Do some people see the US Government as the King of England?

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   Don Wposted 13 years ago

   The US national identity is closely intertwined with the idea of independence and liberty. This is part of the nations character. At risk of asking a silly question, what effect if any do you think this has on domestic politics? Is it the source of antipathy towards big government from some quarters? Is a large Federal government seen in the same light as the British Empire in the 18th century? Or is that too simple a view?

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   ahorsebackposted 13 years ago

   Don , Good question , of course America was founded upon the very principles of a people wanting freedom from a distant, aloof and highly taxing kingdom !From a government of colonizing hierarchy leading people by the end of a sword tip of taxation.  Unfortunately the old "of the people by the people for the people " has itself become just that which it ran from in the beginning!  And to boot it know seems to be the new colonialist Kingdom  of" nation builders"!

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      Don Wposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Playing devils advocate, could it be that big business which virtually owns the Government, is actually the oppressor? And could it be that it is exactly the spirit of independence and liberty that is driving people to protest at the "distant, aloof" forces of corporations that now control every single aspect of their daily lives.
      
      Aren't the rag-tag, disorganised, bunch of people standing up for themselves against the might of Wall Street, the same as the relatively rag-tag, bunch of dis-organised people who started standing up for themselves against the might of the British Empire? The people in New York are outnumbered, out-trained and outmatched by the civil, economic and political forces that oppose them. Yet they continue their struggle, because they believe what they are asking for is just. Their ancestors were outnumbered, out-trained and outmatched by the military and economic forces that opposed them. Yet they continued their struggle because they believed what they were asking for was just.
      
      When we see those people pepper-sprayed, pushed to the ground, dragged through the Street, yet still stand in defiance demanding their right to self-determination, are they not showing the same qualities as those killed by the British for demanding the same?
      
      I wonder, who in America is showing the very character on which the nation was built, the very character the US flag has come to symbolise, the very character that the world admires most about the country, if not they?

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   ahorsebackposted 13 years ago

   Your final question intrigues me , To answer ; those who have defended , payed thier taxes ,  attended the voting polls. Continually and silently , yes even conformingly , given year after year to the causes of our freedom , to the vigilance of being the best people in the world  when it comes to donating to and saving every nation that holds it's hands out. But I have to say , that isn't the college kid that hasn't found a suitable job yet , and its not the professional protesters of youthful dreadlocks   !

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      Don Wposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That seems an honest, straightforward answer to a provocative question asked in the spirit of playing devils advocate. No insult was intended, and I hope none taken. Sincerest apologies if it was.
      
      It is interesting how things are playing out in the country and how different sections of society characterise themselves within the narrative. Those who named the Tea Party clearly wish to align themselves with people and events that are an important part of national history. I wonder if that is how the current protesters see themselves, or whether they have deliberately avoided drawing parallels from the past, or whether they just don't consider it relevant.

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   ahorsebackposted 13 years ago

   Don , I am afraid more of whats going on today is simply a mash of different idealists mixing together in an justifiable  anger ! But an unorganized one ! If the American voter could just disolve its partyist mentality , it would change the word! I am never insulted here in forums , all of this only helps to open our minds a bit at a time ! You raised an interesting point! And we all need to put more thought and action into our future !

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