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> the US government isn't functioning for the benefit of the majority of the people it 'represents.' American democracy was never meant to benefit just the maj

> the US government isn't functioning for the benefit of the majority of the people it 'represents.' American democracy was never meant to benefit just the majority. Which is why we have undemocratic institutions (such as the Judiciary). Minorities (both long-standing and ephemeral -- e.g. a race of people versus the losing party in an election) exist and should be protected from the majority and should be represented in government. Only long-term, widely-held political thoughts can truly dominate minorities in this country. The fact that power swings from Republicans, back to Democrats, back to Republicans, and so on, illustrates that there is a very weak majority in this country and no consensus opinion on how to move forward. > Although the EU has its own sets of problems, but at the very least seems more representative of the people than the US government. From an outsiders perspective many aspects of the EU seem undemocratic and ad-hoc. Can you explain your view of the EU to me?

trophycase 7y ago
"The fact that power swings from Republicans, back to Democrats, back to Republicans, and so on, illustrates that there is a very weak majority in this country and no consensus opinion on how to move forward." I think it better illustrates how really these parties are mostly the same. As AOC said, the Democratic party is a center conservative party for the most part. Biden and Trump are a lot more similar than people would like to admit. Just look at Biden's comments about video games and you can see how much of a reactionary conservative he actually is.
nck4222 7y ago
>The fact that power swings from Republicans, back to Democrats, back to Republicans, and so on, illustrates that there is a very weak majority in this country That only holds true if you believe that the two political parties accurately represent the views of the people. Political views are a spectrum of opinions. Boiling them down to one of two parties means you lose the majority of views. In the end you vote with the party that most closely resembles your opinions, but because the US has two choices, the party you choose doesn't end up representing your beliefs in a lot of cases. It just represents your beliefs more frequently than the other one.
nybble41 7y ago
> Minorities ... exist and should be protected from the majority.... Only long-term, widely-held political thoughts can truly dominate minorities in this country. Indeed, which is why laws should be hard to pass and easy to repeal. The government should not be involved in anything which does not have the support of a clear supermajority. I would personally set the threshold at a minimum of 75-80% support required to enter a new law into the books, and at least 60% to keep it there following a formal challenge. I would also make the challenge automatic after about 20 years to ensure obsolete laws are pruned on a reasonable schedule.

trophycase 7y ago

"The fact that power swings from Republicans, back to Democrats, back to Republicans, and so on, illustrates that there is a very weak majority in this country and no consensus opinion on how to move forward." I think it better illustrates how really these parties are mostly the same. As AOC said, the Democratic party is a center conservative party for the most part. Biden and Trump are a lot more similar than people would like to admit. Just look at Biden's comments about video games and you can see how much of a reactionary conservative he actually is.

nck4222 7y ago

>The fact that power swings from Republicans, back to Democrats, back to Republicans, and so on, illustrates that there is a very weak majority in this country That only holds true if you believe that the two political parties accurately represent the views of the people. Political views are a spectrum of opinions. Boiling them down to one of two parties means you lose the majority of views. In the end you vote with the party that most closely resembles your opinions, but because the US has two choices, the party you choose doesn't end up representing your beliefs in a lot of cases. It just represents your beliefs more frequently than the other one.

nybble41 7y ago

> Minorities ... exist and should be protected from the majority.... Only long-term, widely-held political thoughts can truly dominate minorities in this country. Indeed, which is why laws should be hard to pass and easy to repeal. The government should not be involved in anything which does not have the support of a clear supermajority. I would personally set the threshold at a minimum of 75-80% support required to enter a new law into the books, and at least 60% to keep it there following a formal challenge. I would also make the challenge automatic after about 20 years to ensure obsolete laws are pruned on a reasonable schedule.