Do Governments Represent Their People?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You see, Gawd, you're not fooling anybody.

[Gawd]

Completely ludicrous.

Governments are governments. That's it. In many places in the world, there's often a very large percentage of people who don't like who's there at any given time. I not only voted against Bush but gave money to his opponent, and I'm still of the opinion that he was a national disgrace. Yes, he was the head of my government. But the idea that I personally was represented by him is not just insulting, it's silly.

Are you assuming all governments are efficient anough to represent all their people? I didn't know you were such a collectivist, Gawd!

I guess all I need to know about you can be learned by looking at the Canadian government. They represent you, after all.

Since this is your thread, maybe I should go ahead and pull a Godwin. The 2nd largest party in Germany in the early 1930s was the communists. There was also a rather large Jewish population. But Hitler clawed his way to power at the expense of who knows how many German lives, and survived quite a few German assassination attempts. So the German people were one and all represented by him? Or was his government just the one in power, until it wasn't?

I think you're just looking for excuses to hate people along with their leaders - even if the people you hate don't like their leaders much more than you do. 'Cause that's what you do: you hate people.

You can learn a lot about me by looking at the Canadian government. They are my representatives after all, even if I as an individual don't agree with some issues.

Hitler and the Nazis represented the people of Germany and its resentment against the injustices the German people felt were dealt to them in WWI. Even if you didn't agree with Hitler or the Nazis, they were still the leaders of the people of Germany.

I think you don't get the concept of representation.

[Ian]

Sure I get it. But in contrast to what you said in the OP, what it does does not necessarily reflect on who I am. Not by a mile.

[Gawd]

Sure I get it. But in contrast to what you said in the OP, what it does does not necessarily reflect on who I am. Not by a mile.

You reap the rewards of your government as well as bear the responsibility.

[Gawd]

Gawd - I understand what you're getting at, and the answer is no. We do not have a representative government in the United States of America. We pretend to a lie because it's easy to do so. But our own government left most citizens behind decades ago. Look into gerrymandering of US congressional districts. In 85% of all congressional elections, the incumbent wins. The incumbent is the hand-picked candidate of the political party that controls the district. Districts are gerrymandered so that one-party voters hand over control of the district. Which has the effect of freeing US congressmen to do anything they want, which is to represent the powers that be.

US senators are even more removed from accountability, and were at one time political appointments. Which the teabaggers seem to think is a better idea, thus showing that teabagger grassroots are actually astroturfs for the powerful who would like to have senators back as political appointments.

US presidential elections are a farce too. They give people the illusion of having a say, but the fact is that our president has very little actual power. Yes, the president represents us on the world stage, but s/he doesn't really represent anyone.

But you know all that and you're being an ass anyway...

They are still your leaders.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You can learn a lot about me by looking at the Canadian government.

They're murderous cowards then?

[Gawd]

You can learn a lot about me by looking at the Canadian government.

They're murderous cowards then?

If you can justify it.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

You can learn a lot about me by looking at the Canadian government.

They're murderous cowards then?

If you can justify it.

You admit to being a mirror of your government. So I guess we should blame them for the way you came out.

[Ian]

So the teabaggers are responsible for Obama, and what he does is merely a reflection of who they are? Try telling them that. Oh wait - you already tried with Warren Dew.

Here's one stereotype I will say about American culture: as diverse as it is, there always has been and remains a strong streak of individualism in its people. Which is why this sort of collectivist thinking isn't going to go over too well down here. The idea that Bush represented who I am personally, just as much as Obama does, is just plain dumb. And I'm willing to bet that the same goes for people in most countries.

[amused]

Gawd - I understand what you're getting at, and the answer is no. We do not have a representative government in the United States of America. We pretend to a lie because it's easy to do so. But our own government left most citizens behind decades ago. Look into gerrymandering of US congressional districts. In 85% of all congressional elections, the incumbent wins. The incumbent is the hand-picked candidate of the political party that controls the district. Districts are gerrymandered so that one-party voters hand over control of the district. Which has the effect of freeing US congressmen to do anything they want, which is to represent the powers that be.

US senators are even more removed from accountability, and were at one time political appointments. Which the teabaggers seem to think is a better idea, thus showing that teabagger grassroots are actually astroturfs for the powerful who would like to have senators back as political appointments.

US presidential elections are a farce too. They give people the illusion of having a say, but the fact is that our president has very little actual power. Yes, the president represents us on the world stage, but s/he doesn't really represent anyone.

But you know all that and you're being an ass anyway...

They are still your leaders.

Um, okay. I forgot. What country are you from that is so perfect?

[Gawd]

You admit to being a mirror of your government. So I guess we should blame them for the way you came out.

Not a mirror, represented.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Um, okay. I forgot. What country are you from that is so perfect?

Gawd infests Canada.

[Gawd]

Um, okay. I forgot. What country are you from that is so perfect?

Gawd infests Canada.

Better than the US, I don't have to help pay back $14 trillion in debt.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Um, okay. I forgot. What country are you from that is so perfect?

Gawd infests Canada.

Better than the US, I don't have to help pay back $14 trillion in debt.

Nope, you don't have to do anything. Just hide up there. You've peaked at pip-squeak.

[Ian]

Um, okay. I forgot. What country are you from that is so perfect?

Gawd infests Canada.

Better than the US, I don't have to help pay back $14 trillion in debt.

You will after the invasion.