Princeton does study and concludes America is an Oligarchy not a Democracy

[werepossum]

What made us a great nation? When the South had slavery, when women and minorities were treated as second class citizen or worse? You really think the little folks had power back in the days? The rich and powerful had always ruled this country and will be for the foreseeable future.

That's a good point applicable to any nation. Today we have the liberal media, but there are a plethora of other sources and viewpoints readily available. Time was your only sources of news were gossip and newspapers, and in most places there was but one newspaper and perhaps a few small distribution private broadsheets. Rich people owned the newspapers and could (and did) provide any slant they wished, without fear or contradiction. People won't die for your right to keep slaves? Fine, frame it as states' rights and the distant, powerful elite removing individuals' rights. That'll bring some rifles.

One can switch to Marxism, but that only results in the party faithful becoming the powerful ones who run everything - and rapidly becoming the rich as well.

 

[Zorkorist]

What made us a great nation, was the chance to live the American Dream. Work hard, feed your family, succeed. Hope the next generation does even better.

We were once free, to pursue life, liberty, and happiness.

Today, children are born, some $56,000 in debt. They have no free will, other than working hard enough, for someone, to satisfy their debt to society.

Government, is going to inspect their Ketchup. Government, is going to warn them about smoking. Government, is going to put 38 cameras at every fucking intersection.

Government, is going to make it so felons can't get a job (minimum wage.) Government, is going to incarcerate people for smoking pot (being obnoxious.) Government is going to piss your pants and shit you.

-John