Iran has free elections too: just today they chose a new president out of six candidates. The ad-hominem speech that you exhibit has always been characteristic of communists: Lenin was a master of it for one. And that's where US is slowly going...
Re:“Whistleblower welcome in China”
by wavefunction on Saturday June 15, 2013 @03:51PM
(#5886095)
I voted you up, but keep in mind it was 6 candidates acceptable to the existing power structure.
Keep in mind that US elections are generally between 2 candidates acceptable to the existing power structure, with a sideshow of more novel/progressive/interesting candidates who can't win because it's set up to be almost structurally impossible for them to.
Re:“Whistleblower welcome in China”
by wavefunction on Saturday June 15, 2013 @10:56PM
(#5887250)
I would be the first person to agree with you.
How do we fix it :-/ I think a proportional voting system would open it up, but that conversation is so far from the one we have on the national stage that it seems ludicrous.
Re:“Whistleblower welcome in China”
by wavefunction on Sunday June 16, 2013 @10:01AM
(#5888456)
I don't know, it's so completely complicated. I would think we'd have to move to a parliamentary system to really break the duopoly. The media demonizes and marginalizes any other political parties in America, and Americans want to be "winners" so some even vote for a party based only on the perception that they will be the triumphant side.
The problem is that it seems like for most people, choosing between a few options is preferable than to have to carefully examine and choose from a wider array.
The ad-hominem speech that you exhibit has always been characteristic of communists: Lenin was a master of it for one. And that's where US is slowly going...
Don't you see the irony of accusing him of an ad hominem argument to try to win your argument? That's an ad hominem argument!
That is an ad hominem argument.
Re:“Whistleblower welcome in China”
by greatergoodguy on Saturday June 15, 2013 @01:36PM
(#5885691)
Free election is fine when the people know the truth. Not when people are gullible and easily manipulated. Not when people are selfish and think only for themselves. China is a country that thinks about the greater good. I've been to China. It's quite nice.
I too hate the hyperbolic bullshit in these political discussions, but it's perfectly possible to point strictly to the hyperbolic bullshit itself and call it what it is without getting personally offensive towards the author.
Your overly hateful and antagonizing message is not necessary. Please take another look at the posting guidelines: http://ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html
Have you been to China?
USA! USA! USA! By any chance?
Seriously, have you been to China? Have you dealt with their government? TEHRE ARE NO FREE ELECTIONS IN CHINA. You fucking, fucking idiot.