h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

birth :


How can it be personal to point out a fact?


And what makes you think I´m filled with anger?



TD.

It is personal because you addreess me, then infer that the thread is not viable and it began when I joined the conversation.

Your agner is as transparent as the windshield on my car.

You are a clasic A persoality I wish you

can I offer you some small animals to torture?

Now, now... be nice.

T'mershi, I'm serious - I really would like a link to any information you might have on polio virus cultivation. I spent some time looking for it, but the Internet isn't always a reliable or complete source of info.

I've been trying to figure out, ever since this thread started, why I get so irritated when people rant about how America is ing up their lives. I guess it's because it's the equivalent of complaining to the paper delivery boy because you don't like the article on the front page. If those who have a problem with American policies want to tell me about them, that's fine. But they always manage to make it sound as if it's my fault, and I guess that's what bothers me.

The real problem with America - not Americans - is that we've gone back to the British two-party system. We need to get rid of the electoral college and have governmental funding for at least two more parties - the Green Party and the Libertarians. Discuss.

The electoral college is a brilliant institution and I am in awe of or forefathers for having the foresight to include it. It is more important now than it has ever been and I shudder at the thought of its reversal. I would be glad if you would explain to me why you think it should go.

The purpose of the electoral college is to prevent population concentrations in the major cities from marginalising the votes of the rural residents. With out it a national candidate could win the support of The five largest cities and completely write off the needs and concerns of the rest of the nation.

That comment about the two party system is verry valid I think. If there were a real alternative to vote on, does anyone think either Bush or Dole would have gotten as many votes as they had now?
How does the system actually work in the US? Lentilla said something about government funding. Is that what's keeping the republicans and democrats in power over any other parties?
I think the whole political system in the US, as far as I understand it, should be reconsidered. I mean, there is something very wrong in my view if the parties rely on direct funds from businesses. That is just asking for bribes and corruption. The whole situation about Bush, his connections with the oil-industries, and his carelessness over the environment are all connected here I think.
Any views from 'the indside' about this?

I think the Lib Dems would be rather upset to hear that the Brits have a two-party system, it might make them wonder why they have been bothering all this time...

Well, everyone else wonders why they've been bothering all this time...

I can see the Lib-Dems getting rather a large boost at the next election-there's a lot of dissaffected Labour voters out there who will never vote Tory but won't vote for Blair either.

Sorry was lurking and just had to put this in, I was at a comedy show last night and the comedien said the very same thing, but he also pointed out that the libral democrats were not ready for it, his comedy line was that it would be worth voting for them just to see someone standing in the doorway of number 10 smiling and saying to his number 2 through the side of his mouth 'now what the f**k are we going to do?'

Mel *not really educated enough about the politics of England but would like them to bring back student grants.*

BS- that got said the last two elections about unhappy Tory voters...

"Vote Lib Dem! At least we're not Tory/Labour/any other party you really hate"

Nice tag line, could work.

Well, hope springs eternal.
The worst possible case scenario is that a load of independant Labour candiddates stand and split the vote letting the ing Tories back in.

Let's count ourselves lucky we haven't ended up like France did, but maybe it's worh being careful so as not to end up like France did!

Mel

France's situation was a result of apathy regarding the election. "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty," as they say. In spite of all the anger being thrown around here, it does get people to think. That's more important than anything specifically wrong with America or anywhere else... that people driven to make changes continue to think and work for it.

-Eagle 1

>We need to get rid of the electoral college and have governmental funding for at least two more parties - the Green Party and the Libertarians. Discuss.<

There are already two libertarian parties in the US. Perhaps what you need is socialism.

Hang on - it's not like it's overabundant over here, either. Perhaps I'll find some in China.

You'll find a very warped socialism in China.
Y'know, the sort that says belonging to a fitness club (essentially what falun Gong is) is not allowed.

You'll find a very warped socialism in China.
Y'know, the sort that says belonging to a fitness club (essentially what falun Gong is) is not allowed.

There are already two libertarian parties in the US. Perhaps what you need is socialism
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Some how I just do not think that will work. The small independent partys are really no more the a distraction. They have no chance of winning and only a small chance of influencing an election. Besides the lack of funding {a fraction of the 2 major parties} when you break from the "good ole boy club" you become negligible.

While confessing to being somewhat judgemental and more than a little condescending, I don't think Americans at large could cope with anything other than a two party system - America is a country of right/wrong, black/white, good/evil, justice/anarchy etc. etc. There's very little appreciation for grey areas - it's doesn't make good TV for a start. This type of culture has benefits (it's decisive, so action takes place), unlike Europe, particularly continental Europe, where excessive compromising and decision by committee, while attempting to please everybody, more often than not pleases nobody, and leads to inaction.