We Are Not the People! by Charles H. Featherstone

[cousinlucky]

My oldest son sometimes describes me as a person that does not sugar coat what I say. What he is not saying, but what in reality is the truth, is that I do not talk to him like his mother. Women " sugar coat " life's realities to make them easier for youngsters to swallow.

Real men, on the other hand, realize that being blunt and serious makes a lasting impression on a young mind as to the specific gravity of the subject matter.

We Are Not the People is an article relating to the reality of government. It is not sugar coated - but it is nice enough for idealistic youngsters to digest.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/featherst...erstone61.html

[fingal]

Hi - I can't really comment much about the US so I'll leave that to you, but here in the UK cynicism about 'our rulers' is built into our way of thinking. I don't think many of us actually believe much of what we're told by these people, but there's something else. What that 'something else' is can be hard to define, but we know that change is possible ... We are idealistic and cynical at the same time: we are a nation of contradictions. We are many people joined together into a reluctant whole. Who are we? We don't know!

I grew up in the Midlands, unwittingly part of a tradition handed to me via my parents and by the rich landscape I grew up in. Alongside the popular music of the 80s and 90s, I would hang around the upstairs music venues and obscure little pubs I knew and listen to songs about Robin Hood, or the Tolpuddle Martyrs. The message in those songs (some old, some new) was, 'Stand up for what you believe in; join together and make a difference. Your leaders are foolish, but you are wise. Never forget that! You might feel helpless, but this will change.'

Not many people would articulate that: certainly not in a Linux forum!! I will remain a deluded and idealistic European. No: perhaps a government 'by the people for the people' will never be possible, but never underestimate the power of a dream. Once, long ago, an ape dreamed about walking on two legs: now we're all doing it!

[rcgreen]

It is a fact that we depend on the hope that those who
run the government can be convinced of the commonsense
idea that government should be limited in its scope.

I say "limited in its scope" rather than "limited in its power" or just
"limited". I mean that, although government must be able to
act vigorously in some areas, it should recognize that some
things are out of bounds.

Unfortunately, idealism knows no bounds, so, ironically,
it is idealists who become tyrants, while many Kings
observe reasonable limits on their sovereignty

[cousinlucky]

The many " perks " of government employment include being " above " the ordinary citizen. Being in the employ of the government means that the rules and the letter of the law does not apply to you.

Be you a policeman, judge, legislator, or sanitation worker: you get a hefty pension along with being in a class far above the ordinary citizen.

Is there a country in the world where this is not true??

It is one of the undesirable facts of being a human being; you can take advantage of others who are powerless to prevent you from doing so as long as you are part of the government.

Bribes, Kickbacks, Contributions etc. etc. etc. are all part and parcel of the process of " Government ". Even Staunch Idealists get caught up within the widespread existing system of corruption.

I wish it was not so; but I have seen and been around much too much of it to ever delude myself about just what is going on within " government " circles.

[CodeRoot]

..., but never underestimate the power of a dream. Once, long ago, an ape dreamed about walking on two legs: now we're all doing it!

Belief in [what this suggests] truely illustrates the power of a dream (as in, "dreamed up" --- possibly, while on drugs)...

Contrary to what a lot of people seem to believe, the "theory of evolution" is NOT science -- it is religion, and has NO basis in fact --- and, as such, I contend that - as long as there is a "no discussion of religion" rule on these forums - there should be no inferences/insinuations made to the 'evolution religion'...

(Not trying to put you on the spot, fingal... )

EDIT:
I know it's "just a bit" off topic -- but, "it just needed to be said"...

[fingal]

Belief in [what this suggests] truely illustrates the power of a dream (as in, "dreamed up" --- possibly, while on drugs)...

Contrary to what a lot of people seem to believe, the "theory of evolution" is NOT science -- it is religion, and has NO basis in fact --- and, as such, I contend that - as long as there is a "no discussion of religion" rule on these forums - there should be no inferences/insinuations made to the 'evolution religion'...

(Not trying to put you on the spot, fingal... )

EDIT:
I know it's "just a bit" off topic -- but, "it just needed to be said"...

Well, it's okay: I have no strong feelings in this matter. I'm just an ordinary man trying to live and pay the rent. We can't all be right though, and the truth is out there somewhere.

[cousinlucky]

Humankind is the one and only dysfunctional species on this entire planet.
A reality we steadily build upon each and every day; in every way!!
A truly helter-skelter existence.
We may be the one and only dysfunctional species in the entire universe.

[bigtomrodney]

Contrary to what a lot of people seem to believe, the "theory of evolution" is NOT science -- it is religion, and has NO basis in fact --- and, as such, I contend that - as long as there is a "no discussion of religion" rule on these forums - there should be no inferences/insinuations made to the 'evolution religion'...

As a man of science myself I must correct you here. Evolution is very much science and I cannot allow any pseudo-scientific scaremongering or right-wing christian political beliefs shunted in here.

Locked.