Why do we let our leaders lie to us?

^ I wouldn't dare..

How many pessimistic people!!

And how many commonplaces!!

Ahhh, do is this the destiny of western countries?

C'mon

Andrea Cortese wrote: How many pessimistic people!! And how many commonplaces!! Ahhh, do is this the destiny of western countries? C'mon

I see Mr Burlesconi has been bribing the husband of one of our senior ministers. How naughty of him..

Still, I guess crooks of a feather flock together.

There is a lot of pessimism, you're right of course, but in terms of our leaders what is there specifically to be optimistic about? World peace? No. The environment? No. Civil liberties? No, at least not here. Help me out!...  

Syzygy wrote: The question isn't so much why do we let them lie to us, but why are we surprised when it happens?

I think we Europeans are naturally more sceptical of those in power, than Americans. Thats my perception anyway. Any thoughts on that from our US contributors? Bearing in mind that was not intended as a dig at America..  

The only surprise for me, is as you suggest Chris, when others are surprised by it!

Empathy wrote: Blacksword wrote: Syzygy wrote: The question isn't so much why do we let them lie to us, but why are we surprised when it happens? I think we Europeans are naturally more sceptical of those in power, than Americans. Thats my perception anyway. Any thoughts on that from our US contributors? Bearing in mind that was not intended as a dig at America..   No misconstued dig at America taken. Not that I haven't made my fair share of them myself I do think that's a bit of a misconception, however. There's plenty of regions in the U.S. in whch a majority of the public has a healthy skepticism of government. I firmly believe it's directly proportional to education. Those that are naturally curious about how things got "the way they are", pursue education, whether formalized or self-administered. They also tend to listen to Prog. The more informed you are, the more you can recognize when you're being manipulated.

I agree with that!

I'm aware that anti war feeling in the US is rife at the moment. You have lost over 2000 servicemen in Iraq, and I'm sure that must have some baring on that. Anti war feeling has always been high here, but that seems to be more to do with the percieved illegality of the conflict.

Do you think, when Bush finishes this term, the Republicans will get in again??

Short answer?

Because we expect them to, and because moral standards are declining, IMO.

Sigh, it doesn't matter anymore. From what I've been hearing, the U.S. will lose so much power in the coming years due to outsourcing, and Americans won't know how to handle it. ever since our inception, we've been on top. Will that last forever? One could argue it's the best country for the richer of civilians to live in, but at what price?

I was just reading the paper today, and there was and editorial about Guantanimo Bay, and the disgusting acts committed there. I wouldn't mind it as much if they were proven terrorists, but so far I've yet to see one shred of evidence. If there is any, our leaders have know idea how to handle it. They never come out with evidence for anything! They always just say, "We have evidence. Trust us," or they'll say "We can't do it for national security reasons." We have no security! We are as vulnerable as a newborn child, and they know it.

Syzygy wrote: Communism never succeded largely because it was always imposed as the result either of a violent uprising or following invasion and occupation by a more powerful state - basically, by military force. Why the USA thinks that democracy (more specifically, a consumer capitalist friendly oligarchy) can be successfully imposed by military force is mystifying, and why the British government goes along with this is even more so.

Mystifying? Perhaps -- unless they're only there to secure "their" oil supply.

(Oh what a cynic am I!)

Just to play devil's advocate here, Syzygy, what about the examples of (West) Germany and Japan?

Didn't the US arguably "successfully impose democracy via military force" there?