Comments on: Free At Last

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:42:03 +0000

First of all I just want to say that I always welcome discussion, and that hearing from those that disagree with you is infinitely better than preaching to the choir. So thank you for your comments, and yay free speech! I also agree that George Bush probably has his heart in the right place, he’s just grossly incompetent in my opinion.

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By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:41:03 +0000

This country is far from Tyranny, and as much as you appear to despise George Bush and his policies, he is far from a Tyrannical leader. There are things he has done that I disagree with, but I honestly believe that he has tried to do what is best for our country in light of the challenges we face. I am sure that you will disagree vehemently with me on that point, but that is my opinion. I certainly encourage people to voice their concerns and that is what keeps our freedoms intact. My only point was that I see an irrational level of fear and loathing when it comes to the current administration, and my goal was to offer a differing opinion. Freedom of speech is a two way street and is what makes our country strong and great.

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By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:53:44 +0000

You know, I’m not deriding our system or our country in the ideological sense. I’ve always believed America has great ideals, we just have trouble living up to them. And I know this isn’t truly tyranny, but you seem to be implying that when a citizen of this nation sees that we are heading in a tyrannical direction, sees that those freedoms that we love are slowly but surely being eroded, he should not say anything? When is it ok to get upset? Only after we’ve gone too far and lost it all? Personally, I’d rather get angry before that happens. I’d rather get angry when it’s still legal to get angry, and I’d rather not be told not to say anything in a country that was founded on dissent. The only true patriotism in America is to be ever-suspicious of the government because Americans know, or they should, that unchecked power will grow and grow and become more and more dangerous. You talk about the checks and balances in the system, the ultimate and most important one is the vigilance of the American people, and if more people worried as much as I did George Bush would not have been able to lead us all to ruin and, yes, bring us closer to tyranny.

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By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 23:33:20 +0000

I still think you worry too much. Have you ever been to a country that truly lives under tyranny? I have, and I can assure you that most Americans have very little perspective on how great our country and our system of Government is. Reading about it is no substitute.

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By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:25:58 +0000

I know how it’s supposed to work. I know about the separation of powers. It seems to me that Bush is jeopardizing that system. It’s not entirely his fault, the other two branches are abdicating their roles, especially the legislature. Hopefully our system can recover, but when Bush just dictates things, when he chooses what parts of laws to enforce, when he just declares new laws and calls them executive orders, and when congress never challenges him on these actions, then the system is in jeopardy.

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By: Paul

Paul — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:17:35 +0000

Okay, so you can argue that there has been some aspects of Bush’s presidency that could support your suggestion that we should be mindful of Tyranny. However, I would argue that our democracy is still alive and well. We still have 3 branches of Government…legislative, judicial and executive which were formed to prevent tyrannical rule. Article 1 of the Constitution defines the legislative branch and vests power to legislate in the Congress of the United States. The executive powers of the President are defined in Article 2. Article 3 places judicial power in the hands of one Supreme Court and inferior courts as Congress sees necessary to establish. There are built in “checks and balances” to prevent tyrannous concentration of power in any one branch and to protect the rights and liberties of citizens. For example, the President can veto bills approved by Congress and the President nominates individuals to serve in the Federal judiciary; the Supreme Court can declare a law enacted by Congress or an action by the President unconstitutional; and Congress can impeach the President and Federal court justices and judges.

Bottom line, let not your heart be troubled as our system of government self regulates and is in no danger of being taken over by a tyrannical leader.

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