERSUS THE CONSTITUTION about two years ago.
     
  19. Flagme15

    Flagme15 Members

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    I agree with what you've said. My point of my post is that rural people, who have never left the farm, don't accept diversity because they've never experienced it. They see protests, and conservative media tells them that's a result of diversity.
     
  20. Angelmama

    Angelmama Angel Lifetime Supporter

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    Thanks for explaining. I'm glad you told me.
    I protested a lot from 13 until I was about 38.
    I am now in a wheelchair but back in the day...
    Once my son had a friend over and the boys were playing on our couch.
    Johnnie's friend looked behind thh6 couch to see several heavy cardboard and plywood squares.
    "What are those?" asked the kid.
    Johnnie looks and said,"Those are my mom's protest signs.."
    The visitor said,"What is she protesting?"
    Johnnie replied, "What have you got? If she doesn't like it she'll protest against it."
    Out of the mouths of babes

    .
    "
     
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