tagged w/ balancing power
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For democracy to work, complete transparency must be obtained. There must be no hiding behind patriotism, national security, and fear. These catch phrases are a vault for the secrets a government does not want the public to know of. Also due to these phrases, Americans society, while often preaching freedom of speech, in reality practices resentment, hatred, and peer pressure against those who step outside the norm (of what is politically correct). I would thus say no government needs to prohibit the freedom of speech, but only let the people prohibit (more so regulate) speech for them. It has happened so many times in our country’s past, we cannot afford to let this keep happening.
For democracy to work, diplomacy must be the first and preferably the only course of action in settling disputes. Democracy cannot be offensive in nature—only defensive. Due to reasons prior, freedoms and liberties (primarily those stemming from privacy) cannot waver in the shadow of fear, and thus democracy is at a severe disadvantage when it comes to warfare—either democracy (liberty) fails, or military security fails. Just as the integrity of a family is tested through hardships, the integrity of our government is tested through decisions made during or related to warfare and economic downtimes. A democratic government thus cannot suddenly revoke civil liberties or rights in lieu of the often vague, "Clear and Present Danger."
And thus, for democracy to work, preemptive strikes cannot occur. A democratic society must lead by example, not retaliation, revenge, or fear.
For democracy to work, the freedom of the press must be entirely free of regulation and censorship. The live footage of firefights during the Vietnam War had an immense impact on the outlook of war for those on the home front. The press is vastly more censored (both from corporate, and government), today. We cannot afford to have a censored press, as it holds all the power in shifting the majority of Americans’ view of any issue or event. People (straw man, I know) are gullible, and do not realize the power that manipulation has on their decisions and views.
For democracy to work, capitalism must maintain complete separation and segregation from the democratic system. As soon as private funding enters the picture, our potential candidates are primarily only determined by officials promising the majority (the currently diminishing middle class) of Americans false promises, while truly only representing those providing the most money (synonymous with votes) to their campaign. Votes don't get politicians elected, advertising & funding does. So who will get prioritized?
For democracy to work, lobbying must be made illegal, or vastly more restricted and regulated.
For democracy to work, a form of free election must be in order. An equal amount of taxpayer money must be distributed to the two presidential candidates. Since funding is the primary means of obtaining a position, we limit ourselves on the selection of candidates. Money cannot be a prerequisite in order to obtain or maintain a political position--yet it is. Set up two temporary television channels and websites for these candidates. Debates should be daily, and written correspondence between the two candidates should be a must—the topic voted upon by the public. I say written responses because some people are better at composing their thoughts on paper rather than in speech with millions watching, that is more or less just a game of who is quicker on their feet, not who is more reasonable or knowledgeable. Nominees for the general elections should only obtain their money through local donation from the citizens of their future jurisdiction, or by some other means which would allow absolutely ANY American citizen to run and potentially win—not based on their funding and advertising flash, but by their intelligence, charisma, knowledge, ethos, and promises. In sociology, "random" is defined as everyone having an equal chance and possibility to participate (in an experiment); not every American citizen has an equal chance of running for office. I don't have a perfect answer, but it's apparent something needs changed.
For democracy to work, bliss cannot be derived from ignorance. The importance of pursuing the truth and finding information for ones’ self must be emphasized. Everyone is entitled to vote, but not everyone understands for whom their vote entitles.
For democracy to work, accountability must be exacted out. False campaign promises are a form of false advertisement. Politicians must be held to the same justice system as we, the people, are.
Anything else to add?
(News seemed to be the only appropriate place to put this; my apologies if not).
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Bald_eagle_landing.jpgFor democracy to work, complete transparency must be obtained. There must be no hiding... more
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"In the absence of the warrior-protector, the only way that a government can protect a society is to remove the freedom of its people. And in such a society, the sons and daughters of Lions become sheep".
James Williams
Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho
James Williams is the President of Bugei Trading Company, Inc. He has been studying martial arts since 1960 and teaching since 1975. James has trained, competed in, and taught a number of different martial disciplines: Japanese, Okinawan, Chinese, Filippino, as well as the Brazilian system of Jujitsu as taught by Rorion and Royce Gracie. His experience includes western wrestling, which he also coached, as well as competing in boxing and kickboxing. His love of samurai martial traditions came with his study of the Yanagi ryu of the Yoshida han under Don Angier Sensei and the martial traditions of the Kuroda han as taught by Kuroda Tetsuzan Sensei. James also studied Daito ryu Roppokai with Okamoto Seigo sensei.
James also teaches Close Quarters Combat to police and military both foreign and domestic. The method used, "The System of Strategy," is based on those skills developed and cultivated by ancient warriors. He is the designer of the "Hissatsu," a close quarter battle knife that is produced by Columbia River Knife and Tool. James is certified as an instructor of Systema, an Ancient Russian Martial Art taught by Mikhail Ryabko and Vladimir Vasiliev. Williams sensei teaches Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho, (kenjutsu, iaijutsu, tanto jutsu and aikijujutsu) and The System in Encinitas California.
"James Williams of Bugei Trading Company fame, treated the Blade Show attendees to a rare show of skill with the Japanese sword. We were all quite impressed by Mr. Williams' poise and presentation as he used both one and two handed cutting techniques to sever 4 inch and 5 inch bundles of Tatami (rice straw) mats. In particular, we enjoyed seeing Mr. Williams make multiple cuts in rapid secession and even sever falling mats in mid air. But perhaps the greatest exhibition of skill was the finale where Mr. Williams demonstrated how a highly killed swordsman could suddenly drop low to the ground to avoid an opponent's blow while simultaneously drawing and cutting with his own blade. Most impressive! While Bugei Trading is a fierce competitor of ours in the sword business, we never want to become so mean spirited that we can't recognize real skill and ability when we see it. We congratulate Mr. Williams on the fantastic demonstration we were privileged to watch and encourage all of our readers who love swords not to miss it next year!"
Lynn Thompson, Cold Steel Knives (read more testimonials)
Martial Arts Experience
• Wrestling at the high school and collegiate level
• Kenjutsu-Japanese sword art
• Iaijutsu-Samruai sword art
• Shorin ryu Okinawa-te
• Tanto jitsu-Samurai knife art
• Takwondo
• Hojojitsu-Samurai restraining art
• Judo
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Aikido
• Temple Tai Chi
• Arnis de Mano
• Hung Gar Kung Fu
• Boxing
• Kick-Boxing
• Tang Soo Do
• Aiki Jiu Jitsu-Samurai unarmed art
• Systema-Russian military art (certified in Russia)
Instructional Experience
• Coached wrestling - Jr. High and High School Level
• Taekwondo
• Tang Soo Do
• Coached Boxing and Kick Boxing
• Currently teaching
Kenjutsu
Iaijutsu
Aikijujutsu
Systema
Military combatives and knife defense
Police Arrest and Control and knife defense
• Teaching seminars and giving demonstrations throughout the United States &
Canada
• SureFire Institute Low Light and Combatives Instructor
Specialized Experience
• Employed as personal bodyguard
• State of California Concealed Weapons Course
• Current CPR qualified.
• Designer of the Hisstasu, a CQB/Anti-Terrorist knife being produced by
CRKT (Columbia River Knife and Tool).
Military Experience
• U.S. Army Infantry
• Military Police
• 6th Army Competitive Pistol Team
• Officer Candidate School Graduate
• California Post Certified Firearms Instructor
• Advanced Hostage Rescue Course graduate • SFI Low Light Instructor
Agencies and Personnel Taught: List incomplete
• Naval Special Warfare Combatives Instructors
• Law Enforcement SWAT agencies nation wide
• USAF Air Mobility Warfare C
http://www.bugei.com/virtue.html"In the absence of the warrior-protector, the only way that a government can... more
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What if we set a maximum income?
What if we set a maximum amount of assets?
What if we made self sustaining income a human right?
“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
Thomas Jefferson (Author of the Declaration of Independence. 1762-1826)
In the declaration of Independence our fore-fathers wrote that we had the right to pursue happiness. However, all Americans don't actually have this right under our current economic system and laws.
Op-Ed by Tom of NorthcalWhat if we set a maximum income?
What if we set a maximum amount of assets?
What if... more
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