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The US Declaration of Independence stipulates: "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..." Thomas Jefferson, who authored these words, is believed to have been heavily influenced by the writings of John Locke, the great 17th century English philosopher who also wrote: "As soon as men decide that all means are permitted to fight an evil, then their good becomes indistinguishable from the evil which they set out to destroy." Another of the founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, penned these words: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
By their very nature Western Democracies tend to evolve into two-party systems as weaker alternatives over time become absorbed into stronger vehicles, go out of business, or are perpetually marginalized. This then presents the populace with a false dichotomy (the mistaken belief that one or the other party must be the only right choice), leading to further hardening of views along with the adopting of extreme positions. Too late it is discovered that the proper solution quite often may be found under 'none of the above'.
We can see that both 21st century US heads of state thus far organized massive bailouts for financial institutions deemed 'too big to fail', both organized surges in unpopular wars (one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan), both signed into law expensive & widely criticized health-care programs (Medicare Prescription Drugs Act, Health-care Reform Bill), while both oversaw record-breaking increases in spending and deficits. About the only thing remaining for the present-day half ofma-Bus to accomplish is another preemptive war (stay tuned).
Meanwhile in a continuing cycle of impossibly-high expectations, to be inevitably followed by failed hopes and widespread disillusionment, the populace scours the landscape as they desperately search for an earthly messiah who will deliver them from the troubles of today. It will remain a vain endeavor, though certainly proving to be a distraction for the masses!
By their very nature Western Democracies tend to evolve into two-party systems as weaker alternatives over time become absorbed into stronger vehicles, go out of business, or are perpetually marginalized. This then presents the populace with a false dichotomy (the mistaken belief that one or the other party must be the only right choice), leading to further hardening of views along with the adopting of extreme positions. Too late it is discovered that the proper solution quite often may be found under 'none of the above'.
We can see that both 21st century US heads of state thus far organized massive bailouts for financial institutions deemed 'too big to fail', both organized surges in unpopular wars (one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan), both signed into law expensive & widely criticized health-care programs (Medicare Prescription Drugs Act, Health-care Reform Bill), while both oversaw record-breaking increases in spending and deficits. About the only thing remaining for the present-day half ofma-Bus to accomplish is another preemptive war (stay tuned).
Meanwhile in a continuing cycle of impossibly-high expectations, to be inevitably followed by failed hopes and widespread disillusionment, the populace scours the landscape as they desperately search for an earthly messiah who will deliver them from the troubles of today. It will remain a vain endeavor, though certainly proving to be a distraction for the masses!
Does change ultimately equate with exchange?
Is the Afghanistan War Over? - and if so, what indeed was the real purpose behind it?
Is Obama A Congenital Liar & Sadistic Torturer? - and simply more polished at it than Bush?
"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. The chain reaction of evil must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the darkness of annihilation."--Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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