Democracy doesn't mean "nice guys" though it just means you get to choose your leadership.
American border controls have always been a bugger to non U.S citizens.
A country can be absolute cunts to the rest of the world as (america has at times) and still be called democratic if said people acting like cunts were elected.
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Cerebus Sticky! Sticky! Stick! Stick!, Mon 17 Oct 2011, 9:22,
Reply)
ive been to the US a few times
pre-9/11 admittedly,but never had any bother
Cunts?yes they are....those in power anyway
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strictlyrockers hasnt been on here for ages, Mon 17 Oct 2011, 9:31,
Reply)
If by "choose your leadership" you mean pick one of a narrow selection of rich fellas who all broadly share the same ideology (neoliberalism) and are unduly influenced by corporate money
then yes, Britain and America are democracies.
That's not my definition of democracy, but hey - whatever floats your vote.
(, Mon 17 Oct 2011, 9:51, Reply)
I wouldn't lump American and British democracies in the shame boat.
In the UK you have 3 main parties plus numerous smaller ones that cover the traditional political spectrum from left to right.
But if none of those parties fits your ideology you can easily run as an independent.
www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/22/how-to-become-an-mp
Ok you'll have to find 10 people to support you and if you poll less than 5% you'll lose your £500 deposit but it's hardly american levels of money.
British politics is not perfect but it's a damn site better and less corrupt than american politics.
Don't lump them in together. Aside from a common language America and the UK are vastly different countries.
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Cerebus Sticky! Sticky! Stick! Stick!, Mon 17 Oct 2011, 11:44,
Reply)
well no they aren't the same, but the point about the 3 main parties sharing one general belief system stands.
Also: liberalconspiracy.org/2010/05/13/an-illustration-of-private-school-intake-of-the-new-cabinet/
The above doesn't look particularly good, but is unsurprising for the Tories I suppose. Below is a few links about party funding now that mass membership has collapsed over the last 20 years. Theoretically you are correct about anyone being an MP but I can't see how you can compete with the media exposure the Big Three possess. Edit: just remembered that one Independent did get elected a few years ago, so well done to him.
www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/stuart-weir/uk-party-funding-bite-bullet-or-remain-biased
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/2010/11/26/party-funding-reforms-are-overdue-in-the-uk-but-they-should-not-be-rushed/
NuLabour had 13 years and an unprecedented electoral mandate - yet during this time they kowtowed to the likes of NewsCorp and presided over a growth in inequality unseen since the Edwardian period as well as the deregulation of finance. Red, blue or yellow, big business wins.
But you are absolutely correct about us not being America.
Henceforth I promise not to talk party politics here. We come to /links for funtiemz not to be reminded of all this shit. Promise.
(, Mon 17 Oct 2011, 12:26, Reply)