MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Obama: despite the rise of new global powers, US and Europe lead
President Obama has told British politicians that, despite the rise of new global powers, the time for US and European leadership “is now”. He said the influence of the US, UK and allies would remain “indispensable,” in a speech in Parliament on the second day of his UK state visit. Read full article
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Disclaimer & comment rulesWhat Obams failed to say in the UK speech is that (Western) democracy has the greatest battle of its life going on at the present time -
May 26th, 2011 - 01:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0the battle for the paramouncy of democracy and the rights of man, over the alternative forms of governance that are now presenting as economic alternatives.
Teleprompter Obozo: despite the rise of new global powers, US and Europe are leaders of incompetence.
May 26th, 2011 - 01:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Pfff, What Obams failed to say in the UK speech is that UK's and US democracy has the greatest battle of its life going on at the present time.
There are other western democracies (kingdoms or Republics) that are western and are doing fine, Geo. Concentrate more on your silly island the UK.
lol, USA and Europe lead? lead the way into economic depression maybe, cause that's the only area USA and Europe lead anymore: economic malaise
May 26th, 2011 - 01:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0just broke consolation !
May 26th, 2011 - 02:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We will just say one word, and its british.
May 26th, 2011 - 02:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0T.A.R.D.I.S. next
Guys, re.#1
May 26th, 2011 - 05:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Focus on the word 'democracy'.
The concept is not one that a country, a people, should give away without due consideration;
and, if attempts are made to remove it by force or stealth or by lying to the people, it certainly should certainly be strongly defended, and the malign agencies kicked out.
Defend the people by defending true democracy.
And that means we will defend the falklands from argentina, and all else, and the removal of the UK from europe,
May 26th, 2011 - 07:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0that is true democracy, sadly we live in a world trying to be run by dictators and greed and corruption ??
@ briton
May 27th, 2011 - 08:43 am - Link - Report abuse 0Don’t worry Briton I known you want to live in democracy. May be we will help you to remove your rotten crown that will be a good start.
Nico,
May 27th, 2011 - 10:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0is there something wrong with retaining a non-governing constitutional monarchy?
Checks & balances, my son.
G.
@GeoffWard
May 28th, 2011 - 09:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0“is there something wrong with retaining a non-governing constitutional monarchy?”
Are we still in the middle age?
Monarchy systems are a shame for western civilization. Why do you need a crown?
Are you not old enough to have a modern republic?
Time to grow up.
I don’t see any difference like with Fidel Castro, Gaddafi, Mubarak, etc.
Why are they bad and your is good?
Nico,
May 28th, 2011 - 01:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0your weakness in history of the UK leads you to fail to understand the dynamic of checks and balances that the UK has created since the times of Cromwells in order to avoid the excesses of both the monarchy and the Parliament.
'Checks and balances' is what distinguishes the UK system from those of South America (Venezuela, Argentina, etc), Castro, Gadhaffi, Mubarak, and the rest of the 'exploited 'democracies''.
@GeoffWard
May 28th, 2011 - 04:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Your indoctrination is really amazing.
The question is about the political system and not is your monarch is good or if is controlled of if gives money away.
Britain is not a democracy and lack of accountability to the people.
1- You have a monarch as a head of the state that acquires their status not from elections, but from, inheritance and privilege, etc.
2- Have reserved prerogatives as to dissolve a parliament, declare war, declare new laws, etc, etc
“Her Majesty, as Head of State of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms, has the right to use the Royal Prerogative over any nation where she is Head of State”
And I add with full extend without any limitation by any constitutional clause.
3- The House of Lords. Who elect them? Nobody as members are appointed or they are liked by inheritance, etc.
They have the power to veto any laws introduced by the House of Commons. And you talk about Chavez and Castro?
So under the eyes of someone living in democracy with all good and bad things UK looks pretty much as Cuba ruled by Castro and loved by his fanatic followers. There is not difference nothing will change because as Cubans Brits are indoctrinated to believe that this is democracy (a big lie). So panis et circenses to keep the masses happy.
“Checks and balances' is what distinguishes the UK system from those of South America (Venezuela, Argentina, etc)... exploited 'democracies”
So what are you doing living in one of these “exploited 'democracies” as you say If UK is so wonderful?
I would be buying my ticket to London if I would be you.
I heard this music many times UK is wonderful but you guys end in US, Brazil, Germany, Australia, NZ, etc. to escape from the UK prison and have some decent standard of living.
Ha ha you re very funny really.
Nico,
May 28th, 2011 - 09:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I have spent the last couple of hours watching MU lose to Barca,
whilst researching the characteristics of authoritarianism and totalitarianism as forms of autocracy.
Totalitarian dictators develop a charismatic 'mystique' and a mass-based, pseudo-democratic interdependence with their followers via the conscious manipulation of a ‘prophetic image’.
Authoritarians view themselves as individuals, largely content to control and maintain the status quo. They typically utilise power for personal aggrandizement and wealth, supporting their rule by a mixture of instilling fear and granting rewards to loyal collaborators, creating an effective kleptocracy.
Superficially democratic constitutions can allow the undemocratic “concentration of power” or domination by ‘strong-men’ or by small elites.
Lower corruption is associated with democracy, parliamentary systems, political stability, and freedom of the press. Freedom of information legislation is important for accountability and transparency, and for bringing down corrupt bureaucracies.
Checking my much more extensive research against your assertions at #12, I conclude that you know little about democracy, though significantly more about autocracy.
My commiserations.
@GeoffWard
May 29th, 2011 - 08:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0“Authoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy. In politics, an authoritarian government is one in which political power is concentrated in a leader or leaders, typically unelected by the people, who possess exclusive, unaccountable, and arbitrary power.... self-appointed and even if elected cannot be displaced by citizens'”
Like the crown, Houses of Lord, etc.
Autocracy “is a form of government in which one person possesses unlimited power an autocrat is a person (such as a monarch) ruling with unlimited authority.”
“Autocracy and totalitarianism are related concepts. Autocracy is defined by one individual having unlimited legislative and executive power, while totalitarianism extends to regulating every aspect of public and private life.”
In our democratic systems we can remove any president by public pressure (like we did with De la Rua) or every 4 years if we are not happy with them.
Also our system putted in jail the dictators of the ‘80 and the justice putted in jail many politicians and even a president like Menen when he was being investigated for his political actions.
In our system none can concentrate the 3 powers this is a lie the game of democracy is to persuade parliament and justice if need (as other ruling powers) to govern. Not even having the majority seat in congress may guarantee you that the justice will not declare whatever the executive had done as unconstitutional and drop any bill.
Public has access to many aspect of the political and economic system is up to you to check what is going on.
To whom are accountable the queen, House of Lords, BoE, etc in UKI?
So the lecturing to someone who lives in democracy sound silly from someone coming from a monarchy country where her majestic the queen wanted to use the funds designated to hospitals and poor people to be used to pay her personal heating bills.
Hi, Nico.
May 29th, 2011 - 11:26 am - Link - Report abuse 0you live in a democracy. Which one, Germany? I thought you were in Argentina.
It's news to me that Good Queen Liz has been attaching gatos from the local favela telephone lines to Buck house! ;-)
My purpose was to test the limits of democracy to see where democracy ends and where autocracy starts. For what one man may accept as an 'imperfect democracy' another man may perceive as a rampant autocracy.
I see *so many* features of autocracy masquerading under the cloak of a democracy here where I live.
And I find it hard to believe that Brasil is alone in South America in suffering from internal exploitation by the corrupt ruling classes.
To believe that this is untrue seems to me to be self-delusion.
@GeoffWard
May 29th, 2011 - 04:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 01- I live now in Argentina.
2- I don’t agree with you about that exploitation in Brazil is for democracy but I don’t know much about Brazil to have a serious opinion.
3- “I see *so many....”
Give me an example I can give you one about Britain below.
Tell me how do you call the bailout of the banks on expenses of the poor workers and lower class in Britain?
Argies set the banks on fire in 2001, some bankers went to jail but in UK they got a better bonus.
Do you understand de difference?
Can you even imagine Brits setting on fire the banks putting in jail at least one Sir Lord and sending to hell Uki govt and queen?
While you see the Brazilian being exploited I see British being exploited. Just points of view.
4- Argies sent to hell De la Rua in 2001and 5 presidents have passed and this people power.
5- Democracy will not prevent you to be scammed, robbed, exploited or that you will have a perfect life. But provides tools to correct things and to improve for the next time.
USA used to be an example of that until she started to think as an empire.
6- Britain and other monarchies set a bad example to the world.
Especially when she tries to sell to the world democratic values while being a kingdom.
Is very silly like a bald man promoting tonics for hair falling. And even worst when tries to sell tonics to men with long hair.
Having a parliament and to be able to elect what would be in a full democracy the lower chamber representatives and a chief of cabinet who can be removed by the monarch is not a democracy.
7- Remember that our families came here to escape from wars, misery and exploitation from mother Europe. So don’t blame democracy for what we got in our DNA.
Sure you are not one of these exploited victims are you?
Tell me multiple choice here:
a- Do you thing you will be able to exploit me?
b- Do you think I will be able to exploit you?
c- Or we will kill each other in the process?
: )
d- Or we will get to know each other better and comprehend our differences.
May 29th, 2011 - 06:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You think my postings here are bad - you should see what I write about the UK situation in the UK press blogs, and the USA in the US press blogs!
: )
“Having a parliament and to be able to elect what would be in a full democracy the lower chamber representatives and a chief of cabinet who can be removed by the monarch is not a democracy.”
May 29th, 2011 - 06:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It doesn't fit your personal view of what democracy is, that doesn't mean your view on what democracy is correct. Google the word.
@GeoffWard
May 30th, 2011 - 12:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0“d- Or we will get to know each other better and comprehend our differences.”
Well that is a good civilised option fab that we are getting some progress. Ha ha
@Zethe
“It doesn't fit your personal view of what democracy is, that doesn't mean your view on what democracy is correct. Google the word.”
“Democracy is a form of government in which all citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives”
From Greek
Demos: People and Kratos: power
Rule of the people, etc.
You have a monarch that by definition is not equal to you on the contrary she/he is above you with certain privileges and prerogatives that not other British citizen can have.
One of this among many others is to be the head of the state.
In democratic countries law is administrate on behave of the people (nation, state, etc) in UK is on behave of her majestic the Queen.
UK is a “Constitutional monarchy” and with the funny trick that doesn’t even has a written constitution.
What a Constitutional monarchy means? That the monarch is the head of the state and acts within the parameter of a constitution.
And here rise the question where is the UK’s constitution? There is not.
Brits have not idea what is the real power of the monarch and what are they rights.
To put it simple this is like someone telling you this is your house but he never give you the papers because he reserves the power to send you to the street when he wants.
Legally he is the owner of the house and not you. What of course this provides him a tacit power of coercion
You are something like the Kingdom of Dubai
Everyone with 2 neurones can understand that UK is not a democracy sorry you have been scammed all your life.
Nico, I accept your tease.
May 30th, 2011 - 11:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0Dubai is a bit smaller (just less than 10X smaller), and because it is so miniscule its processes are part-managed by an umbrella UAE.
The UK is four nations with six governments - four national and two supra-national.
Though both Dubai and the UK claim to be democracies and both have constitutional monarchies, the mode of government defines them as very different entities.
But I think you really know this ; )
Geoff, he's winding you up. He is a troll.
Jun 01st, 2011 - 09:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0NicoDin, if the UK is as bad as you say, then why are so many people wanting to live there? Many from South America also.
You obviously have absolutely no idea how the British system of government works.
l'm not going to be bothered in trying to explain it to you. Do some research and look it up for yourself.
@ lsolde
Jun 01st, 2011 - 02:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0South America is a very large thing and please don’t be egocentric because is the same as if I ask you...
If Argentina is so bad why are so may European living here?
There are more Brits in South America than South American living UK.
And there are far more Brits living here in Argentina than Argies living in UK.
And as I think you have some trouble to understand geography you are in South America because FI is not Europe or Asia, etc.
Can you see how lost you are Isolde?
“You obviously have absolutely no idea how the British system of government works.”
UK is a Constitutional Monarchy like the following countries:
Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Bahrain, Cambodia, Canada, Denmark, Grenada, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom.
Do you see USA or Argentina in the list? Nope because they are Democratic Republics
You cannot have a democracy with a monarch as a head of the state because in democracy all are equals and you are not equal to the queen. You cannot rule the queen because she is always above you.
You never can aspire to be a queen because the monarch pass his power (little or big) to her/his dynasty.
Is a Monarchy/Kingdom/ constitutional or whatever a democracy because the ruler allows you to vote for the members of congress or parliament or because he gives more freedom to you than the Americans? Nope because is always his/her will and not your right. Musolini was ruling a constitutional monarchy.
If you cannot understand the basic of a democracy how will you try to explain to me what it is?
But someone in UKI start to realise that all is a joke
http://www.republic.org.uk/What%20we%20want/In%20depth/The%20British%20Constitution/index.php
@22NicoDin,
Jun 04th, 2011 - 10:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0But we are happy with our form of government Nicholas.
Why should we change it because you have said that it is not democratic?
Do you want to force on us a type of government that you want? Now that action would not be at all democratic.
People make a choice where they want to live & the type of government they want(if they can),
We can & we choose to be part of a constitutional monarchy & do not want to be part of Argentina.
This is our land & our choice. Why cannot you accept this?
This has never been your land as has been explained to you by many people, many times.
You must be content with the extensive land that you have & develop it.
Forget about the Falklands, they are not for you.
“You must be content with the extensive land that you have & develop it.
Jun 04th, 2011 - 03:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Forget about the Falklands, they are not for you.”
Almost poetry, Isolde.
Hal~ ”Look Dave (Nico), I can see you're really upset about this. “
”All these worlds are yours except Europa. Attempt no landing there. Use them together. Use them in peace.~ ”
@Geoff
Jun 04th, 2011 - 06:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Did you get this from Clarke or from the film of Kubrick?
My version says all these worlds are yours except Malvinas because belongs to Argentina.
: )
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