Checks and balances diminishing

[Dr.Who]

The checks and balances our country has enjoyed for many years are gradually diminishing.

They consist of the three branches of government, the states vs the federal government, the voting process, the press, right to bear arms, freedom of religion, etc.

Yet every single one of those is less effective than it once was. All three branches of government have grown greatly and are all dominated by party alliances so that the democrats/republicans in each of the three branches cooperate with each other rather than work against each other. the federal gov holds most of the power. votes seem to make little difference. The press is almost completely biased and the only saving grace is that a few networks are biased in the other direction. Gun rights are shrinking and under direct attack as is relgion.

 

[TruthSeeker]

The checks and balances our country has enjoyed for many years are gradually diminishing.

They consist of the three branches of government, the states vs the federal government, the voting process, the press, right to bear arms, freedom of religion, etc.

Yet every single one of those is less effective than it once was. All three branches of government have grown greatly and are all dominated by party alliances so that the democrats/republicans in each of the three branches cooperate with each other rather than work against each other. the federal gov holds most of the power. votes seem to make little difference. The press is almost completely biased and the only saving grace is that a few networks are biased in the other direction. Gun rights are shrinking and under direct attack as is relgion.

Agreed. But the most important "checks and balances" are the three branches of government that we have. The other checks and balances that you mention (the ballot box, the media, and gun rights) come into play mostly if any of the three branches of government falters or fails.

 

[Hobo1]

I have been observing the same deterioration of individual rights and freedoms for quite some time. When I see something we always considered so inherently evil as Communist China actually kicking our butt, it makes me look even harder at our system.

Perhaps this idea of one person, one vote is not such a good idea. My mother used to say, "the masses are the asses". We have to take a test to show competence in our ability to drive, why not use something to test a persons competency to vote? In a way, that is equivalent to the Communist Party in China who allows only members to vote in elections that have proved themselves qualified to be members of the Party.

Perhaps government is destine to grab more power the longer it exists. That seems to be human nature when they are elected to office. Freedoms will gradually be reduced until we are all controlled by the government.

I am sure the day will come when the right to bear arms will be interpreted to mean only people in the military. The Patriot Act (and others) have severely reduced our protection against search and seizure. The list is long and growing every year.

Computers have dramatically accelerated the loss of freedom. In time, all relevant data bases will be aggregated by the Federal government. Pity the man who fails pay a parking ticket. The police will be at his door and asking about a questionable tax deduction, about the give to a certain "terrorist-related" charity, etc, etc.

And all will be forgiven and justified in the name of maintaining law and order.

 

[Rick]

The federal judiciary is the biggest power hog. The authority of the executive branch waxes and wanes depending who is president. With the leftwing extremist there now, it's tremendously increased.

 

[Dr.Who]

Agreed. But the most important "checks and balances" are the three branches of government that we have. The other checks and balances that you mention (the ballot box, the media, and gun rights) come into play mostly if any of the three branches of government falters or fails.

IF a branch fails?