Fanatic attacks in Australia, hostages taken in cafe

bb1 wrote:I don't greatly like Putin or Obama, LL - the difference is, I respect Putin, and have bottomless contempt for Obama.

Now why did I get the impression you dislike Obama?   Me, I'm neutral there, and no, I have no respect for Putin, sorry.   He's just a KGB man with a wafer-thin veneer of democracy.   LL

But that's a big part of it, LL. There are no mysteries about Putin, no-one ever has to question his parentage, or his loyalty to Russia.

Then compare him with Obama. There are MANY questions about his origins, and he grew up with more communists than Putin did. Obama consistently does things that hurt ordinary Americans, and the wider world. He also acts like a disrespectful oaf.

Is it Obama himself? Whoever's pulling his strings? A bit of both? I don't know, but it's nothing good.

I am unable to say anything about Obama, but I see Jeb Bush is saying he will possibly run for President - does anybody want another Bush in the White House, especially one who supported his brother over WMDs and boots on the ground in the Middle East? As I have no real interest in this, I'm backing off now as I hate arguments. LL

Er, I'm not arguing, just exchanging views.

We're outsiders looking in, but frankly, if the next Presidential election is Bush v. Clinton, then America may as well abandon any pretence of being a democratic republic, it will have become an oligarchy/monarchy officially, with the crown being swapped between a handful of elites.

I don't like causing offence to Americans, they're victims of this too, but IMO this will be the final failure of the two-party system. There simply doesn't seem to be any room for original, dissenting voices, like Ron or Rand Paul.

I recommend reading Ron Paul, LL, you will be awestruck by his sheer good sense, honesty and care for his country.

t will have become an oligarchy

Which will put it on a par with Russia. LL

Possibly worse, LL, as it will be presented to the world with democratic trappings - Will of the People, etc., when in reality the fix has been in for months.

I just don't see how only two political parties can possibly fairly represent the views of the voters, there has to be room for the irritating maverick. Yes, even George Galloway, little though I like him.

I think the big problem is that most countries do tend to have two main parties, with smaller parties trying to get their word in.   The USA has two right leaning parties, no opposition such as in the UK.  It doesn't even have anything like UKIP.   Ans as far as I can see the 'Tea Party' is as much use as a cow in a thunderstorm, all mouth and nae knickers!   I think the 'purging' of the commies in the 1950s set a precedent that anyone who disagreed with the Dems and Reps have to be setting out to destroy the state.    And Russia's political system is also very suspect.  

In its post-Soviet Union days, Russia has drawn criticism for a tightly controlled political process in which there's little room for opposition parties. In addition to many smaller parties dozens were and still are rejected for official registration, including the People's Freedom Party attempt in 2011 by former deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov. Vague reasons are often given for denials, raising accusations of political motivations behind the decision; the reason given for denying registration to Nemtsov's party was "the inconsistency in the party's charter and other documents filed for the official registration."

I believe the problem is mainly because men are in  charge and they take positions and puff out their chests and start wars.    And it is women who pick up the pieces and try and bring some semblance of sanity to the proceedings.    Just my opinion, you understand. LL

Ron and Rand Paul are both common sense decent human beings and personally, I would always welcome them.

And it is women who pick up the pieces and try and bring some semblance of sanity to the proceedings.

...Unless they're called Hilary Clinton, or Pelosi, etc.......