Democracy is a beautiful thing after all....

[PLAYER57832]

It may not work but it's a beautiful thing.

It did work, does work in areas where people are not so heavily vested in corporations that they cannot afford to question them... and forget that corporations are ONLY about making money and protecting the investors, not anything that is right, just or any other value... no matter what the parties in the companies might wish or believe.

[Gillipig]

It may not work but it's a beautiful thing.

It did work, does work in areas where people are not so heavily vested in corporations that they cannot afford to question them... and forget that corporations are ONLY about making money and protecting the investors, not anything that is right, just or any other value... no matter what the parties in the companies might wish or believe.

Ain't just about money, might be in your country but not in mine.

[PLAYER57832]

It may not work but it's a beautiful thing.

It did work, does work in areas where people are not so heavily vested in corporations that they cannot afford to question them... and forget that corporations are ONLY about making money and protecting the investors, not anything that is right, just or any other value... no matter what the parties in the companies might wish or believe.

Ain't just about money, might be in your country but not in mine.

Well then, what other purpose does a corporation have in Sweden?

[BigBallinStalin]

I think you missed my point.

I think I flat out ignored your point.

And I've got a little TIP for you, get the POINT?


--Andy

Death by puns is a cruel way to go.

[BigBallinStalin]

It may not work but it's a beautiful thing.

It did work, does work in areas where people are not so heavily vested in corporations that they cannot afford to question them... and forget that corporations are ONLY about making money and protecting the investors, not anything that is right, just or any other value... no matter what the parties in the companies might wish or believe.

What impact do voters have on the democratic political process?

[notyou2]

It may not work but it's a beautiful thing.

It did work, does work in areas where people are not so heavily vested in corporations that they cannot afford to question them... and forget that corporations are ONLY about making money and protecting the investors, not anything that is right, just or any other value... no matter what the parties in the companies might wish or believe.

What impact do voters have on the democratic political process?

Less than major corporations that unduly influence the political process, yet aren't voters.

[BigBallinStalin]

It may not work but it's a beautiful thing.

It did work, does work in areas where people are not so heavily vested in corporations that they cannot afford to question them... and forget that corporations are ONLY about making money and protecting the investors, not anything that is right, just or any other value... no matter what the parties in the companies might wish or believe.

What impact do voters have on the democratic political process?

Less than major corporations that unduly influence the political process, yet aren't voters.

How do you know?

For example, if voters wouldn't choose politicians who even thought of taking corporate funding, then the more corruptible politicians wouldn't survive the competitive process. But... voters do choose such politicians. Ultimately, votes determine the character of the politician; voters don't want a politician lecturing to them about how their beliefs are mistaken; they want someone to yell about how awesome they are.

It's more sensible to put most of the blame on voters (it's not like voters are the bastions of rational thought in the political process). Blaming 'teh big business' for hijacking democracy is a pleasant story, which to some degree is true, but it doesn't explain the bottomline issues (e.g. selection of politicians). People won't like my story because it blames them for being irrational.

[notyou2]

It may not work but it's a beautiful thing.

It did work, does work in areas where people are not so heavily vested in corporations that they cannot afford to question them... and forget that corporations are ONLY about making money and protecting the investors, not anything that is right, just or any other value... no matter what the parties in the companies might wish or believe.

What impact do voters have on the democratic political process?

Less than major corporations that unduly influence the political process, yet aren't voters.

How do you know?

For example, if voters wouldn't choose politicians who even thought of taking corporate funding, then the more corruptible politicians wouldn't survive the competitive process. But... voters do choose such politicians. Ultimately, votes determine the character of the politician; voters don't want a politician lecturing to them about how their beliefs are mistaken; they want someone to yell about how awesome they are.

It's more sensible to put most of the blame on voters (it's not like voters are the bastions of rational thought in the political process). Blaming 'teh big business' for hijacking democracy is a pleasant story, which to some degree is true, but it doesn't explain the bottomline issues (e.g. selection of politicians). People won't like my story because it blames them for being irrational.

We have a provincial election Monday. The choices of politicians are abysmal. Our province is broke thanks to the 2 parties that keep winning the elections. Yet, when they have a chance to help the economy, they choose to do the bidding of big business and screw the people. I am so tired of this. They give forgivable grants to big business that have very deep pockets. They give the people's money and tax breaks for job creation when the large corporations don't need the money. It's despicable and the roller coaster continues.

[BigBallinStalin]

It may not work but it's a beautiful thing.

It did work, does work in areas where people are not so heavily vested in corporations that they cannot afford to question them... and forget that corporations are ONLY about making money and protecting the investors, not anything that is right, just or any other value... no matter what the parties in the companies might wish or believe.

What impact do voters have on the democratic political process?

Less than major corporations that unduly influence the political process, yet aren't voters.

How do you know?

For example, if voters wouldn't choose politicians who even thought of taking corporate funding, then the more corruptible politicians wouldn't survive the competitive process. But... voters do choose such politicians. Ultimately, votes determine the character of the politician; voters don't want a politician lecturing to them about how their beliefs are mistaken; they want someone to yell about how awesome they are.

It's more sensible to put most of the blame on voters (it's not like voters are the bastions of rational thought in the political process). Blaming 'teh big business' for hijacking democracy is a pleasant story, which to some degree is true, but it doesn't explain the bottomline issues (e.g. selection of politicians). People won't like my story because it blames them for being irrational.

We have a provincial election Monday. The choices of politicians are abysmal. Our province is broke thanks to the 2 parties that keep winning the elections. Yet, when they have a chance to help the economy, they choose to do the bidding of big business and screw the people. I am so tired of this. They give forgivable grants to big business that have very deep pockets. They give the people's money and tax breaks for job creation when the large corporations don't need the money. It's despicable and the roller coaster continues.

There's very few voters who think like you.

Also, why does Canada grow tomatoes? I bought some the other day; they weren't bad, but it seemed like a lot of resources were wasted.

[notyou2]

We sell the less than stellar ones to America to get capital for the large corporations, so they can buy politicians.

You're right, my peers voted the ones that drove us to the brink back in power.

[BigBallinStalin]

We sell the less than stellar ones to America to get capital for the large corporations, so they can buy politicians.

You're right, my peers voted the ones that drove us to the brink back in power.

Nearly all politicians, regardless of party,* will continue to drive democratic countries to the brink. They're usually all fiscally irresponsible (and so are nearly all the voters). What happened in Greece and Ireland (the fiscal debt problem) will happen in Canada and the US. That's the trajectory we're headed.

*i.e. politicians who are actually in office. Fringe groups like the Greens and the Libertarians don't really count.

[notyou2]

We sell the less than stellar ones to America to get capital for the large corporations, so they can buy politicians.

You're right, my peers voted the ones that drove us to the brink back in power.

Nearly all politicians, regardless of party,* will continue to drive democratic countries to the brink. They're usually all fiscally irresponsible (and so are nearly all the voters). What happened in Greece and Ireland (the fiscal debt problem) will happen in Canada and the US. That's the trajectory we're headed.

*i.e. politicians who are actually in office. Fringe groups like the Greens and the Libertarians don't really count.

One green got elected, that is the sole bright light.

[BigBallinStalin]

Not really. They'd drive that country into the ground if they dominated the political process. They tend to be Communists wrapped in the fashionable rhetoric of environmentalism. Or, if they don't want to nationalize the means of production, they'd want to significantly control it, which essentially was the means of control for national socialism.

A "bright light," indeed.

[notyou2]

Not really. They'd drive that country into the ground if they dominated the political process. They tend to be Communists wrapped in the fashionable rhetoric of environmentalism. Or, if they don't want to nationalize the means of production, they'd want to significantly control it, which essentially was the means of control for national socialism.

A "bright light," indeed.

This guy is pretty sensible, don't think he is a communist. Besides, the process should represent all of the people, not just a smattering. I'm certain he will be a breath of fresh air in the legislature.

[BigBallinStalin]

run his name through opensecrets.org and see what ya get

[tzor]

Not really. They'd drive that country into the ground if they dominated the political process. They tend to be Communists wrapped in the fashionable rhetoric of environmentalism.

I remember someone once calling them watermelons ... externally green but red on the inside.

[notyou2]

run his name through opensecrets.org and see what ya get

He doesn't come up, but that appears to be donators to American politicians.

[BigBallinStalin]

run his name through opensecrets.org and see what ya get

He doesn't come up, but that appears to be donators to American politicians.

Oh well. I was hoping it worked with Canada since its American enough.

[notyou2]

run his name through opensecrets.org and see what ya get

He doesn't come up, but that appears to be donators to American politicians.

Oh well. I was hoping it worked with Canada since its American enough.

Eh?

[Endgame422]

There is no America, there is no democracy. We no longer live in a world of nations and ideologies The world is a college of corporations inexorably determined by the immutably bylaws of business. The world is a business. Everything is potential capital.

Which might be why its hardly made the standard news outlets that Phillip Morris is suing Uruguay in the world court over packaging rules for cigarettes.. packages that are saving lives.
They claim that the package changes violate trade agreements.

And... Australia is apparently next, if they win

What?
How is packaging saving lives?
Is P-M trying to go back to their detestable poison shrinkwrap?

[notyou2]

There is no America, there is no democracy. We no longer live in a world of nations and ideologies The world is a college of corporations inexorably determined by the immutably bylaws of business. The world is a business. Everything is potential capital.

Which might be why its hardly made the standard news outlets that Phillip Morris is suing Uruguay in the world court over packaging rules for cigarettes.. packages that are saving lives.
They claim that the package changes violate trade agreements.

And... Australia is apparently next, if they win

What?
How is packaging saving lives?
Is P-M trying to go back to their detestable poison shrinkwrap?

I expect the packaging is showing pictures of the results of smoking. They do in Canada. Black lungs, rotting teeth, etc. The pictures must be over 60% of the packaging. Also, they can no longer name cigarrettes with adjectives such as mild or light. All cigarette advertising at events such as sports or arts has been banned. For example, Imperial Tobacco can not sponsor tennis events.

[Dukasaur]

I expect the packaging is showing pictures of the results of smoking. They do in Canada. Black lungs, rotting teeth, etc. The pictures must be over 60% of the packaging. Also, they can no longer name cigarrettes with adjectives such as mild or light. All cigarette advertising at events such as sports or arts has been banned. For example, Imperial Tobacco can not sponsor tennis events.

The last part really blows.

The Symphony of Fire has gone completely downhill since it lost Benson & Hedges.

I imagine other events are in the same boat.