Wait! Since when could Bush do THAT?! (hell, America, experience)

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by jmoum

Okay, I have two questions. One, since when did the presidents get the power to edit bills as they see fit. It wasn't too long ago that I took government and I sure as hell never learned about that in there.

He doesn't have that power. He's making it up.

Originally Posted by jmoum

And two, who's bright idea was it to allow the presidents to edit bills as they see fit?

Probably a joint product of Karl Rove and Alberto Gonzalez. Bush couldn't have come up with something like this on his own. BTW, THAT is the reason he wanted Alito on the SCOTUS. Alito is expected to approve that unconsitutional procedure. His appointment was about further extending imperial power to the Presidency.

Originally Posted by jmoum

I'm sure anyone, no matter what their political position is, would agree with me when I say that this is a very bad idea.

You'd be surprised. Lawyers are pretty united in thinking it's a bad idea though.

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

First, remember that America is not a democracy.

If you vote you live in a democracy.

Originally Posted by CaptainXeroid

Second, one single man is NOT supposed to have that much power. The problem is that with singing statements, he is usurping the checks and balances written into the Constitution.

Then we have to ask, who is letting him have that much power?

Originally Posted by Djamila

Bosnia is divided into Kantons (roughly the equivalent of American states), and each Kanton's government has far more power over its territory than the central government in Sarajevo.

It's been this way for centuries - you have a similar dynamic in Italy, another country that - like Bosnia - is composed of what were once rather independent city-states that shared a common ethnicity and language and eventually joined together.

Sounds like the UK, we have counties each with its own council/local government.

[JMoum04]

Originally Posted by Halcyon

If you vote you live in a democracy.

There's a difference between a democratic system and a democratic government. If you vote for people to represent you when they're making laws, you're in a Republic Government. If you vote for the laws yourself, you're in a Democratic Government.

[Ciscokid]

Originally Posted by jmoum

Man, screw that. I'm moving to Thailand. At least they have the common sense to kick out the corrupt leaders.

And the women are hotter.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by jmoum

There's a difference between a democratic system and a democratic government. If you vote for people to represent you when they're making laws, you're in a Republic Government. If you vote for the laws yourself, you're in a Democratic Government.

WIKI on the difference between a democracy and a republic:

"Democracy" and "Republic"

In contemporary usage, the term "democracy" refers to a government chosen by the people, whether it is direct or representative.[23] The term "republic" has many different meanings but today often refers to a representative democracy with an elected head of state, such as a President, serving for a limited term, in contrast to states with a hereditary monarch as a the head of state, even if these states also are representative democracies with an elected head of government such as a Prime Minister.[24]
In historical usages and especially when considering the works of the Founding Fathers of the United States, the word "democracy" refers solely to direct democracy, whilst a representative democracy where representatives of the people govern in accordance with laws and usually also a constitution is referred to as a republic.[25][26] Using the term "democracy" to refer solely to direct democracy retains some popularity in United States conservative and libertarian circles.
The original framers of the United States Constitution were notably cognizant of what they perceived as a danger of majority rule in oppressing freedom and liberty of the individual. For example, James Madison, in Federalist Paper No. 10, advocates a constitutional republic over a democracy to protect the individual from the majority. [8] The framers carefully created the institutions within the Constitution and the United States Bill of Rights. They kept what they believed were the best elements of majority rule. But they were mitigated by a constitution with protections for individual liberty, a separation of powers, and a layered federal structure.
Republicanism and Liberalism have complex relationships to democracy and republic. See these articles for more details.

[JMoum04]

Originally Posted by Ciscokid

And the women are hotter.

*Whistles* And how! I see them and I'm like !

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

WIKI on the difference between a democracy and a republic:

Thanks for the info! Frubals!

[spacemonkey]

Technically we live in a Democratic Republic, meaning we get to vote to elect representatives to create and enforce laws and policies.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by spacemonkey

Technically we live in a Democratic Republic, meaning we get to vote to elect representatives to create and enforce laws and policies.

Bingo!