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Why do you think the US government is sick? It's certainly not perfect, but would you really prefer any previous or existing government over what we have?

mkirklions 9y ago
Every country over a long enough time-span becomes sick and corrupt IMO. I think when you are the world's only superpower, the worst of the world has gotten involved in the US's affairs. Prior to my birth, the president's role was limited and congress wasnt as paid for by lobbyists.
- TheAceOfHearts 9y ago
  I'm not an expert on history, but I don't think that holds true, at least based on my limited knowledge. As I understand it, we've always had a government partially beholden to certain large interests, but it's offset by having to maintain some level of restraint on behalf the public interest. If we look back at our government's founding, we have large interest groups pushing to maintain horrible things such as slavery. But eventually we moved past that. I won't claim that things couldn't be better; we certainly have a lot of room for improvement. But I don't think we're doing as poorly as many people would like to believe.
namlem 9y ago
Are you kidding? I would jump at the chance to implement New Zealand's system in the US and throw ours in the trash where it belongs.
- TheAceOfHearts 9y ago
  No, I'm quite serious. Can you explain why you think that? What aspects of New Zealand's government do you favor over the US? And to maintain a balanced view, are there any aspects of it that you'd criticize?
  - namlem 9y ago
    New Zealand has mixed member proportional representation, which is explained well in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT0I-sdoSXU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT0I-sdoSXU The US's political system is extremely antiquated, and is not at all appropriate for a post-industrial economy. We do have a few nice things though, like a very strong protection for speech. Arguably too strong right now though, as it gives corporations nearly unlimited rights to influence elections.

mkirklions 9y ago

Every country over a long enough time-span becomes sick and corrupt IMO. I think when you are the world's only superpower, the worst of the world has gotten involved in the US's affairs. Prior to my birth, the president's role was limited and congress wasnt as paid for by lobbyists.

TheAceOfHearts 9y ago
I'm not an expert on history, but I don't think that holds true, at least based on my limited knowledge. As I understand it, we've always had a government partially beholden to certain large interests, but it's offset by having to maintain some level of restraint on behalf the public interest. If we look back at our government's founding, we have large interest groups pushing to maintain horrible things such as slavery. But eventually we moved past that. I won't claim that things couldn't be better; we certainly have a lot of room for improvement. But I don't think we're doing as poorly as many people would like to believe.

namlem 9y ago

Are you kidding? I would jump at the chance to implement New Zealand's system in the US and throw ours in the trash where it belongs.

TheAceOfHearts 9y ago
No, I'm quite serious. Can you explain why you think that? What aspects of New Zealand's government do you favor over the US? And to maintain a balanced view, are there any aspects of it that you'd criticize?
- namlem 9y ago
  New Zealand has mixed member proportional representation, which is explained well in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT0I-sdoSXU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT0I-sdoSXU The US's political system is extremely antiquated, and is not at all appropriate for a post-industrial economy. We do have a few nice things though, like a very strong protection for speech. Arguably too strong right now though, as it gives corporations nearly unlimited rights to influence elections.