[Concerned]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('OneLoneClone', 'W')here to start? I'm not here to discuss the merits of anarchy vs democratic government with overzealous, unhinged simpletons who see the world in black and white... start your own thread.

I think that longer office terms combined with meaningful campaign finance reform (heineken, you are right, you would need both) would really help america deal with long term problems. I think that the election cycle is part of the problem. Election years are fucked, and increasingly TWO years before any given election are fucked, because the campaigning keeps beginining earlier. Election years tend to yield pandering 'solutions' to problems that end up creating more problems.

[Concerned]

I just wanted to add that if people want longer terms. Why not keep voting say Republican or Democrat?

Assuming for example that the Democrats and Republicans are poles apart on issues such as "Free Trade" and Defence, or perhaps I should focus on important issues such as abortion and gay marriage?

It's not as if Regan, Bush Sr, Dole, Bush Jr etc.. will be that far apart on policy it's the exact same party.

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Grifter', 'I')sn't party politics the problem?

[MyOtherID]

The US, as long as it retains the lobbying systems with corporations in bed with pollies, will always be a dangerous and unpleasant place to live, as it is now.

However, Bush recently made a truly amazing statement that shows he is serious about reforming the influence big business has on government in the land that has The Best Government that Money can Buy. Listen to this breakthrough statement:

http://www.weeklyradioaddress.com/Sounds/WRA_060401.mp3

[eric_b]

I love that word. ClusterFUCK. Say it out loud a few times.

It's a good way to summarise the human condition at this point.

[zed]

I'm not convinced democracy/representative government will work very well in an age of collapse and contraction. In such an environment, lies and deception are much more palatable to many people than the truth of needing to consume less, spend less, have less kids, etc.

I'm guessing it is very rare (if it has even happened) for a society to maintain a representative government during a prolonged multi-generational collapse. Thus I don't think the terms of representatives really addresses the fundamental issue here...

[OneLoneClone]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')'m guessing it is very rare (if it has even happened) for a society to maintain a representative government during a prolonged multi-generational collapse. Thus I don't think the terms of representatives really addresses the fundamental issue here...