I have a ticked off UK friend, who thinks Bush has gone too far...

How is America NOT a democracy? If it isn't, what is it?

I used to not think about it much at all. At election time, I would look at what was published on the different candidates, think about what my stance was on each issue and vote for the one that was closest. The rest of the time, it was out of mind. At that time, I voted almost purely Republican. Now, I consider politics a much more interesting subject, maybe because most of the people interested in it are relatively intelligent and I do not have enough highly intelligent conversations as I would like. Regardless of why, through my endeavors in the last few years of learning my own point of view on politics, I have realized that I now believe in the ideals of the libertarian party. Anyway, America was never a democracy, it is a republic. As such, we elect leaders. Those leaders make decisions. If we don't like the decisions, we don't re-elect the person. The original idea behind a republic is that if the leaders that are elected are wise, then no matter the situation, their decisions will be wise. Unfortunately, most Americans do not vote for a wise leader, they vote for a leader that agrees with them. Why? Politicians have far too much power. So, peopler want that power to be used to move the country toward what they want, regardless of what is right. The key to libertarianism is that people don't konw what is right for everyone else. Whether it is the president or any other politician, they should not have enough power to highly influence another person's life on a daily basis. Unfortunately, in the US, they currently do. I have heard a lot of people say something similar to, "Why should I vote, both candidates will do something stupid while they are in office." This is likely true. All people make mistakes. Libertarians believe that individual citizens should be allowed to make the decisions for their life. If they make mistakes, it effects them. No one should have ultimate power. When the government has too much power, each citizen loses his individuality. I am no longer the person I was, I am only a robot. If you feel at all similar, look into the libertarian party. For those of you not in the US, see if there is a similar party in your country.

dont worry my friend. we arn't mad at you, we know that like most of us you are good people and beleive in fairness. but, also like us, your evil uncle (the government) is making you do things you don't want to. so you're not to blame, just as our people arn't to blame.

well, we'll all die, eventually. I prefer to live until i'm 135. People in the UK are in a quagmire just as we are, they also have troops in the same war as us and their lead man is having issues with his popularity as well. The world IS messed up, there's no doubt about that.