@Blackout
Rather than go point by point I think the real difference between us (you and me; the U.S.A. and most of Europe) is that we fundamentally distrust placing too much power in the hands of one man or group including the voters. Our Constitution is set up to check unbridled power. It is the ability to accumulate power that leads to dictatorships and totalitarian regimes of any kind including military dictatorships and fascist governments. This is why not only is power divided between the three branches of government but the legislative branch is further divided. In addition elections of House and Senate representatives are staggered so that a sudden change of public opinion can only change them so much at once. These restrictions in power do not restrict personal liberties, but do impede totalitarianism and dictatorship (the problem our founding fathers were really worried about).
With these restrictions in place, free speech no matter how ugly the opinions expressed serves as a check on government, not a threat to democracy.
I see any constitution or system of government that places power in the hands of the few and dangerous regardless of the restrictions in place because with enough power, all restrictions can be overcome.
Rather than go point by point I think the real difference between us (you and me; the U.S.A. and most of Europe) is that we fundamentally distrust placing too much power in the hands of one man or group including the voters. Our Constitution is set up to check unbridled power. It is the ability to accumulate power that leads to dictatorships and totalitarian regimes of any kind including military dictatorships and fascist governments. This is why not only is power divided between the three branches of government but the legislative branch is further divided. In addition elections of House and Senate representatives are staggered so that a sudden change of public opinion can only change them so much at once. These restrictions in power do not restrict personal liberties, but do impede totalitarianism and dictatorship (the problem our founding fathers were really worried about).
With these restrictions in place, free speech no matter how ugly the opinions expressed serves as a check on government, not a threat to democracy.
I see any constitution or system of government that places power in the hands of the few and dangerous regardless of the restrictions in place because with enough power, all restrictions can be overcome.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god. If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.
