Posts: 90
Threads: 5
Joined: May 3, 2012
Reputation:
5
When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 5:21 pm
The same sex issue is opening up a very interesting debate and exposes the vulnerability of democracy. This is not limited to the recent NC vote but goes back to Prop. 8 in California.
In both places we find the people of 2 states vilified because they exercised their right to choose and the majority in both cases went against the 'approved desired' outcome.
In California we then had a spoiled homosexual community race for the courts, get a homosexual judge who had a vested interest in the outcome of the vote and sought to overturn the democratically reached decision.
Why is it democracy when the 'desired approved' result is selected but not democracy when it is over-turned?
Doesn't the majority in both states deserve to have democracy when the vote is in their favor?
It seems to me that democracy for some people means 'when we get what we want' and that it is 'medeval thinking', going back to the stone age', etc. when the results ago against their demands and wishes.
Democracy demands/requires honesty from all sides to work but lately we see that some sides refuse to be honest and accept the decision of the majority.
-----------------------------------------------
Let's see if the atheists on this board can discuss the 2 questions honestly, without abusing those who disagree with them and let's see them bring good arguments supported by evidence without turning everything into a discussion on religious views. if you maike a comment be prepared to answer the question--Why.
This is strictly a political discussion on democracy and who it applies to, though religious views may enter in they cannot derail this thread.
Posts: 2694
Threads: 42
Joined: May 6, 2012
Reputation:
43
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 5:23 pm
First, let me ask, how do you feel about interracial marriage?
Posts: 249
Threads: 13
Joined: April 4, 2012
Reputation:
3
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 5:24 pm
(This post was last modified: May 9, 2012 at 5:26 pm by libalchris.)
You clearly don't realize that the United States is NOT a democracy, we're a constitutional republic; that means rule of law. The rights of all are protected, the majority can't just trample on the rights of whoever they want.
If the majority in your state voted to take away your house, would you be ok with that? After all, it's democracy.
Posts: 1298
Threads: 42
Joined: January 2, 2012
Reputation:
32
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 5:25 pm
What the majority thinks should never be allowed to impinge upon people's rights. In the USA, when the black population was still segregated, it was probably what the majority wanted, but it doesn't make it right, does it?
Posts: 12806
Threads: 158
Joined: February 13, 2010
Reputation:
111
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 5:26 pm
DeeTee, you cannot demand certain behavior or posts from any other member of this forum. People can have their religious views enter in all they want without you having the power or right to do a single fucking thing about it. I resent you trying to dictate how our members behave.
As for the topic at hand, your questions actually don't address "democracy failing" at all. You're talking about one specific issue and how only a percentage feel about it. I don't think democracy has failed. I think the bulk of people involved in stopping gay marriage are nosy assholes.
Posts: 30974
Threads: 204
Joined: July 19, 2011
Reputation:
141
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 5:32 pm
(May 9, 2012 at 5:21 pm)DeeTee Wrote: Democracy demands/requires honesty from all sides to work but lately we see that some sides refuse to be honest and accept the decision of the majority.
No. Some sides refuse to accept conditions which violate due process, equal protection under the law, and other principles which form the basis of our system of representative government in our republic (which is not, strictly speaking, a democracy, though it is a democratic form of government).
The majority can't decide to deny others the same treatment under law and be immune from challenges in the judiciary. That's one of the checks and balances in our system.
I also note you also have access to the same institutions that allow for challenges on the constitutionality of legislative actions. That you are unwilling or ineffective at using them is your own problem.
Quote:Let's see if the atheists on this board can discuss the 2 questions honestly, without abusing those who disagree with them and let's see them bring good arguments supported by evidence without turning everything into a discussion on religious views. if you maike a comment be prepared to answer the question--Why.
This is strictly a political discussion on democracy and who it applies to, though religious views may enter in they cannot derail this thread.
Oh please. Get over yourself. See what Shell said in the above post.
Posts: 6300
Threads: 78
Joined: May 14, 2011
Reputation:
82
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Democracy doesn't fail. You do.
What about women, slaves, single parents etc. etc. Minorities who demanded humane treatment, but do you feel that they asked for too much? Did the democratic system fail e.g. when women got the right to vote?
When I was young, there was a god with infinite power protecting me. Is there anyone else who felt that way? And was sure about it? but the first time I fell in love, I was thrown down - or maybe I broke free - and I bade farewell to God and became human. Now I don't have God's protection, and I walk on the ground without wings, but I don't regret this hardship. I want to live as a person. -Arina Tanemura
Posts: 12229
Threads: 125
Joined: January 11, 2010
Reputation:
45
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 6:24 pm
Here are two famous quotations which may help with your question:
Thomas Jefferson: A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where 51 percent of the people may take away the rights of the other 49.
Winston Churchill: Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.
Comparing the Universal Oneness of All Life to Yo Mama since 2010.
I was born with the gift of laughter and a sense the world is mad.
Posts: 90
Threads: 5
Joined: May 3, 2012
Reputation:
5
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 6:46 pm
(This post was last modified: May 9, 2012 at 6:47 pm by DeeTee.)
(May 9, 2012 at 5:26 pm)Shell B Wrote: DeeTee, you cannot demand certain behavior or posts from any other member of this forum. People can have their religious views enter in all they want without you having the power or right to do a single fucking thing about it. I resent you trying to dictate how our members behave.
As for the topic at hand, your questions actually don't address "democracy failing" at all. You're talking about one specific issue and how only a percentage feel about it. I don't think democracy has failed. I think the bulk of people involved in stopping gay marriage are nosy assholes.
So you will deny democracy to the majority when they go against your wishes.
(May 9, 2012 at 5:46 pm)Kayenneh Wrote: Democracy doesn't fail. You do.
What about women, slaves, single parents etc. etc. Minorities who demanded humane treatment, but do you feel that they asked for too much? Did the democratic system fail e.g. when women got the right to vote?
What about them? Seems you want to discuss apples when we are talking about oranges.
Posts: 7388
Threads: 168
Joined: February 25, 2009
Reputation:
45
RE: When Democracy Fails
May 9, 2012 at 6:50 pm
(May 9, 2012 at 5:23 pm)Annik Wrote: First, let me ask, how do you feel about interracial marriage?
Sorry Annik,that's a strawman.
|