Bush says U.S. election sets example for budding democracies

Sunday 02nd November, 04:33 AM JST

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SuperLib at 02:44 PM JST - 2nd November

I think Bush was talking more about the overall concept of democracy, not necessarily comparing the specifics of each democracy or comparing them to each other.
SezWho2 at 05:23 PM JST - 2nd November

I think Bush is right when he says that "our system of representative democracy is one of America's greatest strengths". I think it would be slightly more accurate to say "has been" instead of "is". I don't think it is at all clear that this particular system can continue to be a strength.

I tend to agree with Churchill that "democracy is a terrible system, but the best we've had so far". And what makes it the best, I believe, is not so much that democracy comes up with the right answers. I don't think it necessarily does any more than the market does. The strenth, I think is the more or less orderly succession in government.

Nonetheless, I think this particular election sets a rather bad example for budding democracies. I don't think budding democracies that do not have long-standing antecedents of formal systems of two-party opposition (king/nobles, crown/parliament, Tories/Whigs) can handle the divisiveness that often accompanies the system. I'm not sure we can either.

I think a parliamentary system would be a better model for budding democracies. And perhaps for America, too.
cow76 at 05:40 PM JST - 2nd November

The US has a form of democracy yes, but it's about the minimum you could have and still call yourself a democracy. Firstly, a lot of donations come from big business so only parties that support big business get donations. Secondly, there is no proportional representation so voting for a third party is 'throwing your vote away'. Hence, US is doomed to two very similar parties until the end of time.
CavemanLawyer at 10:02 PM JST - 2nd November

Bush said....

Why is it that I just tune out after those two words? Experience perhaps?
USAFdude at 12:24 AM JST - 3rd November

liberated iraq has a parliamentary system...

...that apparently Bush can ignore for however long he wants our troops to stay in Iraq...
tclh at 03:55 AM JST - 3rd November

US style democracy is good but not good enough. Compulsory maximum 8 years for one president needs to change. Declaration of war to other country should be done through national referendum.
skipthesong at 09:56 AM JST - 3rd November

I like how sez puts this today.

I will say this, I for one am a bit concerned about dems taking over almost everything. And I would be had it been repub. Its bad enough we virtually only have two choices and once the choice is made, only one takes the lead with the other having to leave the scene even though that other may have had a 49% vote. Hardy majority rule and minority rights implied. Some people are praising, ranting and raving for the fact that the DEms are going to take almost all of the senate and the house, I on the other hand am worried. The best thing that comes to my mind when I see this is from the Da Vinci Code when some Roman leader had asked "Who will guard the guards". We have already seen what happens when places have one group making all the decisions for the people. What's next, leaders for life, thought control...
SuperLib at 12:05 PM JST - 3rd November

cow76: so only parties that support big business get donations

...as opposed to turning their backs on big business, the biggest tax payers and employers in the country?

skip: Dems are going to take almost all of the senate and the house, I on the other hand am worried.

Yep. It's their chance to show the US what they can do as a party and they won't have any excuses. They have an amazing opportunity and it's up to them to decide what they do with it.

CavemanLawyer: Why is it that I just tune out after those two words?

It just shows how your primary concern is being on the other side of Bush and the actual issues take a back seat to that. I'll be glad when Bush is gone because it should help moderates talk about the issues without people such as yourself wasting our time with "politics first, country second" line of thinking.
skipthesong at 12:36 PM JST - 3rd November

Yep. It's their chance to show the US what they can do as a party and they won't have any excuses. They have an amazing opportunity and it's up to them to decide what they do with it." So, I take you are not at all concerned? I fear giving them carte blanche which is something we have seen in both parties depending on what news source you frequent. If you look hard enough, you'll find that dems have committed quite a many illegal activities just as much as repubs.

BTW have we ever had a party with this much control in the US? President, Senate, and House?
skipthesong at 12:36 PM JST - 3rd November

it's up to them to decide what they do with it." that statement is so scary.
SuperLib at 02:48 PM JST - 3rd November

Afraid? Not really....but then again I'm a Democrat. ;) I'm actually kind of excited about it. It's true they'll have more power than most US governments in the past, but that will be good or bad depending on their policies.
JoeBigs at 03:35 PM JST - 3rd November

I thought to myself that this must be part of a SNL skit. I had to rub my eyes and wait for someone to yell out,"Live from New York, it`s Saturday Night!".

But it appears he is saying it with a straight face.LOL

The far right wing of the Republican party has used all forms of dirty tricks to push their agenda to their base. They have also attempted to scare the less fortunate with tactics used by the SA as it attempted to take full power in Germany in the 1930`s.

The far right elements of the Republican party know full　well what they are doing is illegal. But they still push on knowing that they will not win unless they commit these acts.

Funny how one of the architects of this is touting democracy when he has attempted to suppress it in his own nation. I hope that one day he and his ilk will fall and bring freedom of the mind.

I hope Obama wins and turns this nation around from the dangerous ride it has been on for the last 14 years. Freedom of expression also means freedom of thought.

Hope and freedom comes with a price.......
ImperiumMundi at 03:47 PM JST - 3rd November

They have also attempted to scare the less fortunate with tactics used by the SA as it attempted to take full power in Germany in the 1930`s.

pretty serious charge. but without giving any specifics you just appear excitable and silly.
skipthesong at 04:23 PM JST - 3rd November

Afraid? Not really....but then again I'm a Democrat. ;) I'm actually kind of excited about it. It's true they'll have more power than most US governments in the past, but that will be good or bad depending on their policies." Well, I am neither repub or dem. It was bad enough we had two parties controlling things, now we are going to basically have one? And who are the ones who are going to control things? Some rich gated community white folks who will keep themselves rich but tell everyone how much they are helping them.
JoeBigs at 05:02 PM JST - 3rd November
ImperiumMundi at 03:47 PM JST - 3rd November pretty serious charge. but without giving any specifics you just appear excitable and silly.

Well if you wish to know, let us take a look.....btw google anyone of these and guess what.....They have happened and are happening...
1. Phony Virginia Flier Tells Dems To Vote November 5...Wonder how many will believe this one...
2. Court blocks Ohio vote challenge....Hmm wonder who wanted to stop people from voting? Google it and be surprised
3. Voter Suppression Incidents 2008....google it and be surprised
Btw do　not take my word at all......Do your own searches and be surprised.

I used to be a Republican fanatic that believed the party line until I started to do my own research.

Took me a long time to accept the facts but now I am an Independent.

Do your own fact checks do not believe what folks tell you......Suppression of votes is attempted all the time. Do your own research!

You asked and I provided now it is up to you.