Is America Sliding Towards a Dictatorship?

[Billo_Really]

Originally Posted by GySgt
It's the burden of being a MOD. I have to tame my bite and try to refrain from crossing that line. Believe me....sometimes it is painful.

Bwahahahahaha...

 

[Pull My Finger]

The question is nonesense. Only dramatic partisan stooges are trying to find validity in something so rediculous. They simply do not know or simply don't care what a dictatorship is. It's pathetic.

Is that your idea of 'holding your tongue'?

So I am a dramatic, pathetic, partisan, stooge, asking a ridiculous, nonsense question?

Call it whatever you want - therocracy, oligarchy, dictatorship, whatever. The idea is a government that is totalitarian in nature.

It was a simple question. You've either read some of my other posts, or the question itself pisses you off to have come to your aggressive conclusion. You are very wrong on a few points.

1. I am the least partisan person here from what I have seen.
2. There are stupid questions. That wasn't one of them.
3. Dictatorships come in many forms, and I have a pretty good idea how they work.
4. You cannot tell the future.
5. Only highly partisan (or possibly conditioned) stooges would think that questioning the agenda of their government is nonsense.
6. Usually those who discredit a question with contemptuous mimicry, can't answer the question logically.

Otherwise, you were right on the money...

Peace

 

[Pull My Finger]

The continued existance of a process is not enough to decide what/where a country is going in terms to the state (democratic, dictatorship, etc), as that process can still betray and be used to harm us in the guise of helping us.

Nice post. This was my next point. I will simply add a quote..

“None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.” - Johann Wolfgang Goethe

Peace

 

[Pull My Finger]

Why don't you borrow the partisan tag line and declare the Patriot Act as stripping freedoms (despite the fact that 99.99999 percent of the population are completely unaffected).
Got anything?

I do.

The Patriot Act has loosely defined terrorism, and leaves it up to authorities to decide who is a terrorist.

As pulled from Amnesty International:

The law defines "domestic terrorism" as acts committed in the United States "dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws," if the US government determines that they "appear to be intended" to "influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion," or "to intimidate or coerce a civilian population."

Also, very few of those who voted on the Patriot Act even read it. Some did, and some of them are opposed to it.
Here's two.

Republican Ron Paul, Texas:
PATRIOT Act Should Ride Into the Sunset - by Ron Paul

Independent Bernie Sanders:
Congressman Bernie Sander

Furthermore, the FBI has already been implicated in abuses of said Act:
FBI abused Patriot Act powers, audit finds | Special reports | Guardian Unlimited
ABC7Chicago.com: Chicago FBI implicated in Patriot Act probe

If you honestly think the Patriot Act doesn't affect the average citizen, you haven't looked at it.

Just for fun let's look at Hitler's Enabling Act, and Reichstag Fire Decree...
Hitler's Enabling Act
Reichstag Fire Decree - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peace

 

[Pull My Finger]

my answer is not a poll option

I will answer after teh NEXT ELECTION:2wave:

There are a few answers similar to this.

However, it would likely be too late to do anything about it. Can you imagine freedom to assemble/speak remaining in place if Bush decided to stay in office?

That means protests could be crushed with brute force.

I find it quite hilarious/sad that the majority of people want to see 'proof' - like the gov't is going to tell us or something.

"Democracies die behind closed doors." - Judge Damon J. Keith.

Peace

 

[RightOfCenter]

There are a few answers similar to this.

However, it would likely be too late to do anything about it. Can you imagine freedom to assemble/speak remaining in place if Bush decided to stay in office?

That means protests could be crushed with brute force.

I find it quite hilarious/sad that the majority of people want to see 'proof' - like the gov't is going to tell us or something.


Peace

If he doesn't leave he will be deposed. That's all there is to it. As long as we still have our Second Amendment rights that is.

 

[Pull My Finger]

If he doesn't leave he will be deposed. That's all there is to it. As long as we still have our Second Amendment rights that is.

And if the 2nd is ammended for the duration of 'war time', with a WOT that has no end in sight? (hypothetically texting)

Also, as Travelsonic alluded, is it possible to have a 'faux democracy'?

IMO, the last two elections were already rigged, and EVM's are only gaining traction...

I don't vote on my own polls, but IMO, we are definitely headed into some kind of fascist dictatorship. Either that, or it's already here - it just hasn't beared its teeth yet...

Peace

 

[RightOfCenter]

And if the 2nd is ammended for the duration of 'war time', with a WOT that has no end in sight? (hypothetically texting)

I don't see the present administration ammending 2nd amendment rights.

IMO, the last two elections were already rigged, and EVM's are only gaining traction...

And IMO you're a conspiracist.

I don't vote on my own polls, but IMO, we are definitely headed into some kind of fascist dictatorship. Either that, or it's already here - it just hasn't beared its teeth yet...

Peace

We? You're from Canada!

 

[Pull My Finger]

I can't remember where this is from... I think it was some doctor and/or historian who came up with this list... it should be easy to verify...

Common Traits Amongst Fascist States.

1. Exuberant Nationalism
2. Enemies Identified
3. Rights Disappear
4. Secrecy Demanded
5. Military Glorified
6. Corporations Shielded
7. Corruption Unchecked
8. Media Controlled
9. Rampant Sexism
10. Intellectual Bullying
11. Militarized Police
12. Stolen Elections

I'm not suggesting that we exhibit ALL the characteristics, but I do think some are currently present in our own government.

What do you think?

Peace

 

[Pull My Finger]

I don't see the present administration ammending 2nd amendment rights.

It's a longshot, no doubt...

And IMO you're a conspiracist.

I can dig it. IMO, it's not such a bad thing...

We? You're from Canada!

Yeah... sometimes it's just easier to say 'we' than define my country from yours. I don't want to sound like an 'America Basher' either...

Peace

 

[Willow]

Fair enough. Judging by that statement, I would guess you voted 'absolutely not'. So I have a couple questions then:

1. Why do you think 'absolutely not'?
2. Why is it a nonsense question?

I was trying to stay out of this one for personal reasons but since Gunny is being a gentlemen I'll jump in.
1. I've had several members of my family killed in a civil war, I've seen what a dictatorship is and America is nowhere close to one. It's one of the reasons, I'm a proud immigrant (legal :mrgreen: ) of this country.
2. See above, anyone who has experienced a true dictatorship would not even consider comparing the US to one. There is simply no comparison. It is nonsense.

 

[RightOfCenter]

It's a longshot, no doubt...

Yup, yup. If Bush tried to overstay his term by even a day I would not hesitate to put a bullet through his head.

I can dig it. IMO, it's not such a bad thing...

Skepticism is never bad, but when you bite on every conspiracy it really hurts your credibility. But whatever floats your boat man, pass the kool aid!:mrgreen:

Yeah... sometimes it's just easier to say 'we' than define my country from yours. I don't want to sound like an 'America Basher' either...

Peace

Don't worry about any backlash for America Bashing from me, I'm confident enough in my country to take it.

 

[Pull My Finger]

I was trying to stay out of this one for personal reasons but since Gunny is being a gentlemen I'll jump in.

I don't see insinuating that I am a pathetic, partisan stooge as gentlemanly...

1. I've had several members of my family killed in a civil war, I've seen what a dictatorship is and America is nowhere close to one. It's one of the reasons, I'm a proud immigrant (legal :mrgreen: ) of this country.

I'm sorry about your family. I'm not saying America is a full on dictatorship. What I am saying is the 'groundwork' appears to be in motion...

2. See above, anyone who has experienced a true dictatorship would not even consider comparing the US to one. There is simply no comparison. It is nonsense.

While I can only use 1 person as referrence...
A lady I know barely escaped Germany during the 2nd WW. She commented to me how America 'scares the hell out of her' while referring to the current gov't. She went on to say that any German who saw Hitler's rise could almost mirror the current trend in American policy. (That's just her opinion)

Peace

 

[Pull My Finger]

Yup, yup. If Bush tried to overstay his term by even a day I would not hesitate to put a bullet through his head.

Can I co.ck it?

Skepticism is never bad, but when you bite on every conspiracy it really hurts your credibility. But whatever floats your boat man, pass the kool aid!:mrgreen:

Well I don't think I bite on every conspiracy. This'll probably sound ironic coming from me, but there are some real nuts out there... I mainly, almost exclusively, focus on the 'NWO', and its possible consequences to national independence.

Don't worry about any backlash for America Bashing from me, I'm confident enough in my country to take it.

I have absolutely nothing against Americans - it's your government I can't stand. By the looks of his approval rating, most Americans don't like him much either...

Peace

 

[Willow]

I don't see insinuating that I am a pathetic, partisan stooge as gentlemanly...

Sorry I missed that part..I was actually referring to his dealings with Maximus.

I have absolutely nothing against Americans - it's your government I can't stand. By the looks of his approval rating, most Americans don't like him much either.

Which is why America won't become a dictatorship. Irregardless of how much money or power a politician thinks he has, once he/she loses the approval of the public he/she is out.

 

[RightOfCenter]

Can I co.ck it?

Feel free:mrgreen: . Hopefully I'm not committing treason by saying this, but a president absolutely CAN NOT be allowed to overstay his term for ANY reason! Secret Servicemen reading, please at least pay attention to this before you black bag me!

Well I don't think I bite on every conspiracy. This'll probably sound ironic coming from me, but there are some real nuts out there... I mainly, almost exclusively, focus on the 'NWO', and its possible consequences to national independence.

At least you can admit it. And no you aren't the nuttiest conspiracy nut I've ever met, but you're up there!:mrgreen:

I have absolutely nothing against Americans - it's your government I can't stand. By the looks of his approval rating, most Americans don't like him much either...

Peace

True dat.

 

[Pull My Finger]

Which is why America won't become a dictatorship. Irregardless of how much money or power a politician thinks he has, once he/she loses the approval of the public he/she is out.

I have no doubts that the American public would never accept a totalitarian gov't.

My suggestion is that the 'tools' are being put into place virtually in secret. By the time the general public figures it out, the revolt will be a very ugly one, as freedom of speech/assembly may not exist to the levels we know today. Protestors would be treated as seen in say, China, or N. Korea, etc...

I would also suggest that a fascist regime could be 'cloaked' as a democracy. It wouldn't matter what party is voted into power, the 'shadow' gov't would be pulling the strings. I hate to use Orwell's 1984 as an example, but that is what I believe to be taking place right under our noses...

IE - the whole 'doublespeak' thing. How could anyone vote against The Patriot Act. The whole connotation is that you are not a patriot if you don't endorse it, yet it has all but destroyed the Constitution.

Rivrrat posted one of my favorite quotes here (i think).

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin

I am worried we are doing just that...

Peace

 

[Pull My Finger]

Feel free:mrgreen: . Hopefully I'm not committing treason by saying this, but a president absolutely CAN NOT be allowed to overstay his term for ANY reason! Secret Servicemen reading, please at least pay attention to this before you black bag me!

The Maricopa County Sherrif's Office in conjunction with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force put out a brochure a few years back. Scroll down a bit and you can view it on this site. You would fit into one of those categories, talking like that...
Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page - 2nd Amendment Supporters

At least you can admit it. And no you aren't the nuttiest conspiracy nut I've ever met, but you're up there!:mrgreen:

Yeah, I here it enough, and I know my opinions go against the grain... I've got (or developed :mrgreen: ) thick skin...

Peace

 

[Inuyasha]

Within 100 years democracy will become totally disfuntional and irrelavant. There will soon be too many people, to little food and people will have to be controlled. The fact is no one will really care. But the good news is none of us will be here.

If we had a dictatorship right now the dictator would be more like Cheney or FDR than like Bush for obvious reasons.

 

[ltb]

Is America sliding towards a dictatorship?

No, it's becoming an Idiocracy.

 

[Saboteur]

Is America sliding towards a dictatorship?

Nope. The american people still have a voice as we saw in the last elections.

What happens if I pull your finger?

 

[Inuyasha]

No, it's becoming an Idiocracy.

LOL a great description the the world we live in. Best line I've heard in a lomg time.

 

[Pull My Finger]

What happens if I pull your finger?

Sounds like Bush - only more eventful... :mrgreen:

Peace

 

[MSgt]

Is that your idea of 'holding your tongue'?

"Holding my tongue?" I wasn't aware I was supposed to hold my tongue. Especially against retarded questions. You see, there is a difference between "crossing the line" and holding one's tongue. It's not a difficult concept.

So I am a dramatic, pathetic, partisan, stooge, asking a ridiculous, nonsense question?

Well, when we actually apply a bit of comprehension towards my post we can easily see that...

1) I called the question nonesense and rediculous.
2) If you are trying to validate this nonesense/rediculous question, then that does imply a bit of partisan stoogery looking for dramatics.
3) And such behavior is pathetic.

So....where's the confusion here?

It was a simple question.

Extremely simple. History, past and present, is full of dictator governments. One can easily point them out and identify them. Such a question implies that the American people would simply stand by as their military (my kind) invade Washington and strip all of their rights as we commence head first into dictatorship. Voting booths, Congress would forever retire, and many government buildings would empty out.

Yes, it was a rediculous question.

 

[Inuyasha]

Extremely simple. History, past and present, is full of dictator governments. One can easily point them out and identify them. Such a question implies that the American people would simply stand by as their military (my kind) invade Washington and strip all of their rights as we commence head first into dictatorship. Voting booths, Congress would forever retire, and many government buildings would empty out.

Ever vigilant. This is a distict possiblity. We need to guard against it. The phrase "It can never happen in America." is obsolete thinking.