What is the chance that the Old American Republic can be restored?

[tom_paine]

[mhr]

1. My Letter To Kerry Campaign On This Issue - My America Is Dead!

Dear Mr Kerry,

I used to believe in the American dream - stay out of trouble, get an
education, serve your country, and work hard with success virtually
guaranteed.

I used to believe that this country was for everyone not just the
wealthy and powerful.

I used to believe that our institutions mattered and that they
represented a tradition of honesty and integrity not a haven for
partisan politics and special interests.

I used to believe that we could make a difference in the world by
example not through lies, threats, torture and war.

I no longer believe.

Now unemployed for four years, I have come to understand that
America is a sham, nothing more than a racket for the ultra-wealthy
to extract their pound of flesh from people like myself. Once exploited,
we become little more than roadkill on the corporate super highway
- discarded like yesterday's news.

The America that I grew up believing in is dead, replaced by cabal of
avarice, deceit and deception all designed to benefit those who have
at the expense of those that have not.

I honestly don't know you Mr. Kerry and can say that you are not
speaking to the issue that matters most to me, a fair and equitable
America:

A nation that understands we are stronger when all citizens share the
fruits of our collective work and sacrifice.

A nation that emphasizes our shared experience and beliefs.

An America that puts people before profits, nation before corporation,
and society before economy.

Maybe you can make a change. I hope that to be true.

Many of us would like to believe again.

Sincerely,

MHR

[freetobegay]

2. I'm glad I'm a optimist!

[tom_paine]

8. Like being an optimist in 1936 Germany

"Just ignore that little fellow and he'll go away."

"That couldn't happen here, the German people are too decent."

"Torture, rape, religious humiliation, I cannot believe those things are going on in Dachau. Der Fuhrer says it is just a Relocation Camp for criminals."

I am not belittling optimism. The country and world needs ALL kinds of people to go, optimists and realists and pessimists and the like.

But optimism becomes dangerous when it blinds to the true dangers of Totalitarianism.

In 1936 Germany, 1926 Russia, 1950 China, 40BC Rome, and all the rest, such blindness was often fatal.

Let's hope in 2004 Amerika, things weill turn out differently than they ever have before once Totalitarianism grips the coutnry with such degree and depth and corrupt ruthless power.

I do hope you are right and I am wrong. More than you'll ever know.

[H2O Man]

3. It comes down to who you believe:

Either the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. or george bush/cheney is telling the truth. Only one can be right. And that means the other is lying, is deceitful, and wrong.

I believe fully in King's dream.

[0007]

6. I do too! But it appears that 37% still believe the way my 92 year old

father does. And my father is a very racist man that can't be changed.

[NoPasaran]

4. 50/50

The Old Republic is dead---Long live the New Republic!

We've gone through at least two republics as I see it: the original 1789 Model and the revised version that emerged from the Civil War. Some might argue that a third edition emerged under FDR.

We cannot go back, but I believe that we can revivify our democratic institutions for the new century.

[Tyler Durden]

5. "As time goes on, your survivability percentage approaches zero"

Everything dies. EVERYTHING.

It is uniquely American to believe in this concept of the undying country/concept/freedom/insert your concept here.

There is ONE TRUE CONCEPT; Everything that is alive will one day be dead. This goes for philosophies, ideas, concepts, political systems, economies AND NATIONS. ESPECIALLY Nations.

There is NOT ONE NATION that existed in 1800 that exists TODAY. You can SAY that the US still exists, but do we have the exact same structure and concept of nationhood that existed in 1800? Nope. There isn't one political party that existed at that time that is here, now. Britain, or England if you will, is another example. Where is "THE BRITISH EMPIRE?"

Case closed.

The only way that any nation lasts more than about 150 years is by EVOLVING. You might even say we have evolved AGAIN since the Civil War to the point that we will continue here; this is an arguable point, IF you agree that this nation WILL NOT exist in the same format as before. Therefore, we will have evolved.

But everything is a dinosaur. Everything eventually becomes extinct. Do you believe in an eventual UNITED STATES OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM, or even THE LOCAL STAR GROUP? Then you are delusional.

We exist at the constant Birth and Funeral of all things, including ourselves. It is criminally foolish to believe in "1000 Year Reichs," even benign ones. The most reasonable thing we can do is assist at the birth of the new format/concept/system, and guide it in the direction of peace, brotherhood, and good will; which is not happening at this time.

When stasis or digression brings steps toward the re-creation of the Slave State, then to hope for its continuance for "Auld Lang Sine" is beyond criminal, it is a psychotic disconnect. The ONE world WILL arrive; it is only a matter of time. The only question is whether or not the concepts that made the United States will play a major role in the creation of the new ethic, or not. If we continue on our current path of elitism, bigotry, and arrogance, then we condemn ourselves to the scrap heap of history.

[tom_paine]

9. Totalitarian Nations like Imperial Amerika do NOT go to the stars

(maybe some low-orbit murderous nuclear platforms but no further)

Species that cannot evolve sufficiently to reach the stars die in a pool of their own poisons...

...as the human species is doing right now.

The only question is, will Totalitarianism continue the upswqing that began on 12-12-2000 to take over the world in this Kinder and Gentler Managed Democracy form.

So, no, I don't think that Imperial Amerika will ever colonize the Solar System nor the human sopecies.

Not because it can't be done but because we appear to be an evolutionary dead end.

Well see, living in a Totalitarian Nation in transition from freedom to Tyranny, like Imperial Amerika, does tend to make one more cynical.

[Zorra]

7. What are the chances

of a majority of Americans not watching TV anymore?

Americans will never be aware enough to regain their freedom as long as they spend a substantial amount of their free time sucking on an electronic pacifier.

IMO, in order for our nation to evolve from the principles this country was founded on, people need to start living in the real world. Democracy and freedom require real communication and effort to maintain.

As long as a substantial number of Americans are are addicted to and incapacitated by the visual opium presented by RW media ownership, they will not have the time or inclination to make the effort to protect their liberty.

The large number of posts at DU that are related to television really alarms me. To me this indicates that many politically concerned people are spending a great deal of their time under the care of the Big Brother's great industrial baby sitter.

While so many folks are bucolicly enjoying the fictional adventures of the characters on "Sex and the City", they are unconsciously allowing their freedom to be taken from them. There is very little that is of any genuine informational value in television shows, news, and political commentary, and most of it is detrimental to thought, action, and consequently, the maintenance of freedom and democracy.

Television is an addiction that usually begins in childhood with most Americans. The addiction grows stronger as they get older. It is a very difficult addiction to cure. Most Americans don't know they are addicted to television, and if they do know they have a tough time admitting it. Ask someone if they are willing to give up their television, and you often get the same responses other types of addicts give when they deny their addiction to mind and body altering substances.

If you want to be free, kill your TV.

I'm The Slime - Frank Zappa

I am gross and perverted
I'm obsessed 'n deranged
I have existed for years
But very little had changed
I am the tool of the Government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you
I may be vile and pernicious
But you can't look away
I make you think I'm delicious
With the stuff that I say
I am the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I am the slime oozin' out
From your TV set
You will obey me while I lead you
And eat the garbage that I feed you
Until the day that we don't need you
Don't go for help...no one will heed you
Your mind is totally controlled
It has been stuffed into my mold
And you will do as you are told
Until the rights to you are sold
That's right, folks.. Don't touch that dial
Well, I am the slime from your video
Oozin' along on your livingroom floor
I am the slime from your video
Can't stop the slime, people, lookit me go
:-(

[tom_paine]

10. Agreed. But TV is a drug more pernicious than heroin

I know and agree with what you say. But I have a TV and watch it in spite of that.

Maybe not as much as some, but there you have it.

[Zorra]

11. Your honesty is much appreciated.

So my answer to your post would be no, the Old American Republic cannot be restored.

We may get Kerry elected, but there will not be substantial progress made toward the restoration and subsequent evolution of our democracy until a majority of Americans are willing to devote a great deal of their free time communicating about real information and putting forth effort toward this goal. It must be a foremost priority.

"The main body of our citizens... remain true to their republican principles; the whole landed interest is republican, and so is a great mass of talents. Against us are... all timid men who prefer the calm of despotism to the boisterous sea of liberty... We are likely to preserve the liberty we have obtained only by unremitting labors and perils." Thomas Jefferson