Democracy: two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch

[Kulapavana]

Let’s Hear It For Democracy!

by Paul Hein

 

In a grim sort of way, it’s amusing to hear the government’s justifications for the carnage in Iraq.

 

Initially, we went there to rid the world of Weapons of Mass Destruction, after the nightmare of September 11, 2001. But there were no WMDs, and Iraq, and its President, had nothing to do with 911. Well, never mind. Saddam was a vicious tyrant, and had to be removed. Of course, the planet is studded with vicious tyrants, but Saddam’s viciousness and tyranny were so egregious that it was obviously the proper job of the United States (not Denmark or Argentina!) to remove him. That was accomplished, but so what? Incredibly, the Iraqis keep shooting at our soldiers, totally ungrateful for the service we had provided them.

 

Now, it turns out, we really are in Iraq to bring democracy to the Iraqis. Who can argue with that? Democracy, like motherhood and social security, is beyond criticism. All social good flows from it. At least that is the impression I got from reading an article by Richard N. Haass, who was not only the Director of Policy Planning Staff, U.S. Department of State, but, perhaps more importantly, is the President of the Council on Foreign Relations, and Director of Foreign Policy Studies at the Brookings Institute. For one thing, as Mr. Haass tells us, "Democracy is also closely linked to prosperity. Economic growth in South Korea, Taiwan, and Chile helped create a stronger foundation for democracy in each of these nations, while the transparent rule of law and greater equality of opportunity fostered by democracy in turn helps spur economic growth and prosperity." Wow! Just give people a vote and they’ll get rich.

 

But it’s more than just money. "Democracy," Mr. Haass continues, " is based on a diffusion of power in government and in society. In a democratic government, power is distributed such that no one voice dominates. – A strong government must face the constraint of an electable opposition at every level. Democratic leaders enjoy temporary power that must be transferred. John Adams was a great U.S. president for many reasons, but arguably none was more important than his willingness to relinquish power peacefully when he lost a bitterly contested election to Thomas Jefferson." John Adams is a strange choice of presidents to cite in a paean to democracy. He said, "There was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." Indeed, it would be difficult to cite anything favorable to democracy from the Founding Fathers. Ben Franklin’s remark is well remembered: "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch." And the Founders’ attitude toward democracy is further shown in their adoption of a Constitution that did not permit the direct election by the people of Senators, or the President.

 

"Democratic leaders," Mr. Haass tells us, "lease their authority rather than own it, so to speak, because their grant of authority comes from the people. The office retains the power, not the individual." Would it be quibbling to ask what difference it makes? If an individual has authority (over others – what else?) he has authority, period. And the office doesn’t exercise the authority, the office-holder does. If I am shot with a leased gun, are my chances of survival enhanced thereby?

 

The glories of democracy are not limited, moreover. Muslims can enjoy them also. "Dynamic reform experiments underway in many parts of the Muslim world demonstrate that democracy and Islam are compatible. In September 2002, citizens of Morocco voted in the freest, fairest, and most transparent elections in the country’s history, creating a diverse new parliament. In October 2002, the people of Bahrain cast votes for the first time in 30 years to elect a parliament."

 

Democracy is desirable, then, because it is "closely linked" to prosperity, and allows self-determination by voting. But does it?

 

The social institution most closely linked to prosperity must surely be freedom! A people given the opportunity to act without government-imposed restraints in satisfying their own needs and desires will almost certainly prosper. Strangers with authority cannot enhance that prosperity, whether that authority comes from birth, or is begged, borrowed, or stolen at the ballot box. It is obvious, in fact, that government places roadblocks on the way to prosperity at every turn, and seizes the profits of every enterprise to distribute as it sees fit.

 

And is voting something to be desired, when the choice is between Tweedledum and Tweedledee? I am an old man, yet I cannot recall an election when anything of importance hinged on the election of candidate A over candidate B. The trend toward ever larger, more tyrannical government proceeds smoothly, regardless of elections. And why should that be surprising? Government is a big business, probably the biggest. Is it going to throw up for grabs its important executive positions every few years? Does any business operate that way? The drug store on the corner does not allow strangers to pick its top management positions bi-annually. If it were forced to do so, it would obviously offer, as candidates, good "company men" who could be trusted to continue running things in the old familiar way. Anything else would be madness. Recall the elections in the Soviet Union, when 90% of the people voted. A triumph of democracy!

 

Finally, what government does not claim that it operates democratically, with the welfare of the people in mind? Every tin pot dictator insists that he does the will of the people, and functions only for their benefit. If he calls his system "democracy," and even has nice elections to prove it, does that make the people free? If the ultimate goal of men in society is to be free, then any government, whatever entitled, is undesirable.

 

June 14, 2004

 

[Kulapavana]

US is ruled by greedy vaishas who buy everybody they need and destroy all who stand in their way to make more money. Communism is sudra rule, so US is just a tad above it... but unfortunately it is the demonic people who end up holding the reins of power in both cases.

[theist]

But within demonic groups there are important differences. Some are controlled totally by greed but they are willing to fight to stop ohers from being tortured, and willing to procure for them the basic freedom to choose God or not(a most sacred freedom that even Krsna Himself respects).

 

While others forbid those under them to even openly discuss God. Yet others invade a beings private space and forbid them from practicing another religion, even by force. Hindus stopping Christian conversions by forth , Muslims prevent the names of Krsna to be sung in public or even heard by other Muslims.

 

This is kali-yuga. Sometimes you have to take out a thorn with a thorn. Pick your thorn wisely.

[ancient_paztriot]

let the truth be know…

 

(I hope ISKCON is still doing that duty in a few months… considering the bankruptcy).

[Kulapavana]

having lived under both demonic vaishya and demonic sudra rules I can honestly say that the first one is a little better /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

as to ISKCON being stopped by bankrupcy: ISKCON is us. it wont stop untill we stop. Jaya Prabhupada! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[ancient_paztriot]

The first one also provides HOPE not found anywhere else. Everyone has access to the highest truth.

 

To sum it up: the biggest hypocrites rule.

 

(I'm in a postion to profit from ISKCON sales. But I find the whole concept disgusting).

[theist]

 

as to ISKCON being stopped by bankrupcy: ISKCON is us. it wont stop untill we stop. Jaya Prabhupada!

 

 

excerpt:

 

Just like we have got this temple. We are worshiping Rädhä-Krsna Deity. That’s all right. But side by side we must develop to hear about Krsna. Otherwise it will be finished after a few days. Çravaëaà kértanam. As soon as there will be no interest for hearing about God, all these churches and temples and mosques will be finished. In the Christian world that is happening, not only Christian, in other also. They are selling churches. Nobody is going to church, because simply officially going on Sunday without any enlightenment, without any understanding about God, how long it will be prolonged? It cannot be prolonged. People will be disinterested, and they will not go. Actually it is happening. There are so many churches, nobody is going. In London, I have seen. In your country also, there are so many churches vacant. We have purchased so many churches. In Los Angeles we have purchased that church. When it was running as a church, it was a deserted (indistinct). Since we have taken that, every night, every day, hundreds of people are gathering like this, because there is words of Krsna. And people are hearing about Krsna. Viñvaksena-kathäsu yaù. So you can have your churches, temple or mosque, but if you do not develop your tendency to hear about God, then it will not be successful, çrama eva hi kevalam. Çrama eva hi kevalam.

Dharmaù svanuñöhitaù. Dharmaù svanuñöhitaù puàsäà viñvaksena-kathäsu yaù notpädayed yadi ratim [sB 1.2.8], by going daily to the temple, or to the church, or to the mosque, or anywhere, any religious building or institution, if you do not develop your propensity to hear about God, then you have wasted your time. Çrama eva hi kevalam. Going and coming, it is simply labor, that’s all. So that is the test. Therefore either in temple, or in church, in mosque there must be regular recitation on the talks of God. Otherwise people will lose interest, and the churches and temples have to be closed.

[ancient_paztriot]

It's obvious that Prabhupada is speaking about failure of duty.

 

Krsna can certainly do anything He wants. But that doesn't mean the current program is His desire. If we people do not take the initiative to serve Krsna sincerely… well, He's probably not gonna bother showing up to do it Himself. I mean He just did that!

 

You don't have to be a pure devotee to serve. Seems to me that takes many lifetimes. You just have to have a little intelligence to engage in satisfying His desire. That resolution is the purifying force.

 

We are used to tasting success when cheating others. But that doesn't happen with Krsna.

 

We are cheating ourselves.

[Tarun]

Great title - is there any hope for World Peace when almost all r fully engaged slaughtering & devouring animals?

Capitalism's Tasty Delight? Meat-eating our Sacred Cow?

[Guest guest]

Sir:

 

America was founded as a Republic, not a democracy. Marx wanted "democracy", Madison did not. Why is it that pur modern politicians say "democracy"?

 

All the best,

A True Monotheist

[Kulapavana]

a republic is considered one of democratic forms of government. Marx wanted a "dictatoriat of the proletaryat" (sudra rule) not a democracy.

 

and the politicians say whatever gets them elected.