The monarchy

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Janny
Um... I was watching The West Wing the other day... all the people in it, besides President Sheen, all the poeple who wield power are unelected. Toby, for example, many key decisions, yes, knows secrets, yup, well paid, yup, elected, well no...

Sorry, I don't watch the show. I don't know who these people are.

[B]]Originally posted by The Gaffer
...But the issue in democraticness is not just about electing people, it's about consultation and accountability.

Hear, hear!

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Fenir_LacDanan
Thats because America, like most of the world, is actually a republic, not a democracy. A republic is the system of government in which we elect leaders to speak for us, and they appoint their own aids and so forth. A democracy, or at least the theory of one, is direct representation of the people in government, and the people have a direct role in every decision, which would be impossible in most countries given their size.

Well, I see your point... I certainly don't feel like I was properly represented in this damn war with Iraq.

oops... ... that's another thread... my bad.

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by Janny
Is that praise of Mr. Blair?

Mr. Blair may be a lot of things, but you can't say that he's a dumb shite.

[The Gaffer]

Originally posted by Janny
Is that praise of Mr. Blair?

Sorry, I know it's upsetting, but he's no idiot. (Looking back at some of my previous posts in this thread - in my old incarnation as Dunadan - a couple of years ago I was still giving him the benefit of the doubt; how things have changed)

He's not the most convincing performer at the despatch box, but no politician can get anywhere in the UK without being able to hold their own in that sort of arena.

[The Gaffer]

But here's a choice, on-topic self-quote for ya:

Originally posted by Dunadan
I want to see It's a Proper Royal Knockout, where they get dressed up in silly costumes, play ridiculous games and the prize is a chunk of Civil List loot. The losers get their P45 and a job cleaning toilets till next year.