Why do Americans,who repeat the mantra about democracy all over the world, think it is ok to have political dynasties?

[moondog]

I mean,what the hell gave Dubya or Hillary the right to be in the White House beyond the fact that a relatave got there first?

In Hillary's case,it seems such a betrayal of her feminist convictions. I jsy don't geddit.

Still, good to see Obama doing well in Iowa. Maybe there is hope yet?

good question

I don't think Hillary will be the next President because of this. George Bush was not elected because he was his father's son but because he had been a successful Governer. I think that people are concerned about this and won't let it happen any further than it has done.

Because it is a mantra, not a reality
It's a total illusion
Moondog I have linked to this on another thread (hi it's Pruni btw) but I find things like this pander to my slightly paranoiac side very nicely The Century of the Self
He did another series called The Politics of Fear as well, about the Cold War and Al Qaeda and the Neocons.
They are all downloadable (they were made by and for the BBC btw, I am not a total loon linking to some guy's random outpourings on the web!).

Because American is run by the same dynasty that rules the UK etc. There is no democracy and free elections in our countries. It is all a sham. We are ruled by elitists who all have the same goals.

You only get to be prime minister or president if you are one of them. Usually the leaders of both parties are members of the elite. That way it doesn't matter who we vote for...they win.

The Bushes and the Clintons all play ball for THE EXACT SAME TEAM. And Blair, Brown, and Cameron are all on that team as well. They all have the same bosses. Obama is one.

It sucks but that is the way it is. We are sheep.

GB senior pulled in some damned big senatorial favours to save GWB ass when it came to getting voted in
< so I've heard>

Think HC is not so bad, pretty competent politician by all acounts, one or two whiffs of corruption though. Barack, must read up know nuffink about him. Was there not some scandal about Edwards recently or was that just smears with no substance?

am terrified that freaky Huckabee is going to get in

Invade Pakistan FFS
Mentalist.

Why does someone, who seems otherwise to be reasonable posters, think that a free election constitutes a dynasty?

But, thank God for Obama's victory in Iowa yesterday. There is hope yet.

Hillary was always politically active though in that she had her pet policies and Bill was a conduit for furthering those.
THere were two biographies of HC out ?last summer, and I recall reading two very different reviews of her - one saying she was amazing and unnatural in her ability to remember people and how bright she must be (???), and another by Barbara Ehrenreich (whom I love) that was fascinating, about how she was a total amateur and pissed everyone off in her quest to gain control through Bill.
(Never read either of the biogs though. Must do.)

Gloria we do NOT have free elections.

I forgot to post my link correctly.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntJRasF_QGU

Surely the point about a democracy is that any citizen is eligible to stand, but they have to be voted in by the people. Which is exactly what is happening. At the moment she is up for election by party members. If she succeeds in getting that vote, she will face the vote of all the people. There have always been prominent political families in history. Hillary has just lost the vote in Iowa - surely that is democracy in action.
I think it is much, much more worrying that the successful Iowan Republican candidate is a creationist. And people called Dawkins paranoid!

Yes we do, Anne. But, people like to drum up conspiracy theories when they don't like the outcome.

I don't regard youtube as a credible news sourse. Also, am at work and can't really click on that just now.

But, I do know that if you are registered to vote you have a legal right to do so.

I think that if the Republicans put Huckabee forward as their candidate, then our next president will be a Democrat.

I am a Republican but I am staunchly opposed to:
Religeon in Politics (in the US)
Anti-abortion laws

I think the history of what constitutes democracy is fascinating. I think it is very telling that there are people on record who tell us that the political system we have today was totally and utterly designed with certain goals in mind - and none of them particularly honourable.
One person one vote has nothing to do with it.

America is a republic which is slightly different. Its why a presidential candidate can have more of the popular vote but not win. But I reckon it comes down to money. While theoretcially anyone could stand for congress, you need wealth and connections. If you become a senator, you still need them and its connections with wealthy political families that does it.
They are all shallow wankers anyhow. Met the cadidates for Gov of Virginia at a rally once (when I lived in the US). They started the 'we're intereted in you speil and were shaking my hand and saying nice things about my kids. So I pointed out I couldn't vote, being English. My hand was dropped and they just turned away. So rude. I did then tap one of them on the shoulder and remark 'but my husband is american and a voter and I will be telling him how rude you are.' That guy lost.
Huckabee is a scary looney.

I suspect that the US will vote in another Republican.

I must admit to not knowing a great deal about Huckerbee but if the US invades Iran we are all fucked.

I have heard from a few news sources - which may or may not be reliable - that Syria and Iran have plans to invade Israel in the very near future.

Happy new year to us all.

odd that Syria and Iran announce tis intention beforehand.....

nothing has been announced at all.

sad]

Intersting, Donnie. Why do you think the US will vote in a Republican? I think the only Republican who has a chance of winning is Rudy. And if anyone else is put forward through the Repulican primaries, then I think the democtart will win. So, I expect to see a Democrat.

I much prefer a Republican, but I don't expect it to happen. However, I am not so keen on the evangelical pro-lifers. I believe religeon should be kept out of politics in the US.

And I think Iran and Syria have had plans to invade Israel for decades. But, of course, they do realise that this could result in Word War III.

I'm rooting for John McCain. He probably won't be our next president. But he deserves to be.

However I wouldn't mind seeing Hillary or Obama in the whitehouse, and I think that if they were on a joint ticket they would be a force to be reckoned with.

I like McCain too. But, I think he has missed his boat. Pity we didn't vote him in when we voted George W. in.

If Iran or Syraia invaded Israel the US would have to intervene no matter which party takes hold of the White House.

I alaso think its a shame McCain didn't get in the first time. I think he is a good man and would make a good President.

I'd want someone who would make healthcare free like we have here in the UK. It was always a nigtmare when we lived in the US, being one illness away from bankruptcy.

The US is perfectly capable of rounding up more troops. They are called the reserves. My brother has been called to Iraq twice. He could certainly be called back up. And so could many more like him.

I am staunchly opposed to free state run medical care. STAUNCHLY. It will ruin the quality of the medical system, just like it has here in the UK.