Michigan, Meet Martial Law

[ExRetailDrone]

What I just read was an event that probably has a 0.0000000000000000000001% chance of ever happening. It's like people assume that as soon as someone gets some power, they will blatently abuse it left and right.

Unfortunately, many politicians over the past few decades have seemed to do just that. Perhaps not in the extreme case that FArchivist has put forth, but that does not mean that power is not being abused and citizens aren't suffering because of it.

Also, speaking of recalls, apparently the tax overhaul bill "includes a $100 appropriation that makes it legally immune to a citizens’ referendum". Fantastic. If this passes and you don't like the state government increasing taxes for individuals while lowering them for businesses? Too bad, nothing you can do. Lovely >.<

[Greenday]

Unfortunately, many politicians over the past few decades have seemed to do just that. Perhaps not in the extreme case that FArchivist has put forth, but that does not mean that power is not being abused and citizens aren't suffering because of it.

Also, speaking of recalls, apparently the tax overhaul bill "includes a $100 appropriation that makes it legally immune to a citizens’ referendum". Fantastic. If this passes and you don't like the state government increasing taxes for individuals while lowering them for businesses? Too bad, nothing you can do. Lovely >.<

I'm not saying politicians don't abuse their power, but I am saying that they don't blatently abuse it so horrifically as suggested.

Are you also implying there was really a lot we could do anyway to prevent politicians from taxing the people more but businesses less in the first place?

[Andara Bledin]

What I just read was an event that probably has a 0.0000000000000000000001% chance of ever happening. It's like people assume that as soon as someone gets some power, they will blatently abuse it left and right.

Probability of it happening is actually irrelevant. They should never have the ability to legally do so in the first place.

^-.-^

[Hyena Dandy]

What I just read was an event that probably has a 0.0000000000000000000001% chance of ever happening. It's like people assume that as soon as someone gets some power, they will blatently abuse it left and right.

It doesn't matter that it probably WON'T happen. It shouldn't even be an OPTION.

X likely won't happen is not a reason to make it possible.

[HYHYBT]

If it *can* happen, sooner or later it will.

[Greenday]

Then I vote we get rid of all government. Because all government has some way abusing their powers so they all will.

[Andara Bledin]

It's always the nuclear option with some people. All or nothing.

What is wrong with striving for control?

^-.-^

[FArchivist]

It's like people assume that as soon as someone gets some power, they will blatently abuse it left and right.

Well, yes, history shows the truth of that. I can't think of any period in US history where power HASN'T been abused, even if you go back to the Founding Fathers.

Then I vote we get rid of all government. Because all government has some way abusing their powers so they all will.

Except that history also shows that option is worse. Civilization, PERIOD, is not possible with government. It was government that actually made it possible in the first place. See your local history textbook. (Or heck, just read "Guns, Germs, & Steel")

[Racket_Man]

Well, yes, history shows the truth of that. I can't think of any period in US history where power HASN'T been abused, even if you go back to the Founding Fathers.

not only the US but most of human history. give a little power to someone and they WILL abuse it either for personal or political gain (and that covers a LOT of ground).

[Greenday]

So if we can't have government because they abuse all their powers, but we can't get rid of government because anarchy is bad, what do we do?

I mean, we are talking about people being able to effectively do something about schools being total crap we just get "ABUSE OF POWER OMGWTFBBQ!!!"

[Boozy]

So if we can't have government because they abuse all their powers, but we can't get rid of government because anarchy is bad, what do we do?

You can have government, you just need a system in place to create difficulties for those who seek to abuse power for personal gain.

In the greater scheme of government systems throughout history, the US hasn't done a bad job. You've got your three branches of government, checks and balances and whatnot. Yes, you still have some serious issues, but you've got a good system to work with.

[Andara Bledin]

So if we can't have government because they abuse all their powers, but we can't get rid of government because anarchy is bad, what do we do?

Wow. Way to read part of a statement and run with it.

We have to have government, but we also have to have limits. You know, just what the last several posts said.

This is not a zero sum game, winner takes all.

^-.-^

[Hyena Dandy]

So if we can't have government because they abuse all their powers, but we can't get rid of government because anarchy is bad, what do we do?

What about government with limit on its powers

[Greenday]

This thread is suggesting we limit the government's ability to actually get stuff done efficiently. I don't understand the point of doing that.

[MadMike]

This thread is suggesting we limit the government's ability to actually get stuff done efficiently. I don't understand the point of doing that.

Are you saying the government should be allowed to have absolute power? History has proven countless times than no one can be trusted with that much power.