The fate of every democracy, of every government based on the sovereignty of the people, depends on the choices it makes between these opposite principles, absolute power on the one hand, and on the other the restraints of legality and the authority of tradition.
quote by John Acton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
There is no stopping the world's tendency to throw off imposed restraints, the religious authority that is based on the ignorance of the many, the political authority that is based on the knowledge of the few.
quote by Van Wyck Brooks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The unhappy legacies of authoritarianism can be removed only if the concept of absolute power as the basis of government is replaced by the concept of confidence as the mainspring of political authority: the confidence of the people in their right and ability to decide the destiny of their nation, mutual confidence between the people and their leaders and, most important of all, confidence in the principles of justice, liberty and human rights.
quote by Aung San Suu Kyi
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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People Power. A rant.
The people’s voice so long suppressed.
Has now been forcibly expressed
Egyptians want democracy.
The world is waiting now to see
if their demands meet with success.
The winds of change are blowing free.
So tyrants sleep uneasily
They fear to hear the people’s voice
but really they have little choice.
If people choose democracy.
They can no longer rule by force.
Its time to take a different course.
The people have the power to
discard the old bring in the new.
By just resisting passively.
I have no doubt that some will die
As the dictators vainly try.
To cling to power at any cost
a battle that’s already lost.
The people will sweep them away.
The western world must wait and
see what happens next uneasily.
We have no right to interfere
although we have good cause to fear.
The power games that people play.
The world is changing rapidly.
Because of new technology.
Information is exchanged,
the internet has rearranged.
What people are allowed to say.
They have the opportunity
to state their views quite openly
For and against the government.
Although it seems that discontent
is the major force in play..
The peoples will is paramount
They will demand a close account.
From those they give authority
to take control and over see.
the changes that they need today..
Perhaps we too need to review.
A process which is over due
Our concept of democracy
at least our foreign policy..
We do not have the right to say.
What other countries ought to do
Because they are entitled to.
Do whatever they think best
to pacify the deep unrest.
the people have the final say.
If they decide to give assent
to a form of government.
Which may not be democracy
but suits the vast majority.
We have no reason for dissent.
We may quite well learn something new
That makes us take a different view.
Of the systems now in place.
By which we choose our government.
Which do not work as they were meant..
The powers that be may disagree.
Because they do not want to see.
The fault and flaws that now exist.
Although they preach democracy
They breach the rules in secrecy.
Although they may control the press
and the media more or less.
They can’t control the internet.
If they are wise they’ll recognise
That people can see through their lies.
Sunday,13 February 2011
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poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
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Everything belongs to people
Everything belongs to people
Give back to the people
Give back their land their forest
Their hills mountains rivers
Give back to the people
Earth mines irons etc etc
Everything belongs to the people
Give the people the power
In democracy everything belongs
To people and democracy is
Of the people by the people and
For the people and people are
At the centre of power progress
Prosperity public funds
People are there just to forgive
And forget and do not take
The advantage of their ignorance
made the people know everything
Everything belongs to people
People are the people in this system
And the system depends on you only
You can make it coal
And people are there to group.
poem by Gajanan Mishra
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In order every one in our homeland learns principles of democracy and the peaceful transition of power, and in order to stabilize and develop multiple choices in democratic practice.
quote by Ali A. Saleh
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Election Time!
A series of elections from states to nation
Surely makes all diverted to election only!
People's power is exercised in democracy;
But now money power rules in democracy!
Now the fight is between people and money
The winner decides the fate of the nation!
Corruption is top most dominant force now;
To consolidate its power election has come!
Can corruption be eliminated by laws or will?
Civil society has to come forward to do that!
Will civil society take the lead to do its duty?
Or simply succumb to gimmicks of bureaucracy?
Elections come and people elect someone to power;
But bureaucracy dispenses duties by corruption...!
poem by Ramesh T A
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Know the difference between principles based on right or wrong vs. principles based on personal gain, and consider the basis of your own principles.
quote by Marilyn vos Savant
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Apathy rages unchecked
The time has come for real debate about the power of the state.
to interfere with liberties we have enjoyed for centuries.
Encouraged by our apathy the state moves forward stealthily
towards its long desired goal exerting power and control.
Reducing our right to choose intolerant of other views
The state knows best their constant theme as secretly they plot and scheme
To alter the existing laws and thus gain power to enforce
Further curbs on liberty, stealing power insidiously.
The time has come to call a halt, root out the guilty men at fault.
Strip them of all authority which they obtained dishonestly.
Remind them that the people rule. The government is just a tool
which we employ to do a task, or is that far too much to ask.
I am free born a citizen, a man just like all other men
I do not need a nanny state which has the power to dictate.
to tell me what to eat and drink and try to tell me what to think.
It’s time the people aired their views and stated firmly they refuse
to allow any government to act without their full consent.
Is this a democracy? to me it doesn’t seem to be.
Although you may reject my views while you have the power to choose.
15-Feb-08
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
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The So Called Honorable
For to cling to power or for need of power on most policies they disagree
Between the Government and their Opposition there's does not seem much difference to me
Those out of power verbally attack those in power that is how it's been for years
Who wins or loses the Election should not be cause for joy or tears.
Who is in or out of power I for one do not care
That they do not bring change to my life for the good I am all too aware
Democracy is the best form of Government by many we are told
But the workings of Parliament has not changed from the long gone days of old.
Of the praises of Democratically Elected Governments many feel happy to sing
But in Parliament that Parliamentarians obliged to vote with their own parties does not seem a democratic thing
And that the Party or Parties elected by the majority of the voters makes decisions for everyone
Is hardly true democracy when all is said and done.
The hierarchy refer to Parliamentarins as the honorable a title he or she for life does keep
But such a title for most Politicians makes the word honor seem cheap
Like dysfunctional adolescents in Parliament every day
Supposed to be honorable men and women behave in a most immature way.
poem by Francis Duggan
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What Are The Requirements Of Democracy?
What are
the requirements
of democracy
in an ennobled
modern society
incorporating
principles
of uncompromising
absolute justice
to light the way?
Democracy requires
accountability
democracy requires
transparency
especially
when extraordinary
steps are taken.
Above all else
democracy requires
compliance with
the rule of law.
Law both domestic
and foreign especially
to achieve maintain
international credibility.
Compliance is impossible
when an extraordinary
despicable technique
such as torture operates
outside of rule the law.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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If Hitler had had the talents and the temperament of a genuine artist, if Stalin had had the capacity to become a first-rate theoretician, if Napoleon had had the makings of a great poet or philosopher they would hardly have developed the all-consuming lust for absolute power. Freedom gives us a chance to realize our human and individual uniqueness. Absolute power can also bestow uniqueness: to have absolute power is to have the power to reduce all the people around us to puppets, robots, toys, or animals, and be the only man in sight. Absolute power achieves uniqueness by dehumanizing others.
quote by Eric Hoffer
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Democrazy
DEMOCRAZY.
Melvin Banggollay
Many says
Democracy before
Is a government of the people,
by the will of the people,
for the people,
but to many people
fooled by other people
It's a government to off the people
, to buy the people and
fear the people
and this defines democrazy
of crazy people to off the people,
buy the will of the people
and fear the people.
Government must be sensitive enough
to respect the will of the people
for democracy to be always
a government
of the people,
by the people
for the people.
poem by Melvin Banggollay
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The issue is whether the ultimate civil authority of the United States can tolerate actions in contempt of constitutional lines of authority. Any lessening of civil power over military power must inevitably lead away from democracy.
quote by Harold Russell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Absolute Zero
Can we begin at the end?
To Save Some time
Bags and our War Planes are Gathered
The Clock is ticking you have no authority
Float like a dead man down the river
And there are no streets in this air.....
Etcetera is my worst enemy
Its wrong and I know
And I will go
To the Big Hand of the God Damned
The Middle Ground is Absolute Zero
What Can be found at Absolute Zero?
Can We Begin at the end?
To Save some time
Etcetera is my worst enemy
Its wrong and I know
And I will go
To the big hand of the God Damned
The Big Hand of the Small Man
The Middle Gorund is Absolute Zero
What can be found at Absolute Zero?
A Happy End is Absolute Zero
Nobody Wins at absolute Zero......
What's That?
Nothing
What's That?
Nothing
Nothing
Nothing
song performed by by Faith No More
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Democracy a Farce
Medical science advances with giant strides
State out of sync with the pulse of times.
A law abiding couple’s plea to abort rejected
While female infanticide illegally rampant.
Political masters
Just wielding power.
Antiquated laws
Reveal the basic flaw-
Indian State
Decides its citizens’ fate.
Did we hear Constitution provides
Some Fundamental Rights?
Govt. for the people, by the people, of the people
Nay, simply without vision and principles
Citizen’s; look askance.
Democracy a farce.
BASED ON news that a Mumbai couple’s plea to High Court to abort the unborn child, whom the doctors have prenatally diagnosed as having a serious heart problem, has been rejected. Thus forcing the parents and child to a life of inexplicable misery.
poem by Mamta Agarwal
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The more expansive government is, the more perils people face in daily lives, be it from IRS agents or from child support services, or from other agencies that often have little or no legal restraints on their power.
quote by James Bovard
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Democracy is not so much a form of government as a set of principles.
quote by Woodrow Wilson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Democracy may mean something more than a theoretically absolute popular government, but it assuredly cannot mean anything less.
quote by Herbert Croly
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Democracy v Liberty
The fathers of democracy.
The ancient Greek philosophers
were dependent on slavery.
Which leaves me in a quandary.
How can it be democracy
to have such inequality?
I think democracy should be
a universal human right.
Though it is not quite obviously.
An ideal to aspire to.
Which one day might be possible.
The time has come now to review.
What we mean by democracy.
If everybody has their say.
It might well lead to anarchy.
When we elect a government.
The will of the majority
is what they’re meant to represent..
But it seems they rarely do.
This cannot be democracy.
the many are ruled by the few.
Who gain control quite legally
because their wealth allows them to
encouraged by our apathy.
The systems open to abuse
The people have the power to
insist on change; which we don’t use.
We vote or not just as we choose.
A facet of democracy.
I would be hesitant to lose.
It seems to me democracy
is something which we can’t achieve
and still retain our liberty.
There is no way that I can see
which will be fair to everyone.
I must admit despondently.
A partial democracy
is what we have and will retain
a curb upon our liberty.
You have no reason to complain
if you choose not to use your vote.
You have the freedom to abstain.
Sunday,16 May 2010
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poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Power To The People
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Say you want a revolution
We better get on right away
Well you get on your feet
And out on the street
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
A million workers working for nothing
You better give em what they really own
We got to put you down
When we come into town
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
I gotta ask you comrades and brothers
How do you treat you own woman back home
She got to be herself
So she can free herself
Singing power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Now, now, now, now
Oh well, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Yeah, power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people
Power to the people, right on
song performed by by Lennon John
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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