Replied to this on Trybe, but apparently forgot to on TIMM.
First of all, GREAT READ! This topic is becoming more important and relevant with each passing day. I completely agree with your sentiment and most of your article. Government is the problem and has been for a long time. It’s a necessary evil that must always be kept on a short leash…something America’s founders understood. Something Americans seem to have forgotten. That said, I do have to disagree with your view of a REPRESENTATIVE democracy -vs- PURE democracy.
Historically, it’s PURE democracies that have led to socialism/communism. This is why Karl Marx constantly argued for a pure democracy. Like countless other communists, Marx preached the following tried and true, age old method. In order to destroy a prosperous nation and usher in socialism/communism, you must first demand a pure democracy. As Benjamin Franklin said, “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.”
We’ve seen countless dictators rise to power who were initially elected within a PURE democracy system. They followed the same predictable 3 step formula.
- Single out an unpopular MINORITY group (i.e, the Jews, the rich, etc).
- Tell the MAJORITY that all their problems are due to that small minority group.
- Tell the MAJORITY you can solve their problems by taking from and punishing the MINORITY group.
The pitch goes something like this…
“My fellow citizens, you've been treated unfairly for far too long! You live under a system that protects the evil (insert minority group) who have caused all your problems. I say NO MORE! If you elect me, I’ll make sure you get your fair share! The evil (insert minority group) have profited off you for far too long. If you’ll simply give up those pesky individual liberties, which so unfairly protect those evil (insert minority group), I’ll make them pay for oppressing you! I’ll take from 'them' and return to you what’s rightfully yours! Of course you will no longer have any individual rights…but fear not! Trust me...I only want the ability to punish 'them'. I’d never do anything to harm you, the righteous majority!”
How many times have we heard a new dictator utter those exact words? We all know how that ends...and yet, people fall for it over and over again.
A direct democracy is 3 wolves and 2 sheep sitting around a table, voting on what to eat for dinner. It NEVER works out well for the sheep. Mob rule is not the answer. We’ve seen its disastrous results in countless societies all throughout history. Surprisingly, Hollywood even created a blockbuster film (based on the novel, The Hunger Games) displaying the predictable outcome of a society governed by mob rule (direct democracy). Basically, you end up enslaving the few to the will of the mob…and anyone can become a slave if you dare speak out against the mob.
This is why America’s Constitution and Bill of Rights is NOT made up of things the government will do for the people. Instead, it outlines things the government can NOT do to the people. It’s also why the constitution can NOT be changed by a simple majority vote. It requires a 2/3 majority. It actually gives the little guy a real voice. It actually prevents the 3 wolves from eating the 2 sheep…even if the will of the majority is to eat the sheep.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m NOT saying a representative democracy is perfect. Not by a long shot. But it is the best system man kind has created to date IMO. Can we do better? YES…and that’s where your many excellent points on crypto’s ability to change the world comes in. I completely agree Crypto can make the current system better…or even obsolete. I agree America has gone down hill. You're right, it has been operating more and more like a socialist country for decades. The federal government was NEVER meant to hold this much power.
You know there's a problem when a guy living a thousand miles away in Washington D.C has more effect on the local community than the Mayor of the city. You know there's a problem when elected government officials are no longer subject to the laws they themselves create. You know there's a problem when one side labels you a racist, sexist, homophobic bigot for simply disagreeing with them politically. I could go on and on.
The problem is not a representative democracy. The problem is we no longer operate as a real representative democracy. My Mayor has no real power...it's all channeled through the federal government. The answer isn't mob rule, nor is it consolidating power into the hands of a few. The answer has to be something in the middle. Something transparent and immune to corruption. Something like...blockchain.
OK, rant over. Sorry to get off on a tangent. Your article is very compelling and well written BB. I hope you keep it up!
RE: Give me Liberty, or give me Death! – Part 2