tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post4036564000005349233..comments2024-01-25T12:33:03.851+10:30Comments on Telling the History of the Twenty-First Century as it Really Is: MORE EROSION OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACYDamian Lataanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06886295381135372084noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-84980119670018053162007-04-29T09:42:00.000+09:302007-04-29T09:42:00.000+09:30More on Bush and signing statements:http://writ.n...More on Bush and signing statements:<BR/>http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20060113.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-7600252976283359522007-04-29T06:07:00.000+09:302007-04-29T06:07:00.000+09:30Ai ai ai - Guys: accept the democratic process, wi...Ai ai ai - Guys: accept the democratic process, will you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-5023385960770942152007-04-28T16:48:00.000+09:302007-04-28T16:48:00.000+09:30Yes, indeed. And all those petitionsYes, indeed. And all those petitionsDamian Lataanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886295381135372084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-74928375501278859842007-04-28T16:32:00.000+09:302007-04-28T16:32:00.000+09:30Don't forget all those signing statements.Don't forget all those signing statements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-15324518867255022762007-04-27T08:32:00.000+09:302007-04-27T08:32:00.000+09:30The people indeed have spoken - they did that at t...The people indeed have spoken - they did that at the polls and made it clear that they were no longer interested in war. It's a pity that their voice is not refelected in the stance of those who they voted for when it comes to voting in congress.<BR/><BR/>It's also a pity that their President isn't listening either and is abusing the right of veto in order to perpetuate a war the people clearly do not want.<BR/><BR/>The people, the only entity that counts in a real democracy, do not want this war to continue. Those they have elected are ignoring them.<BR/><BR/>So much for democracy.Damian Lataanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886295381135372084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-8115579712358785322007-04-27T02:09:00.000+09:302007-04-27T02:09:00.000+09:30"The veto bit is but just part of the overall prob..."The veto bit is but just part of the overall problem that the Americans and the world face."<BR/><BR/>The veto is not a "problem" for anyone, including America. America has lived well for more than two centuries with Presidential veto powers. It's no danger to the American democratic system nor to the world.<BR/><BR/>Look at the votes for the bill in question: the House managed a majority on near-party lines. A couple of Republicans voted for it and a few Dems didn't but - largely - they split by party. If they tried to over turn the veto Pelosi would have to grab 70 or votes from the other side...which just isn't going to happen.<BR/><BR/>The people may have been happy to put Pelosi in charge of the House but they didn't trust her enough to give the Dems a 66% share of the votes. It'll be vetoed and they won't succeed in challenging the veto.<BR/><BR/>The people have spoken - it just happens that you don't like all of what they had to say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-78659284845015344902007-04-26T21:39:00.000+09:302007-04-26T21:39:00.000+09:30It's not for me to suggest what congress do; I'm m...It's not for me to suggest what congress do; I'm merely making an observation about the general erosion of America's so-called 'democracy'. The veto bit is but just part of the overall problem that the Americans and the world face.Damian Lataanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886295381135372084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-26892320450398418582007-04-26T21:17:00.000+09:302007-04-26T21:17:00.000+09:30What do you suggest the Congress do, then? If they...What do you suggest the Congress do, then? If they really want to do the will of the American people then they will try and overturn the veto - but getting 2/3 is a lot harder than getting a simple majority. <BR/><BR/>The American people may have given the Dems a majority but they did not give then the 2/3 majority to overturn Presidential vetoes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-18996287572569898532007-04-26T21:10:00.000+09:302007-04-26T21:10:00.000+09:30The fact remains that the people of America want t...The fact remains that the people of America want the troops out. Bush, despite his 'democratic' powers of veto, refuses to acknowledge the peoples will.<BR/><BR/>Cheating at the polls, which Bush did at two elections, is also undemocratic. Lying to the people in order to start wars is undemocratic. Torturing people is not what democratic nations do. Denying justice is not what democratic nations do. Invading sovereign nations is not what democratic nations do. Plundering other nations resources is not what democratic nations do.<BR/><BR/>You can spin it whatever way you like sunshine, Bush has eroded what little 'democracy' was left in America. Using the fact that many other Presidents have abused their veto power is hardly an argument to support the notion that America still has 'democracy'.Damian Lataanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886295381135372084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-5755144717556435662007-04-26T20:54:00.000+09:302007-04-26T20:54:00.000+09:30Note, too, that George W Bush has vetoed only ONE ...Note, too, that George W Bush has vetoed only ONE bill in his entire Presidency.<BR/><BR/>In comparison, Democrat Presidents vetoed dozens:<BR/><BR/>* Clinton - 37 vetoes<BR/>* Carter - 31 vetoes<BR/>* Johnson - 30 vetoes<BR/><BR/>If the Presidential veto is a sign of democracy being eroded then you have to admit that GWB is nowhere near the worst offender.<BR/><BR/>NB - Bush Snr and Reagan both used the veto a lot, also. GWB is a real exception to recent Presidencies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7708970.post-87578204283030359992007-04-26T20:42:00.000+09:302007-04-26T20:42:00.000+09:30It's a little early to write off American democrac...It's a little early to write off American democracy because the President is exercising his power to veto a bill.The veto is part of the democratic process in the US and it can be overturned by Congress should they desire to do so.<BR/><BR/>If the Congress is committed to passing the bill and has the numbers to overturn the veto then they will.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com