[iiilizium]

Denying the people's choice is anti-democratic in theory. There is no way around that principle. That being said, gerrymandering has done so much damage to democracy in the USA, that term limits would reduce the damage. Of and in themselves, term limits are not good for democracy.

The Roman Empire cannot be reasonably characterised as a plutocracy. At best, the last two centuries of the Republic maybe, but not the Empire. Sure the plutocrats found the Empire profitable, but as a 'class' they didn't run it. The military ran the show and that was always the 'equestrian' class (indeed, the victory of Caesar and Augustus was that of the populares not the optimates - the plutocrats clearly sided with the latter and Emperors tend to have long memories.).

I only have addressed this Roman issue in detail here because you have cited it as some justifcation for term limits. I think that argument is logically absurd.

I don't find that absurd at all, it's common sense, and logic.

You seem to be a very intelligent person Michael. Try not to confuse a cult of personality, for anything , other than a figurehead. Think about it from a purely practical realistic angle. Empire is built off the backs of the citizenry, and that is not possible in a true Republic. If there truly was representation, then that is in fact not possible as the citizenry would never stand to be relegated to worker ant's.

The same can be said for America today. Once Empire is alive, there can be no more Republic. The illusion of one will be alive, and nothing more. Therefore, if Empire is allowed to form, that shows there is no longer representation in that society. That (is) plutocracy.

Many can argue, and do, that democracy will always end up a plutocracy. After all, this is in fact, is the political system that killed Socrates.

What are your thoughts on the Supreme court?

The Supreme Court has in fact become a political institution. It was inevitable. It's the worst idea ever. Yea, I want my government to appoint in a dictatorial fashion people as they see fit, and have that be the last law of the land. WTF!!! OH, and they are there till they die!! Yea, that's a great idea. This government of ours must think we're all stupid, and clueless.

I'm sure you know our government are not exporting freedom. How the hell can they export something we don't even have in the U.S.. They are exporting economic, political, social, and militaristic dominance. The UN use the U.S. military like a demolition crew, same as the international banks. These kids, soldiers are dieing to line pockets, not spread freedom.

Also banking institutions have been in control of U.S.'s capital since the days of Andrew Jackson. Since the introduction of fractionary banking, we have all been put on a bullet train to despotism. Now, thirteen families own the banking cartel, therefore they own the planet. If people thought logically, they would see this is so. You want to know who are the people who make the decisions, it's them. We are just (all renters) of their capital.
You can't get anymore plutocratic than that.

The only way to begin to change this for the betterment of our society as a whole, is the combined action of term limits, and the abolition of gerrymandering. Then remove the two party first at the gate system, and allow others a fair chance. You seem to think term limits un democratic, when in fact, the presidency has a eight year term limit. No one seems to think that un democratic. I think you need to try and think more logically about our situation, and just how we got here. I had even done an entire thread on Social Security. Not a soul here has touched it, or even answered the moderators question.

Once these branches of government are again three separate branches, and congress is not in bed together, then we can begin to heal this damage they have inflicted on our liberty.

Nothing will change until responsibility, true representation, and a healthy working Republic, is restored. They also need to be cut off from any and all social or economic policy in the private sector as they have created this "command economy" in doing so.

The (only) thing that will lead to freedom, is a free market, period. Take that away, and despotism in varied forms, is in fact, inevitable.

I want to hit one more point, and then I'm done. A modern day president, is nothing more than a red blue marionette and only a figurehead. A cult of personality, if you will. Term limits have done nothing to stop this as the three branches of government, are no longer branching. I really can't stand either party as they have sold out this country. Truth be told, I don't like the idea a partisan parties at all.

For some strange reason people want to blame one man for problems of a country. Whose that man, the president. If not one man, it's the polar opposite tribe's fault. As of now, that one man is Bush, and he's only a dimwitted child along for the ride. The last man to blame, was Clinton. It boggles the mind how people in this country, and abroad can think one has any say, let alone any power.

The power of the presidency has been reduced to impotence by this plutocracy, and it is now used to their selfish ends. Is the current president trash, I would say yes. I remember this sick man, pretending to look under the table for WMD's, and thinking it was so humorous. Any human being with a mind of their own can see the man is trash. That being said, is he complicit in the deception of the citizenry, sure he is. What's his alternative? I don't think he wants to be assassinated. A modern day president is a prisoner of truth, and a conscience, is a liability to his master's.