Direct democracy -refer Switzerland- is a form of government in which people collectively make decisions for themselves, rather than having their political affairs decided by representatives.
Representative democracy stands in contrast to the direct form in that the represented can only act indirectly with decisive authority vested in a subset of people.
The USA is a Republic which is similar to representative democracy; ie. A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president...
The important difference is that you do not make any decisions but your 'elected representative' does so on 'your' behalf.
They look after your interests real good, don't they?
So it is a lot more than the difference between various types of apples.
Despite many crackdowns over the years, camcorder piracy is still alive and bringing the latest blockbusters to the masses. What is perhaps less well-known is that this is not a new phenomenon. There are documented instances of camming dating back to just after World War I. Cammers in 1920 were as cunning as their modern-day counterparts and had to contend with surprisingly sophisticated anti-piracy measures.
It's hard to imagine how the outrageous attempt by anti-choice lawmakers to redefine rape as a way to block access to safe and legal abortions could get any worse. But this week we found out just how far the most recent radical assault on women could go.
Recent testimony to a House taxation subcommittee confirmed the same bill that seeks to redefine rape (the "Stop Taxpayer Funded Abortions Act" or H.R. 3), would force the IRS to audit how women paid for an abortion.
And in some cases, the bill would force women who were sexually assaulted into the hellish scenario of proving to IRS agents that they were victims of "forcible rape" or incest.
Tell Congress: Say no to IRS abortion audits!
A tax expert quoted by Mother Jones magazine explains that under the tax provisions of H.R. 3, anyone who receives a tax deduction or credit for health care costs that include abortion care could face an audit to determine whether that care was related to a case of rape or incest. And the burden of proof during that audit would fall on the taxpayer.
I am not a US citizen but I have been following US news via Reddit, Techdirt and various other blogs, sites and news aggregators for a while now and my take on the US is this: Greed, Paranoia and Self interest. Oh, and stupidity but I will be generous and call it ignorance.
Your President has no power due to debts owed. Your politicians are corrupt as are your corporations who are those corrupting. I mean, corporations as individuals. When will they be allowed to vote and how many votes will they get?
Your Christian based religions have forfeited the right to be called Christians.
Your military and political leadership is a laughing stock.
The major military successes you have enjoyed in the last 60 years have been against small island countries and client states. Any country you have invaded which has a population armed with equivalent small arm's has either fought you to a stalemate eg. Iraq, Afghanistan or kicked your butt eg. Somalia
I won't even mention Vietnam.
You don't deal with terrorists. North Korea? How much fuel oil did you ship there after they detonated the bomb?
And what about your vaunted Constitution. It is observed when convenient and ignored otherwise.
Your Democracy? Your country is a Republic. It is not now and never was a Democracy. I say here and now that by 2030 your country will be a theocracy.
I could go on about your forcing other countries to adopt your laws or how your corporations abuse the laws of the countries they operate in and so on but why bother. All I care about is that I don't live there and I am glad of that.
I am not a US citizen but I have been following US news via Reddit, Techdirt and various other blogs, sites and news aggregators for a while now and my take on the US is this: Greed, Paranoia and Self interest. Oh, and stupidity but I will be generous and call it ignorance.
Your President has no power due to debts owed. Your politicians are corrupt as are your corporations who are those corrupting. I mean, corporations as individuals. When will they be allowed to vote and how many votes will they get?
Your Christian based religions have forfeited the right to be called Christians.
Your military and political leadership is a laughing stock.
The major military successes you have enjoyed in the last 60 years have been against small island countries and client states. Any country you have invaded which has a population armed with equivalent small arm's has either fought you to a stalemate eg. Iraq, Afghanistan or kicked your butt eg. Somalia
I won't even mention Vietnam.
You don't deal with terrorists. North Korea? How much fuel oil did you ship there after they detonated the bomb?
And what about your vaunted Constitution. It is observed when convenient and ignored otherwise.
Your Democracy? Your country is a Republic. It is not now and never was a Democracy. I say here and now that by 2030 your country will be a theocracy.
I could go on about your forcing other countries to adopt your laws or how your corporations abuse the laws of the countries they operate in and so on but why bother. All I care about is that I don't live there and I am glad of that.
It is not a retelling of the War of the Ring. It picks up the story after the war is over and while the ‘good guy’s’ are mopping up in Mordor.
There are one or two short flashbacks
It tells a tale from the perspective of ‘opposition to the rule of Gondor’ in Middle Earth.
It is worth a read as it is better then fan fiction but is not from a polished professional. Call it written by a talented amateur who needs an editor.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by jon.
Re: Re: Re: SOPA isn't for parasites of "the wider internet industry"!
Representative democracy stands in contrast to the direct form in that the represented can only act indirectly with decisive authority vested in a subset of people.
The USA is a Republic which is similar to representative democracy; ie. A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president...
The important difference is that you do not make any decisions but your 'elected representative' does so on 'your' behalf.
They look after your interests real good, don't they?
So it is a lot more than the difference between various types of apples.
Re: SOPA isn't for parasites of "the wider internet industry"!
sopa
The land of privilege -A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to one person or group of people.
The home of laughing-stock -An object of jokes or ridicule.
Have you never wondered why your Government changes between Conservative and Liberal but your countries policies remain the same?
Camming in the 1920's and how they tried to stop it...
Australia censorship
Re: Re: Smartphones as bombs and other US behaviour (as jonakajon)
smartphones and bombs... (as jonakajon)
America...
It's hard to imagine how the outrageous attempt by anti-choice lawmakers to redefine rape as a way to block access to safe and legal abortions could get any worse. But this week we found out just how far the most recent radical assault on women could go.
Recent testimony to a House taxation subcommittee confirmed the same bill that seeks to redefine rape (the "Stop Taxpayer Funded Abortions Act" or H.R. 3), would force the IRS to audit how women paid for an abortion.
And in some cases, the bill would force women who were sexually assaulted into the hellish scenario of proving to IRS agents that they were victims of "forcible rape" or incest.
Tell Congress: Say no to IRS abortion audits!
A tax expert quoted by Mother Jones magazine explains that under the tax provisions of H.R. 3, anyone who receives a tax deduction or credit for health care costs that include abortion care could face an audit to determine whether that care was related to a case of rape or incest. And the burden of proof during that audit would fall on the taxpayer.
Land of the rapist...home of the criminal
Please tell me this is a joke
Smartphones as bombs and other US behaviour (as jonakajon)
Your President has no power due to debts owed. Your politicians are corrupt as are your corporations who are those corrupting. I mean, corporations as individuals. When will they be allowed to vote and how many votes will they get?
Your Christian based religions have forfeited the right to be called Christians.
Your military and political leadership is a laughing stock.
The major military successes you have enjoyed in the last 60 years have been against small island countries and client states. Any country you have invaded which has a population armed with equivalent small arm's has either fought you to a stalemate eg. Iraq, Afghanistan or kicked your butt eg. Somalia
I won't even mention Vietnam.
You don't deal with terrorists. North Korea? How much fuel oil did you ship there after they detonated the bomb?
And what about your vaunted Constitution. It is observed when convenient and ignored otherwise.
Your Democracy? Your country is a Republic. It is not now and never was a Democracy. I say here and now that by 2030 your country will be a theocracy.
I could go on about your forcing other countries to adopt your laws or how your corporations abuse the laws of the countries they operate in and so on but why bother. All I care about is that I don't live there and I am glad of that.
Smartphones as bombs and other US behaviour (as jonakajon)
Your President has no power due to debts owed. Your politicians are corrupt as are your corporations who are those corrupting. I mean, corporations as individuals. When will they be allowed to vote and how many votes will they get?
Your Christian based religions have forfeited the right to be called Christians.
Your military and political leadership is a laughing stock.
The major military successes you have enjoyed in the last 60 years have been against small island countries and client states. Any country you have invaded which has a population armed with equivalent small arm's has either fought you to a stalemate eg. Iraq, Afghanistan or kicked your butt eg. Somalia
I won't even mention Vietnam.
You don't deal with terrorists. North Korea? How much fuel oil did you ship there after they detonated the bomb?
And what about your vaunted Constitution. It is observed when convenient and ignored otherwise.
Your Democracy? Your country is a Republic. It is not now and never was a Democracy. I say here and now that by 2030 your country will be a theocracy.
I could go on about your forcing other countries to adopt your laws or how your corporations abuse the laws of the countries they operate in and so on but why bother. All I care about is that I don't live there and I am glad of that.
Reimagining Lord of the Rings (as jonakajon)
There are one or two short flashbacks
It tells a tale from the perspective of ‘opposition to the rule of Gondor’ in Middle Earth.
It is worth a read as it is better then fan fiction but is not from a polished professional. Call it written by a talented amateur who needs an editor.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by jon.
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