Flake wrote:When was the last time you wrote to your congressperson? Or your senator? Or sat down at a town hall meeting?
This kind of comment comes up a lot in American discussions about politics. It's always weird to me.
If I'm discussing Brazilian politics with my friends somewhere, no one suggests I should email a senator or deputy. No one even thinks that that is a feasible way to get your voice heard. Really, guys, do you really think you'll have any influence on a congressman?
Maybe it's a cultural remnant of the early American republic, when anyone could knock at the president's door and have a talk with him. It's still odd to me (not judging, just stating an impression).
Flake wrote:When was the last time you wrote to your congressperson? Or your senator? Or sat down at a town hall meeting?
This kind of comment comes up a lot in American discussions about politics. It's always weird to me.
If I'm discussing Brazilian politics with my friends somewhere, no one suggests I should email a senator or deputy. No one even thinks that that is a feasible way to get your voice heard. Really, guys, do you really think you'll have any influence on a congressman?
Maybe it's a cultural remnant of the early American republic, when anyone could knock at the president's door and have a talk with him. It's still odd to me (not judging, just stating an impression).
Well, the main theory behind our system of government is that we elect representatives to speak for our voice in congress. The only way they know what we want is for us to tell them, whether it come from surveys or direct letters to our representative. The system of political parties, however, means that you're not actually getting someone who represents the views of their community as much as you're just saying which package set of values you prefer. Not that many people can claim to fully support the Democratic or Republican platforms wholesale; usually they pick a party who's views they agree with the most.
Blizzard Entertainment Software Developer - All comments and views are my own and not representative of the company.
MrPopo wrote:Not that many people can claim to fully support the Democratic or Republican platforms wholesale; usually they pick a party who's views they agree with the most.
...or disagree with least, more likely. Of course, our politicians rarely actually act on the views they claim to hold when campaigning once they get into office, so it's all moot anyway. More like people vote for who ever pretends to hold those views.
MrPopo wrote:Not that many people can claim to fully support the Democratic or Republican platforms wholesale; usually they pick a party who's views they agree with the most.
...or disagree with least, more likely. Of course, our politicians rarely actually act on the views they claim to hold when campaigning, so it's all moot anyway.
That's a hole with no bottom. But yeah, it's a kind of messed up system. I'd vote Republican if it weren't for the huge influence the bible thumpers have in their party. My hatred for that platform outweighs my support for the other Republican views.
Blizzard Entertainment Software Developer - All comments and views are my own and not representative of the company.
MrPopo wrote: I'd vote Republican if it weren't for the huge influence the bible thumpers have in their party. My hatred for that platform outweighs my support for the other Republican views.
Lol, I know the same thing. How do I vote? I believe in gun control, capital punishment, a womans right to choose, welfare reduction, healthcare reform, an increase in taxes across the board, and some kind of mandatory federal service for all citizens age 18.
The day a platform is unveiled that fits everything I want is the day the world will explode.
Maybe now Nintendo will acknowledge Metroid has a fanbase?
Flake wrote:Lol, I know the same thing. How do I vote? I believe in gun control, capital punishment, a womans right to choose, welfare reduction, healthcare reform, an increase in taxes across the board, and some kind of mandatory federal service for all citizens age 18.
The day a platform is unveiled that fits everything I want is the day the world will explode.
So, you're looking for a candidate to run on the Starship Troopers platform?
Flake wrote:Lol, I know the same thing. How do I vote? I believe in gun control, capital punishment, a womans right to choose, welfare reduction, healthcare reform, an increase in taxes across the board, and some kind of mandatory federal service for all citizens age 18.
The day a platform is unveiled that fits everything I want is the day the world will explode.
So, you're looking for a candidate to run on the Starship Troopers platform?
Starship Troopers federal service wasn't mandatory, just one of the ways to earn a franchise. As opposed to our current system of "be able to fill out your name properly".
Blizzard Entertainment Software Developer - All comments and views are my own and not representative of the company.
Exactly. I feel that if citizenship had to be earned, people would do more with it. Something given away freely has no value. Compare the 16 year old whose parents buy a brand new ford mustang to the 20 year old who finally saved enough money to get a beat up Honda Accord. Who is going to treasure their vehicle more?
If I had my druthers, everyone would be born a resident with the option of earning their franchise at age 20.
Maybe now Nintendo will acknowledge Metroid has a fanbase?
flamepanther wrote:On the flip side of that, if you think government work is incompetent now, just imagine if it was conscripted.
You would not conscript people to make decisions or direct policy. You conscript people to do crap work and contribute to the defense of their nation. Once that is done, they have both a stake in what happens to their nation afterwards and the expectation of the next generation to step forward as well.
But then again, the United States has long since stopped asking anything of its citizens.
Maybe now Nintendo will acknowledge Metroid has a fanbase?
