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pan6467 · 03-19-2004, 07:51 AM

Taking the total neutral outside look and looking in at our country and how it is run, I have a few questions and an observation or two.

What is a Democratic Republic (which is what we are)? I don't mean literally but I mean what does it mean to you personally, politics aside?

Does it mean blindly following your leader? Does it mean you have the right to question your leader?

How much power should the government have and what should it and what should it not be allowed to do?

How do we go about getting the country to where the majority can help the minority without prejudice and without infringing on rights?

Who should have more power over "moral laws" the nation, the state or the community?

Finally, why do you hate or dislike the other side (left or right) so much if both sidesa truly are working for the betterment of the country?

To me a D.R. is a way to make sure that the minority is heard and that all citizens have equal rights and that those rights are protected without prejudice and are protected. To me it means the leaders should be mature enough to admit mistakes and yet, humble enough to not take sole credit for the greatness they achieve. To me it means that if we go to war or if we support a country that drains billions of our tax dollars we the people know are told why without hesitation the truth and the people are able to decide whether it's a just purpose or not.

Yes, with a DR it is ourduty to question ANY official when policy is not in our best interest. We should never blindly follow any man simply because we dislike the other side. Unfortunately, we have been conditioned to believe that "the one we elect is the lesser of 2 evils or from the party". We have been conditioned that it is a popularity contest. We have been conditioned wrongly, it should be "we elect whom we believe will be the best man possible to lead us in positive directions and keep the country united, while protecting the rights we enjoy." It is not a popularity contest or a "party line" contest, "it is who represents our interests and rights best" contest.

The power of the Federal government should be limited to equal rights and protection, foreign relations and making sure that tax money is distributed equally so that poorer states have the same oppurtunities as richer states. The Federal needs to make sure the air, food and water maintain a healthy level because it affects the nation as a whole, but they do not need to dictate moral laws.

Moral laws such as abortion, gay marriage, drinking age, local radio and tv. etc. as well as gun laws, should be the decision of the state and the community NOT FEDERALLY MANDATED. What works in Massachussets may not be suitable for Alabama. Having abortion legal in NYC makes sense, having it legal in Macon, Ga may not. That way, you don't like having gay marriage you move to another state or community. Communities and states should have the right to be more representative of the people who reside there, the federal government should respect the wishes of the state and the people. Morality cannot be blindly dictated when certain regions have different values.

Finally, no side is better than the other. And no side is worse. Both left and right have very good ideas and some very bad ideas. To me the problem is the right focuses on taking away social programs and reverting back to a "Social Darwinism" type society, where they figure the poor will perish or figure out how to get richer. But in my opinion, the left is more willing to try to even things up by making sure EVERYONE recieves the best education possible and that small businesses be given a helping hand to succeed. And the right seems to want to push moral issues over everyone thereby creating a more powerful central government and not recognizing states and communities rights. The left, to me, represents more power to the states and communities to decide what is best for them.

So there you have it. If you read this whole dissertation I congratulate you, as it is far longer than I planned. I am eager to read others views.

03-19-2004, 07:51 AM	#1 (permalink)
pan6467 Lennonite Priest Location: Mansfield, Ohio USA	What is a Democratic Republic? Taking the total neutral outside look and looking in at our country and how it is run, I have a few questions and an observation or two. What is a Democratic Republic (which is what we are)? I don't mean literally but I mean what does it mean to you personally, politics aside? Does it mean blindly following your leader? Does it mean you have the right to question your leader? How much power should the government have and what should it and what should it not be allowed to do? How do we go about getting the country to where the majority can help the minority without prejudice and without infringing on rights? Who should have more power over "moral laws" the nation, the state or the community? Finally, why do you hate or dislike the other side (left or right) so much if both sidesa truly are working for the betterment of the country? To me a D.R. is a way to make sure that the minority is heard and that all citizens have equal rights and that those rights are protected without prejudice and are protected. To me it means the leaders should be mature enough to admit mistakes and yet, humble enough to not take sole credit for the greatness they achieve. To me it means that if we go to war or if we support a country that drains billions of our tax dollars we the people know are told why without hesitation the truth and the people are able to decide whether it's a just purpose or not. Yes, with a DR it is ourduty to question ANY official when policy is not in our best interest. We should never blindly follow any man simply because we dislike the other side. Unfortunately, we have been conditioned to believe that "the one we elect is the lesser of 2 evils or from the party". We have been conditioned that it is a popularity contest. We have been conditioned wrongly, it should be "we elect whom we believe will be the best man possible to lead us in positive directions and keep the country united, while protecting the rights we enjoy." It is not a popularity contest or a "party line" contest, "it is who represents our interests and rights best" contest. The power of the Federal government should be limited to equal rights and protection, foreign relations and making sure that tax money is distributed equally so that poorer states have the same oppurtunities as richer states. The Federal needs to make sure the air, food and water maintain a healthy level because it affects the nation as a whole, but they do not need to dictate moral laws. Moral laws such as abortion, gay marriage, drinking age, local radio and tv. etc. as well as gun laws, should be the decision of the state and the community NOT FEDERALLY MANDATED. What works in Massachussets may not be suitable for Alabama. Having abortion legal in NYC makes sense, having it legal in Macon, Ga may not. That way, you don't like having gay marriage you move to another state or community. Communities and states should have the right to be more representative of the people who reside there, the federal government should respect the wishes of the state and the people. Morality cannot be blindly dictated when certain regions have different values. Finally, no side is better than the other. And no side is worse. Both left and right have very good ideas and some very bad ideas. To me the problem is the right focuses on taking away social programs and reverting back to a "Social Darwinism" type society, where they figure the poor will perish or figure out how to get richer. But in my opinion, the left is more willing to try to even things up by making sure EVERYONE recieves the best education possible and that small businesses be given a helping hand to succeed. And the right seems to want to push moral issues over everyone thereby creating a more powerful central government and not recognizing states and communities rights. The left, to me, represents more power to the states and communities to decide what is best for them. So there you have it. If you read this whole dissertation I congratulate you, as it is far longer than I planned. I am eager to read others views. __________________ I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"