I'll bite on the U.S. part. The democratic changeover *is* different. It's not all the way the way someone who is lefty would like, true. But it's an end to things like taking away Habeus Corpus.
In fact, I didn't vote for the Dems because I thought they were the best or because I thought getting out of Iraqw would be easy or a solution to anything. I voted strictly on not living under a regime that's slowly edging towards totalitarian.
The Democrats may be corrupt, liars, ineffective, what have you, but they are not dictators.
The Military Commissions Act (or whatever it is called) remains in effect. If it is going to fail, it'll be at the Supreme Court and not through the machinations of elected representatives. Of course, the problem there is that a case needs to get before the Supreme Court which, without habeus corpus, is nearly impossible. Besides, the suspension nof habeus corpus is "only" for non-citizens. At this point, at least. Although there are ways around that inconvenience - "extraordinary rendition," for instance.
Further, it is worth keeping in mind - as you surely know - that American politics has little party discipline. Many Democrats are worse than many Republicans. There's very little in the way of a party line. The most effective strategy, at this conjuncture, is through propositions - for instance, raising the minimum wage.
Yes it still stands, however, no more things like it can be done now. Also, since those non-citizens (which include immigrants who have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism) cannot bring their cases to the supreme court, *anyone* can challenge the law in supreme court flat out. Any bill can be challenged for constitutionality.
There are only a few democrats that are worse than republicans in the ways that actually count. Corruption and philandering I don't count because they exist in every aspect of life in all kinds of people.
The most possible thing to get at this time is actually some form of guest worker or amnesty program for immigrants, because even the President wants that.
Beyond that, actually, the wall that's supposed to be built...is not being built at all, according to the Border Angels organization that gives food and other aid to border crossers. If it *is* built, it will not stop anything. People will just go around, at their peril, but many will still make it.
You haven't convinced me that the democrats are the same as the republicans as the parties stand today. I'm not buying it. There may be a lot of similarities on their personal wealth and background, and the center of the spectrum may have moved right from where it once was, and certainly I'd prefer something rather farther left than they are, but voting them in could be a first step unless we have the defeatist attitude that they are just the same.
By the people doing the rest I meant grassroots orgs, not piddly minimum wage legislation. That won't help undocumented people.
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In fact, I didn't vote for the Dems because I thought they were the best or because I thought getting out of Iraqw would be easy or a solution to anything. I voted strictly on not living under a regime that's slowly edging towards totalitarian.
The Democrats may be corrupt, liars, ineffective, what have you, but they are not dictators.
Everything else we want us up to the people.
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Further, it is worth keeping in mind - as you surely know - that American politics has little party discipline. Many Democrats are worse than many Republicans. There's very little in the way of a party line. The most effective strategy, at this conjuncture, is through propositions - for instance, raising the minimum wage.
no subject
There are only a few democrats that are worse than republicans in the ways that actually count. Corruption and philandering I don't count because they exist in every aspect of life in all kinds of people.
The most possible thing to get at this time is actually some form of guest worker or amnesty program for immigrants, because even the President wants that.
Beyond that, actually, the wall that's supposed to be built...is not being built at all, according to the Border Angels organization that gives food and other aid to border crossers. If it *is* built, it will not stop anything. People will just go around, at their peril, but many will still make it.
You haven't convinced me that the democrats are the same as the republicans as the parties stand today. I'm not buying it. There may be a lot of similarities on their personal wealth and background, and the center of the spectrum may have moved right from where it once was, and certainly I'd prefer something rather farther left than they are, but voting them in could be a first step unless we have the defeatist attitude that they are just the same.
By the people doing the rest I meant grassroots orgs, not piddly minimum wage legislation. That won't help undocumented people.