DEMOCRACY

[IntrepidWizard]

At about the time our original 13 states adopted their new constitution, in the year 1787, Alexander Tyler (a Scottish history professor at The University of Edinborough) had this to say about "The Fall of The Athenian Republic" some 2,000 years prior.

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits
from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the worlds greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, hasbeenabout200years.Duringthose200years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From Bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage."

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the most recent >Presidential election:
Population of counties won by:
Gore=127 million
Bush=143 million
Square miles of land won by:
Gore=580,000
Bush=2,2427,000
States won by:
Gore=19
Bush=29
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Gore=13.2
Bush=2.1

Professor Olson adds:
"In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the tax-paying citizens of this great country. Gore's territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off government welfare..."

Olson believes the U.S. is now somewhere between the "complacency and "apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy; with some 40 percent of the nation's population already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.

Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake in this Election Year and that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.

[magooch]

I'll be 62 next July.  I guess that's when I'll reach a certain degree of government dependency.  On the other hand, I paid a whole lot into Social Security, so until I at least get that back, I won't feel like I'm getting something for nothing.

[Rummer]

Tyler's thoughts on democracy were dead on.  That is why our founding fathers had the wisdom to organize our government as a REPUBLIC, not a DEMOCRACY.

Most people do not know that prior to the early 20th century senators were not popularly elected.  They were appointed by the Legislatures of the States to look out for the interests of the States.  After all, our federal govt was CREATED BY THE STATES.  Now we are at a point where the only control the states have over the federal govt is the electoral college.  That's it.

magooch:  I am sorry to tell you sir, that you are correct, you will reach a greater degree of govt dependency.  You are incorrect in thinking that you will be getting back what you paid in.  What you paid in has already been spent.  It was gone long ago.  You will be receiving the money that guys like me, and any children you may have, earned.
  I am not picking on you.  I don't fault you for working hard all your life and wanting back the money you paid in.  The fact is we would all have been better off if the government had never taken that money to begin with.
  In fact if we don't get the Social Security and Medicare monkeys off of our back it will lead to the economic ruination in our country.

Rummer

[magooch]

Rummer,
If I had my druthers, I would prefer that our Social Security system be a private investment system, but it isn't and I don't think it ever will be until sometime in the future when the present system ultimately begins to destruct.

The workers of today have a great opportunity to insulate themselves somewhat from the dependence on Social Security.  IRAs and 401 Ks are the best things that has happened for workers and the wise will take full advantage of these great programs.

I was lucky enough to participate in both IRAs and a 401 K for the last few years of my work.  I was also fortunate to work for a company that has a pretty decent pension plan.  When I said that I will be, to some degree dependant, I mean that only in the sense that I will look forward to the Social Security check as a sort of bonus.

[Major]

Here is something to think about.

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:



Q:  Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.



Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?

A: The Democratic party.



Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?

A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.



Q: Which party decided to give Social Security money to immigrants?

A: That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65 got SSI and Social Security. The Democratic Party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it.



Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you the Republicans want to take your Social Security.   And the worst part about it is, people believe it!

[williamlayton]

Tyler was, well, er just takin from what tha Lord God said from the begenning.
Blessings

[IntrepidWizard]

I am sure Bush will win legally.And if Kerry wins he has Bin Ladin bragging that Binny caused the Kerry elections the results will be devistating.

[maggot]

Intrepidwizard

We are in the "dependance to bondage" stage.
I feel we will be back in bondage in about 5 to 10 years.

[williamlayton]

We are in bondage---Just to the wrong person ( or thing, if you prefer ).
Blessings

[MATLOCK12C]

I really think we as a people are at the APATHY to DEPENDANCE stage now. :cry:
Most people just don't care, and are looking for an easy way out of a tight spot. The lure of a government program is that folk's call it free money. You and I know it's not, but people don't care about the price even they will someday have to pay.  :-)  As a sociaty we are almost programed to accept the "buy it on time" deal. :lol:   We  and our Politician's spend money we do not have yet, hoping we will get it somehow along the way.  :?  Both Washington and Greenspan are playing a big game of "musical chairs" with our future. When the music stops, a lot of good people are going to be lookin for a seat that is not there!