1 I've been saying since the election that the democrats strategy IS hypocrisy.

2 Politics is hipocracy, and those who truly try to forward a cause usually end up creating a helluva big mess, like Hitler.

3 Finn, you know enough about politics to be dangerous. Politics is the oldest game in the world; it's about appeal, appeasement, prestige, and power. Every person would like to be in charge on some level, but politicians just want it more. Some of them are genuinely committed to a cause, but most are opportunists who will do or say whatever it takes to get the job done. It's usually the idealists that cause the most trouble, and the opportunists who try to avoid rocking the boat. The one rule of politics is that you play to win, and losers don't like the rules when they lose, but they do like them when they win, which is why the democrybabies are such assholes, they are losers and don't want to play by the rules.

4 Well said Improbulus. And Trader Rob, great use of the word "crapweasel". You just don't see it used enough.

5 Good call on "crapweasel". Thanks for the mad props yo. I don't really talk like that. Damn hippies. But I digress... I should have added that while opportunists don't rock the boat more than necessary, and idealists generally upset the apple cart, and I mix metophors like a tornado in a trailer park, this doesn't always birth a desirable outcome. Especially a tornado in a trailer park. Nobody likes those except stand-up comics, who would generally be flipping burgers for a living were it not for the opportunity to mock the misery of others in order to make the rest of us feel better about our miserable lives. But back to politics... Bubba Clintoon was as big an opportunity whore as ever lived, only outdone by his old lady. Hitlery is definitely the biggest opportunity whore of all time, she makes Jackson and Sharpton looke like streetcorner hustlers. Oh, wait... Anyway, back to my point: Idealists tend to cause trouble, but if they were elected, (twice even), is it the place of the voter to second guess their every decision? No. America is a representative republic, not a democracy. Just because we elect someone to office doesn't mean we get to abuse them for our pleasure. The president is the most powerful person in the world. Think about that. The most powerful person in the world. And no matter who is in office, half the country wants to see them dead because gas is over whatever price the media tells us is acceptable. The American political scene has gotten worse, not better, but much worse, through greater public involvement in politics. Imagine if health care were run in such a manner. Do you want someone cutting into your chest cavity if they aren't allowed to work without checking with the peanut gallery every five minutes? (Imagine Hillarycare for a moment. Your doctor graduated low in his/her class, but they round out the diversity requirement nicely, so they get a job and a more qualified Evil White Male Oppressor gets a letter of rejection. Welcome to Hell.) America is the greatest nation in the history of the world, and some people just can't deal with that. Being an American puts a lot of pressure on a person, and some people just aren't strong enough to make it here, so they cry and complain about this and that, and generally act like little punks, while the rest of us pick up the slack. That's okay, because for a while longer at least, America is still the greatest hope for opportunity in the world. We no longer get the tired and weak, strictly speaking, we get the smart, quick, and ambitious, because in America, they can get an education, a job, a house, a car, and something that no other country on earth can offer. Liberty. Let's not screw this up, everybody get on board, because America is worth saving. And as for the liberals out there; stop being such a bunch of little bitches.

6 Perhaps you should broaden the boat northwards, so it would be harder to rock over. Canada isn't really a ship anyway, it's just a big rowboat from the British war brig that got a bit too far out to sea, and no-one bothered getting it back.

7 "PUHLEEEAZE Barney.... sounds like Kerry, he's against it except when he's for it." most of the people in the filibuster discussion have distinguished between abolishing all filibusters and just this special one.

8 Actus: Your joking right?

9 no, the discussion usually gets to what happens after the GOP pulls the nuclear option. The discussion gets to whether all filibusters, legislative or appointments, are over. This is a distinction that people who have been paying attention make.

10 The only thing Barney the purple homosaur really cares about is caressing the buttocks of hot guys.

11 Phallus Minimus, They say homophobes are usually just closet gays...it's ok. Your secret is safe with us. MUHAHAHAHAH!!

12 Because IM comments on Barney's fondness for fondling buttocks , he's a homophobe. Hmmm, , you constantly bash conservative thought, guess that's means you are a closet rightee. Great, welcome to the club.

13 IM, If you conservatives would stop trying to enslave everyone with your "moral" beliefs, maybe we Liberals would stop bitching. But "NO" the rights want to ensure everyone believes as they do so they try to pass laws to enforce that belief. That is why we need liberal judges to keep an even playing field.

14 But wait, if I'm a closet "rightee"...and have been labeled a bitching, moonbat, tin-foil hat wearing lib...what does that say about you, TR? Does that mean you're going to fondle my buttocks with honey till my ass cheeks glisten like glazed ham in the early summer sun?

15 In other words, Butch, you don't like Democracy. We already guessed.

16 Well Ms Roberts, I believe in democracy to a point. I believe in the right of the Majority to make policies as long as those policies are need and they harm the minority in the lease offensive way. Just because a group has a majority does not mean it should pass everything it wants to, and the minority be dam. That is why we have checks and balances in the Constitution. The real question though is why does the Republican Conservatives (aka the Moral Majority) wants to force their belief system on everyone else in the country. The Liberals are about choice. You can choose or not choose to have an abortion, marry someone of your same sex. They are not forcing anyone to go against what they believe. Now the same can not be said about the Conservatives. The are refusing couples to wed, the want to outlaw abortions. Where is the democracy in that. They want the rest of the world to act and think like they do. So which system is truly about choice?

17 That's pretty incoherent Butch. All democracy is the majority "forcing their belief system on everyone else". That's what it means. Liberals are not about choice. If they were, they would not have to resort to the court system to force their policies on the country. The country would democratically choose those policies. But evidently you can't figure that out. Our Constitution does have "checks and balances". One of them is that the President has the power to appoint people, not the Senate. The Senate does not have a Constitutional power to choose nominations. The Senate's role is "advise and consent". The filibuster means that a minority gets to "force" its belief system on the country.

18 Robin, you are wrong. Democracy is not forcing a belief system on anyone. Democracy is allowing every citizen a voice in the government. Once again I say just because the Majority can pass a law does not necessary mean they should pass a law. How can you say the Liberals is not choice. I believe one of the main issues of the Liberals is called “PRO CHOICE”. As for the people making these polices, don’t be so naive. We all really know we don’t live in a democracy but an Dollarocracy. (Yes I am taking some literary licenses here.) It is the all mighty dollar that makes the laws here. I know all about our Constitution, and I know that the President can appoint, but it is the Senates right and duty to approve those appointments. Can you figure that out. It is not the Senate’s duty to advise, but to approve the appoints made by the President. Filibuster does not give the right of the minority to pass any laws, just the right to prevent them. I would go on, but it is quitting time. Cya tomorrow.

19 Butch, so you have completely redefined "democracy". How cute. What other words were you put in charge of redefining?

20 "America is the greatest nation in the history of the world,..." Improbulus Hell no. America isn't even a nation, it's 3 continents. US is not the greatest nation either, Rome, Imperial China, Mongolian Empire, British Empire and Soviet Union were way greater, and Canada and EU are way better places in a milliongazillionsentillion ways, the most important ones of them being: + no wars + efficient social security + not bankcrupt like yours + way better people (excluding England, they're pretty much the same as you) + much less crime problems (excluding Romania, but it isn't even a EU-member yet) + races have way less grudge towards each other (excluding Cyprus) + all power is not consentrated to one jackass leprechaun + copyright not yet an important thing (excluding Finland, thanks a lot, Teosto...) Oh well, then why is US better: - wars - much easier to make a living in dishonest noncriminal ways, like stock market or law sues - the possibility to just disappear in the mass and live completely anonymous and forgotten - hating Arabs is commonly approved, so you can be a rasist if you want to - guns, lots of heavy artillery and bombs for sale with pretty much no need to prove you're worthy as long as you're not an Arab - 2-party system, no need to be politically active since they're pretty much the same - lots of cartoons on TV (very important) - fast internet connections are cheaper (well, at least cheaper than in Finland)

21 "Ainoa lääke demokratiaa vastaan on armeija", the only cure for democracy is an army, said a wise man, or then it was Hitler.

22 SPQR, What would you know about Democracy with your imperalistic ways. But just to spell it out for you, Merriam-Webster defines Democracy as a government by the people. I believe my definition, "Democracy is allowing every citizen a voice in the government" is pretty dam close. Now if you want to talk about the definition of my application of democracy, thats a different story. When I say that all though the Majority can pass a law does not make it right to pass a law, all we have to do is look at Germany. The majority of Germans wanted Jews gone, and they were gone. Right or Wrong? But if you are talking about my new word of Dollarocracy, is this not the true way that most laws get passed, here and else where. If it is not, then why was a law made requiring everyone to wear a seat belt, but no law requiring helmets for motor cyclist passed. (Insurance company lobby, y, and Motorcycle lobby, you think. ) If you truly do not believe that money is what makes laws, then I have a great bridge, statue and prime real estate I want to sell to you.

23 Finn, I will agree that the British, Roman, and Chinese Empires were better then the US. The Soviet Union is nothing, it is not as old as the US nor did it last as long. Since its founding, US has done nothing but grow, the Soviet Union lost territory. The Mongols are nothing more then a side note in history. As for the EU and Canada, you are totally wrong and I will tell you why. Wars - yes this is one of the reasons that the US is great. If not for US, England, France and Russia would be speaking German. And this did not happen once, but twice. Also we saved S. Korea from starvation that is going on in N. Korea now. I am not saying we did this out of some moral obligation, but the fact is, we did save several countries bacon more then once. Then after the war, what did we do. Did we impose very harsh terms on those we conquered. Terms so harsh that they would eventually lead to a second war? I don't think so. Did the English, French, German, or Russia do this. Why I believe they did demand war retributions from their conquered foes. And if it had not been for those wars that the US helped fight, what would Europes economy be like now. Efficient social security - maybe if the US was not giving hand outs to have the nations in the world, we probably could get a more efficient social security. Bankrupcy - see above answer. Way better people - annnt wrong. The reason that the US people are the greatest in the world is because we are the world. What do you have in Finland, Finnish. We have Fins, Swedes, Germans, Italians, English, Vietmanese, Chinese, Dutch, (India) Indian, Egyptians, Russians, and so on. Almost every nation in this world is like iron, good, but one element only. We are steel. It is this mixure of culture that makes us great. So when you say the Fins are great, well that means the US also. If you say Chinese are great, once again that is us. Racism - well I admit we do need to work on that some. Especially when we have people like gay rooster. But I believe that one of the reason we are so effected by it is because we have to live with it daily. It is easy to claim not to be a racist if the only people you interact with are other Fins. Or maybe all Fins and 1 or 2 Swedes. Omnipotent Leprechaun - once again you are wrong. The Office of the President does have a lot of power, it is not absolute. Especially if you have a different Congress from the President. But even when they are the same, like now, we still have the Judical branch to help keep them from running wild. But I do agree that MR Bush is a jackass. I respect his office, I just don't respect Bush. Copyright - (dont know what you are getting at here, no comment.) Now some of the other reasons that you left out about why US is great. aid - When ever there is a natural disaster anywhere, you can be sure the US will send some aid, usually a lot more than any other country. Not even counting disasters, we still send out billions in aid to most every nation in the world. The US also takes on the lion share of most UN operations. How much aid did Finland send down for the Tsunami relief? Humanitarian - yes, we are lot more human than say China. Freedoms - we are by far one of the freest countries in the world. I have a co-worker who came from China during the time when Ross P was running as an independent. He was stunned that we actually made fun of our canidates on national tv. In China, you can only make fun of the canidates once. Even if you were here Finn, you could of may that assine statement about 9/11, because this is a Free society. We allow each individual rise and fall on their own. We do not keep women as slaves like the Taliban, and they had the right to vote for about 100 years, where Kwuait, they just got it there. So now I know the US is not the greatest country in History, but it is one of the top five. Oh, where do you think Finland would rate on Great countries? Pretty far down I would imagine.

24 Dollarocracy indeed. Maybe eurocracy or dinerocracy else where. Maybe the last 'C':s should be 'Z':s. That's exactly the way the world is run in non-dictatorship countries. I wish money had no important role and everything would go smoothly by trading products, like back in 195?-198?. Everything was great in Finland, every year the Soviets and we peacefully negotiated what ships, submarines, heavy machinery, 'information' and paper and wood products we would trade for their oil, wood, ores, food, electricity and new technology. Then factories spent the year making them, the Soviets spent their year producing their part of the deal, and everything always turned out great at the end of the year. Unemployment was 0%, people were happy despite worries about the world situation, and the economy was growing, because all resources were cheaper than to other countries, struggling in Cold War. Then came Gorbatshov, showed how bad things were and got kicked out by Jeltsin. There goes financial stability. We had to start trading more with the western, money-driven countries, so the business was only good with Sweden, most of the others, especially NATO-members, were doing crappy when US was doing crappy or in a war. I hate money. It's completely useless as anything other than a power tool in politics. If money was still made of gold and silver it would be of some value, but these stupid coins and paperpieces are pointless. Eventhough they are supposed to match the countries wealth reserves, you can't trade your money for gold at the countrys central bank. (tried it once with a 500 markan seteli (100$ back then) for fun, offered to trade it for silver...)

25 Aid: The best thing you can do to help someone is to tell them to help themselves. Only reason why our country could handle two front wars and grow in economy and population, while other countries were struggling to beat one mans armies (Napoleon, Hitler, Genghis and other Khans, Ivan the bloody, fought 'em all, didn't lose even once), was that there never was someone else to help us and we had to learn to deal with shit by ourselves. A country dependant on foreign aid can never be a strong nation. Besides, if you would've stayed out of Zaire with your hiv-positive-monkey poliopills later stolen and copied by Soviets, there would be no AIDS-epidemy in Africa and former Soviet Union countries. There were somewhat 100 Finns lost in the big wave, so we sent loads of aid there and since there were over 3000 Swedes lost there, we sent more help to help them. Not just an US operation, your media is too clearly pulling your way. We sent 3 times more per capita.(assuming that means something like 'if counted {money + worth of aid}/total population') Humanitarian and freedom: At the same level in Canada and EU, your freedom isn't anything special like it used to be back in 1800s or something, that's why I didn't put those in any list. Screw China, that's probably the most people-oppressing rich country in the world. And Finland is always the best country in the world, the country of best health care, social care, most stable in economic situation, has the smallest child death percentage, best education and least crime. Also, we don't have media brainwash, terrorist attacks, religious fanatism, government driven religionism (in God you damn right trust), immigrant problems, pollution, huge amounts of gay people, races neatly divided in certain types of living areas, a heavily split society, energy problems, moronic leaders, number 1 rank in obiesity, people having surgery to match what they think others want them to look, ridiculous geeks spending their lives worshipping TV-shows or stupid games, pinkeye, genetically engineered food, or a mixbred mess composed of the lazy, poor, crazy, criminal, greedy bastards and slaves from other countries. Too bad there won't be a Finland soon, EU is going towards one country darn fast and without a sudden disappearance of US (nukes and chemicals), Russia (easy even with just ground forces) and China (trade vacuum and money retraction) to remove all threats, there's nothing to stop it... Most Finns came back between 1945 and 1975, but sure, guess there could be Finns in US as well. Not Finns, but probably Italian-Spanish-German-Indian-Nigerian-Korean-Finnish people or something.

26 Also, I would not have minded a German Empire stretching across the world, since I'm of the pure Arian race Hitler so much fancied, and I would've been one of the kings on Earth. Also, Deutsch ist eine sehr, sehr besser Sprache wie Englisch, und ich hasse niemand so viel wie ich hasse die meisten Englisch-sprachige Menschen.

27 Yup, anger management for me. Perhaps I should pick an opinion on things and blindly stick with it instead of modifying my responses and comments to annoy and enfuriate.

28 Infuriate...

29 Oh well I guess "hiljaisuus on myöntymisen merkki", silence is the sign of consent.