America, the new Rome?

[Chlorine]

Inkeepingsecret---Surprising to read that many aren't in favour of Bush. In your opinion, what sort of Americans voted for Bush? Maybe a profile....

[Innova]

after rome, there was england, after england, there was america, and after america, there will always be someone else...

people are never happy with what they have, they find the need to have more, and grow, expand and develop... eventually... one nation will overpower others, until one day, it will overpower all...

many people wonder, if the ideals which are set to be protected are in the early teachings of democracy, why do we not protect justice and freedom, but rather seek to claim superiority and dominance over other countries?

we must first look at the superpower before rome, the one who started it all, the one who set an example for all other nations, and called it "democracy"...

democracy first originated in ancient greece... way before the roman empire even existed... greece at this time was composed of independent city-states in which each was similar to a country... the most powerful city-state at this time was athens... it taxed all other city-states for "manditory" protection against the persian armies... no city-state dare question the power of athens... all except for one... the island of milos...

a ship was sent from athens to milos for the purpose of collecting a sum of gold for tax... when it landed there, the king refused to pay the gold... he said (this is documented)

(king of milos) my brother.. are we not from the same blood? do we not speak the same tongue? are we not all equal? shurly we can sit down and talk about this matter...

(sailor from athens) between unequals, there can be no dialog, only between equals can there be a dialog... we can sit and talk as much as you like, until i convince you, and if not by my words, then by my weapons...

the king of milos was insulted that a simple sailor from athens had called him "unequal" and implied that the king of milos was less worthy than a sailor... he rejected the sailor's request for gold and ordered him off the island...

within days, over 600 war ships from athens landed on the island of milos... on day 3, all the men were killed, the buildings in ruins, the women raped, and both women and children taken as slaves.. on top of where the palace stood, a gold coin was placed... symbolizing the mark of athens... and to set an example to all who would dare do the same...

over 10,000 years later... democracy has not changed one bit... people are free to say whatever the goverment lets them... milestones of conquests have been marked by those who want more than oil, money, land, power... but control... after all.. what worries does the puppeteer have, if the world is his puppet?

This is the truth, and so sad at the same time...

[shh!]

Inkeepingsecret---Surprising to read that many aren't in favour of Bush. In your opinion, what sort of Americans voted for Bush? Maybe a profile....

Are you not an American, Chlorine? The reason I ask is because there is such a clear-cut picture of what a Bush voter "looks like" that I am surprised you would ask, unless of course, perhaps you are from another country.

[bluesummer]

Well, being from Canada, my idea of what an average Bush voter 'looks like' goes a little something like this: Caucasian, over 40, lower to middle income, little to average education, very religious (usually Christian), often redneck, from the mid to southern states. Am I really far off? (Of course, I realize this is not all-encompassing, but this is a general view we seem to have up here).

[shh!]

That pretty much covers it, except for the rich, corporate folks and small business owners who are looking for tax breaks. But yes, your picture exemplifies the voters who made the difference.

[Ekips]

Not much we can do now but wait till he's out of office, seeing as he was voted twice. All we can do is wait, if we protest, it's not like he's gonna be re-elected.

[nomas]

I'm with the liberals..I hope that was predictable.

Yet..where I work, most people are conservatives, republicans. This will go against summer's picture of the average Bush supporter, but where I work the people are educated. But maybe not in the same way as us.

They are mostly ex-military. They are mostly uppper-middle class, as there aren't many places to work in the professional field in my area of the state, so if you work here, you're probably better off than most of the town..but not by comparison to the rest of the nation.

They are socially conservative. I think this is the biggest swing that republicans have. That's why I have such beef against organized religion now. A lot of Christians will vote republican because they push themselves as the "moral" choice. One of the admins here at work was pushing for Bush, saying she liked his morals. This is their bargaining chip. They criticize Clinton for his sexcapades. Such UNIMPORTANT things in my book. What the hell do I care where my president sticks his pecker?

I think a lot of us feel the same frustration. Why do so many people allow themselves to be so blind?? Why are so many people sheep? ESPECIALLY: why are so many people so PASSIONATE about it?

Damn.

Have a nice weekend.

[shh!]

Military people are usually more "Republican" because Republicans tend to want to have a big, strong military and would rather put money THERE than into social programs.

I become very irritated with the whole "superior morality" claim Republicans make, as I recognize that EVERYTHING about politics reflects a moral stance. Why is it more "moral" to hate homosexuals so much that you are willing to deny them civil rights (a central issue around the last election) than it is to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and house the poor? I just can't stand the self-righteous hypocrisy.

[GrkScorp]

shh! for president!!!

[Junket]

Yeah but look at Hillary Clinton and her people pushin' for more censorship.

Both parties suck.

I registered with the Choi party.

[bluesummer]

They are socially conservative. I think this is the biggest swing that republicans have. That's why I have such beef against organized religion now. A lot of Christians will vote republican because they push themselves as the "moral" choice. One of the admins here at work was pushing for Bush, saying she liked his morals. This is their bargaining chip. They criticize Clinton for his sexcapades. Such UNIMPORTANT things in my book. What the hell do I care where my president sticks his pecker?

I think a lot of us feel the same frustration. Why do so many people allow themselves to be so blind?? Why are so many people sheep? ESPECIALLY: why are so many people so PASSIONATE about it?

Damn.

Have a nice weekend.

I agree with you fully, nomas, and it's really aggravating to me as well. Here in Canada, we've had a liberal government for quite awhile (amen). However, the conservatives here have started to make a big push and have gained ground, and it's been scaring the hell out of me. Especially because their big selling point is the fact they make it very well known that they are 'Christians' following 'core religious values'. Whatever happened to the separation of church and state?

I hope to God that at least some of those dumb ****ers that voted Bush in are seeing the light after all those American soldiers have been killed for nothing. Democrats all the way!

[Late_vamp]

i Just hope the USA doesnt turn into the some EMPIRE ...to tell you the truth , i just CAN'T wait for it to crumble . No offence , i dont really hate the american ppl in general , i just hate the way their goverment and laws are , no drinking till 21 !!! But please , buy guns and ammo the second your 18 !!! STUPID ... Bush seems to me like this >>

[Junket]

I could care less about the drinkin' thing.

But I'll be damned if I wasn't allowed to buy a gun if I wanted to.

[whaywardj]

I could care less about the drinkin' thing.

But I'll be damned if I wasn't allowed to buy a gun if I wanted to.

A perfect representation of the Bush voter, Fras, and all he stands for. Good job.

[shh!]

Yeah but look at Hillary Clinton and her people pushin' for more censorship.

Both parties suck.

I registered with the Choi party.

Are you talking about her stance on financial penalties for retailers who sell violent and sexually explicit video games to kids? Meh - it's just a ploy to gain ground with the conservatives. Unfortunately, our system is set up where you have to choose between the lesser of two evils, and I'd take Hillary over Bush any day.

BTW - I am not a Democrat, either. I am registered Independent, but usually vote for progressive candidates. Actually, though, I think ideally there is a balance of power between the two parties, as it keeps them both from going too far off the deep end. What we have now is truly frightening.