Would Americans fight for democracy?

[zanne]

It's hard to "take the pulse" of the American people right now; between Diebold voting machines and suspect polling companies, it's really impossible to know what the majority of us are thinking. But the big question is not who will win the next election. The question is; who will care if we are reduced to a "democracy on paper" like so many other countries. Fighting for democracy is hard, cruel and messy. Would we be willing to do that inside of the United States? What if the leaders of the Republican Party decided to be the permanent majority? What would really prevent them from taking over completely and permanently. What could we do? (To alot of us, the answer is no longer the ballot box). What power do we really have and would we be willing to sacrifice ourselves to do it? Or is this question too uncomfortable and inconvenient on a day when we'd rather be out shopping or watching football? I guess this rambling question comes down to this; How serious are we about democracy?

[acmejack]

1. I doubt Americans will fight for anything anymore.

Maybe for 24 hour cable tv and/or drive thru fast food but not much more. I don't know what it would take to get the majority of them off their fat asses.

[Nutmegger]

4. I agree 100%

It's going to take more than a little voter fraud, a fake war and illegal wiretapping. It sucks.

[rodeodance]

2. evesdroppings cuts across party lines.

[zanne]

3. What does that matter if elections are fixed?

What tools do we have and do we have the courage to use them if we have to?

[sarcasmo]

5. This current America would roll over and submit to their leader.

The new Imperialist President has the right so brain washed that no one is thinking clearly.

[spun_in_montana]

6. Oh boy, Im torn on this one

On the one hand, the left of course, if what has taken place so far has not caused people to rise up hard enough to affect change then....what will?
On the other hand (also left, Im lucky that way), I can see enough of the big picture to realize even mass protest will not be enough to turn back the "red" tide, if we are even allowed to gather ala the Orange Revolution. :shrug:

[patricia92243]

7. Yes. But the problem is getting them to see and understand that they are

fighting for democracy. Here a little, there a little - our freedoms are taken away so gradually that no one is alarmed. There is no clear cut "enemy" that they can see. IF, IF, IF they could made to realize that they need to fight, the public would step up to the plate in a heartbeat.

[MichiganVote]

8. The problem is not "Americans". The problem=American gov't

Americans have essentially been marginalized by corrupt lobbying, republican tactics in the house and senate, cronyism, and the religious right. The very wealthy elite are holding the American economy hostage to fear and manipulation. We are in a class war, not on a war on terror.

[whirlygigspin]

9. ah, you might want to buy this book

Kurt Vonnegut Extracted from A Man Without a Country: A Memoir of Life in George W Bush's America

"Our president is a Christian? So was Adolf Hitler."

"In case you haven't noticed, we are now as feared and hated all over the world as Nazis once were."


"I now give up on people, too. I am a veteran of the second world war and I have to say this is not the first time I have surrendered to a pitiless war machine."

My last words? "Life is no way to treat an animal, not even a mouse."


--America must be ready for the trasheap of history if even Kurt Vonnegut is giving up. So what if your children starve, at least you had fun.

GWB on the future: "what do I care, I'll be dead".

[jimshoes]

10. And if I'm near

the graveyard and need to piss, I know where I'll be taking it.

[MichiganVote]

11. I have it, thank you.