From: Ross James Swanston who wrote: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>But democracy is not about consensus, it is about strategies and tactics by
>those wielding the power including vested interests and lobby groups (
>multinational corporations, employer groups, unions, etc), some of whom
>wield a very powerful influence on 'public opinion' (again, how are we to
>define 'public opinion'?) and the mechanics of government. It is about
>half truths and in some cases straight out lies, just so long as these lies
>are made to appear like 'the truth'. It is about money and lots of it.
>The vast resources that some organisations can pour into swaying 'public
>opinion', (the 'public' has got a lot to answer for).
>
>Above all, democracy is about manipulation and control in how people, or at
>least the majority of the people think, so that at the end of the day, the
>opposition is thoroughly discredited and your side can claim 'victory' by
>whatever means at your disposal.
Thomas:
Forgive me for being selective, I liked your whole essay. However the above
paragraphs is a really stinging indictment against the concept of democracy
as practiced throughout the medium of the vote. And I believe you are
right. It is that rotten - perhaps even more so. And it is spiraling out
of control to the extent that we may move beyond our usual madness of wars
and creating suffering and poverty to destroying the very planet we live on.
It is an evil system which provides immense wealth for a few and destructive
poverty and slavery for the many. It must stop.
Respectfully,
Thomas Lunde
