megalaser

But what is your point? Do you have one? You are arguing against democracy!

megalaser

If you honestly think that you have come up with a system that is better than freedom and democratic human rights then please enlighten us!

Swisstony

Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe.
No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

chartreuse

This is a very good example of the importance of meta context. The two posters above would appear to derive theirs from the output of the vested interests who stand to benefit from the charade that we call an election.

In this meta context, any criticism of the charade or the actors is an attack on democracy itself, because both are its embodiment. It's an old trick, but a clever one. Control the argument by controlling the meanings of the words.

Of course it fails if one's critical thinking skills are even somewhat developed, which is probably why the schools have been run into the ground...

megalaser

You so clever.

chartreuse

It's kind of you to say so but, given recent research on metacognitive awareness, I think I'd better get a second opinion before patting myself on the back.

lapin_windstar

This is a very black and white issue for you: Anyone who chooses not to vote is a "retard", stupid, backwards and an idiot. Democracy is choosing between two evils to govern over your daily life and an election every 4/5 years is the scope for participation. Criticism (or even critique) of the current system is arguing against democracy and human rights, advocating a dictatorship, and should move to Iran or Venezuela.

It's just such a shame you're 60 years too late to be a McCarthyite.

megalaser

Thanks for your opinion, it's interesting that you are using rhetoric to avoid the issue, you think analyzing me is more important than the issue, thank you for the compliment but your alternative to the democratic process is to not vote and thus have no say in who runs your government. You are arguing against free choice and for less rights.

chartreuse

And you're off your Lithium again, it would appear.

megalaser

Actually maybe my blunt comments earlier were a little insensitive to some, I understand there is a known medical condition that makes it difficult for the brain to make choices, I apologize for speaking so frankly to anyone who is suffering from this condition and becomes easily confused and thus finds it difficult to choose between various parties and candidates when it comes to voting. If anyone on this forum faces this challenge then of course it would explain the obvious irrationality of arguing against the right to vote.

lapin_windstar

You've obviously wound yourself up about this. Who are these people who are arguing against the right to vote, and where do they do that?

Swisstony

....actually, my post derives from Winston Churchill.....who, I suppose was an 'output of the vested interests in...' er whatever you said

I think he was right though.

lapin_windstar

I think he's probably not far off the mark either, much as it makes my skin crawl to agree with him (Churchill, not you, Swisstony).

chartreuse

Yeah, I'm familiar with the line and it was certainly true, at the time he said it. Whether he'd recognise the farce that we have today as democracy is another matter, of course.

beanzmeanzheinz

I have to say, for the first time since I was legally able to vote, that I actually haven't got a clue who to vote for.................I like the sinking the Houses of Parliament idea better!