Funny that a constitutionally guaranteed right is “living in a dictatorship.”

Over the last two centuries the people have systematically been distanced from government because they no longer feel they have a real stake in government. The idea of citizenship is predicated on ownership, as a stakeholder. Citizenship in this country, our culture, has been devalued over time.

Personally, I would like to see a voting requirement re-instituted. The idea that a voting right is presumed has caused us more damage than it has helped. And it will get worse. Alexander Fraser Tyler said a democracy “…can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury.”

I have mentioned property ownership in the past, but I think a minimal, voluntary, military service would certainly qualify too (2 or 4 yrs peacetime service or 1 combat tour).

If the voting block perceives they have nothing to lose and everything to gain, they are not true stakeholders. And this is one reason why they focus their energies on worthless entertainment and opinion delivered by an inept and corrupt (or co opted) news corporation.

PS: what is this commentluv button? do i need that?

Its sad that people pay more attention to silly TV shows than what is currently happening with their government. The apathy is appalling.

Its sad to think that server your country as a juror is a privilege not a punishment. Its a right guaranteed to us, a trial by our peers.

My point is if political leaders don’t understand the Constitution there is a problem. If citizens don’t expect more from their political leaders there is a problem. When the media gives our leaders a free pass there is a problem.
When the media stops questioning our government and just goes along with them IE ABC News and Obama’s Healthcare with no counter point, I think that is a failure. I understand free speech and the media being a business and producing content the masses want. However the media used to provide the service of giving the people the facts and letting them decide. The media has stopped and is now more content to talk about Michael Jackson. And when the media does speak of government it’s one sided and/or they don’t ask tough questions.

I watch my local leaders and I watch my Federal leaders. I write, I call and try to be proactive. My point was most people don’t. People are apathetic and fail to act and it’s their own fault. Again I think the media has a duty to provide details but in addition the media also can provide more leverage than those of us who are constantly being pushed away by our representatives. Our leaders love to keep people at a distance by making it harder to send mail, to email or to even call. What other options do I have when my national leaders don’t live local?

If I read it correctly, a major feat in itself, you have stated that the First Amendment is in danger because conservative talk radio hosts are ranting against the Republicans. Isn’t that the very definition of free speech?

You also blamed cable TV because they were catering to the masses. Again, isn’t that another definition of free speech? The “government” did not step in and demand they cover the Iranian election or the congressional tax hearings or Obama’s health care initiatives. As bizarre as it seems, the cable news channels gave the public what it wants.

If no one is watching our political leaders, whose fault is it? The news channels? Sorry. The fault, dear Brutus, is in ourselves. The average American would rather bitch about their representative’s actions rather than express their wishes to them and “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

If you haven’t contacted your representatives and expressed your opinions, wishes and desires, don’t lay the blame on the media. Stand up and take responsibility for yourselves. That same piece of paper you referred to earlier guarantees your right to do so.