host,
While I don't disagree with many of the "issues" brought up in your links, I'm not sure the problem is purely partisan. A lot of the issue seems to be due to a growing apathy on the part of the common man, which allows the power granted to politicians (of any affiliation) to be abused that much more easily and to that much greater an extent. In another thread, we talked about changes in America over the past few decades. It seems telling to me how angry the public was when Nixon was caught duping the public. When Clinton was caught with his pants down (more or less literally) it was an issue, but not a major one (He's just a regular guy underneath it all I heard someone say... actually, I think it was me...). With W, he lies with a great regularity and strives to help create and pass legislation that robs us of our freedoms, but nobody even bats an eye. Okay, maybe not "nobody", but not enough people to DO anything about it. W has blatently violated US Law and the US Constitution. How is it this is acceptable, but people wanted Clinton impeached for getting his extramarital freak on? South or not, GOP or not, it just scared the hell out of me.
I'm not sure if it's eaither "status quo" or "power imbalance" that I'd like to see discussed here. Maybe neither, maybe both. Maybe more about why you (or I) don't do more to stop it. Personally, I just don't know WHAT to do. I regularly write (both written and electronic) letters to my state and federal representatvies about issues. I try to stay involved in that way. My "participation" in the military is, with all hopefulness, coming to an end soon. I will certainly NOT be reenlisting... ever. I consider myself to be very patriotic and as such cannot stand to sit idly by while the very things I believe so deeply in are destroyed or irreversibly altered for the worse.
Two things I firmly believe to be true:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Benjamin Franklin
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security"
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by US Army Oath of Enlistment
I, ___________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed overme, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
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Unfortunately the latter now contradicts. In my eyes, the POTUS is a direct threat to the COnstitution of the United States, and therefore an enemy (domestic) that I have sworn to protect it against. The UCMJ adds another level of problem regarding me doing much of anything.
Those things said, I offer several options for additional conversation. The above mentioned by host, your thoughts on the situation at large, what you personally do or do not do to solve the issues at hand (and why), or your own commentary on the issue as you see fit. See? Plenty to discuss!