The US is not a democracy but an oligarchy, study concludes

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Apr 19th 2014, 6:03 pm

#16

Pulaski

Joined: Dec 2001

Location: Dixie, ex UK

Posts: 52,447

Re: The US is not a democracy but an oligarchy, study concludes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boiler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pulaski

.... All we need to do now is teach him how to quote a post from another BEer.

Probably best to PM me.

Apr 22nd 2014, 12:20 am

#17

Steve_

Grumpy Know-it-all

Joined: Jul 2010

Location: Calgary, Alberta

Posts: 8,928

Re: The US is not a democracy but an oligarchy, study concludes

Quote:

"The central point that emerges from our research is that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on US government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence,”

Hmm, well the AARP and the NRA are "mass-based interest groups" and they seem to be pretty successful.

Apr 22nd 2014, 10:16 am

#18

scot47

Lost in BE Cyberspace

Joined: Nov 2012

Location: bute

Posts: 9,740

Re: The US is not a democracy but an oligarchy, study concludes

Even THINKING this is un-Murkan and could get you tarred and feathered.

Apr 22nd 2014, 12:42 pm

#19

Pulaski

Joined: Dec 2001

Location: Dixie, ex UK

Posts: 52,447

Re: The US is not a democracy but an oligarchy, study concludes

Quote:

Originally Posted by scot47

Even THINKING this is un-Murkan and could get you tarred and feathered.

In this context, is "tarring and feathering" protected free speech, or a hate crime?

Apr 22nd 2014, 2:05 pm

#20

scot47

Lost in BE Cyberspace

Joined: Nov 2012

Location: bute

Posts: 9,740

Re: The US is not a democracy but an oligarchy, study concludes

It is way of ensuring that speech is truly free and that un-Murkan views are not tolerated !

Aug 26th 2014, 9:00 am

#21

NigelWaring

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Joined: Mar 2008

Location: 60 Kms north of Sydney

Posts: 553

NigelWaring has a reputation beyond repute

Re: The US is not a democracy but an oligarchy, study concludes

Switzerland is the only democracy that I know of, all the rest are two party systems that co-operate to keep others out.

Aug 26th 2014, 8:07 pm

#22

Lothianlad

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Joined: Apr 2004

Location: CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, England

Posts: 1,494

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Re: The US is not a democracy but an oligarchy, study concludes

Quote:

Originally Posted by NigelWaring

Switzerland is the only democracy that I know of, all the rest are two party systems that co-operate to keep others out.

I've been to Switzerland three times (friends near Berne) - it is the epitome of democracy...the public there are given the right to vote on just about any political or domestic issue likely to affect domestic life there - the Swiss must be the most seasoned visitors to polling stations than any other nationality on earth.

Spotlessly neat and clean and efficient and law abiding....nobody crosses the street if no green light is showing even when no passing vehicle is in sight.....everything works like their cuckoo clocks...like their trains. Prosperity reigns all over and it shows.

The scenery is breathtaking as you all know....all is serene and peaceful.....but social problems are not unknown, such as drug addicts in some of the towns.

A lovely country in which to live....BUT....nothing ever seems to happen there.....a paradise of prosperity it may but to the average British person quite boring as well.

To me Switzerland is a great country to visit....but not to live in permanently.

I'd rather live in Gloucester.