A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until a majority of voters discover that they can vote themselves largess out of the public treasury.
quote by Alexander Tyler
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over lousy fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world
Alexander Fraser Tyler in Cycle of Democracy, 1770
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Two Hundred Years And Falling
'A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves excessive gratuities from the public treasury.
From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the treasury, with the result that a democracy collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.'
(Professor Alexander Tyler
The Fall of the Athenian Republic)
The world's greatest civilizations
On average lasted two hundred years.
The Assyrians, Greeks and Babylonians,
Destroyed and fallen, have disappeared.
And even that great Roman Empire,
That mighty conqueror of the West
Fell from its grandeur, state so dire-
Only its ruin can to its name attest.
Consider this then, the time of the States
It is now more than two hundred years
The signs of falling no one negates,
History repeated, that is what we fear.
From bondage to faith of Puritans,
From faith to courage of the pilgrims,
To strength, liberty and abundance,
To leisure, to apathy, and weakness grim.
The final stage is dependency,
That is where the nation is right now.
Repeating the cycle from history,
Tall Uncle Sam is now ready to bow.
The rising again is an urgency
There is need to rebuild the foundations
Strong faith in God and integrity,
Discipline, work, and determination.
Sown in the hearts, nurtured in homes,
For these building blocks are eternal
Inward change and determined reform,
Firm and honest spiritual revival.
.............................................. .............................................
Written March 29,2009
Philippines
poem by Cynthia Buhain-Baello
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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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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
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Limited Choice
All politicians preen and pose.
They promise forthright honesty.
We aren’t the fools that they suppose
because we very clearly see.
That all the promises they make.
Examined closely make no sense,
they all repeat the same mistake.
Assume the public has no sense.
Your vote is all they want from you
For that they lie with practised ease.
And once elected they will do
very little which will please.
The general public as a whole.
For once aboard the gravy train
They have achieved their only goal
and treat the voters with disdain.
So think before you cast your vote
scrutinise them carefully.
Don’t be afraid to rock the boat
and rouse yourselves from apathy.
The voting system is unfair
and does not represent the views
of every voter everywhere.
We are denied the right to choose.
The form of government we need.
That’s why the country’s in a mess.
Enslaved by some out dated creed
which renders many votes worthless.
The systems rotten to the core
relies on public apathy.
We get what we deserve no more.
It’s sad but true apparently.
It needs a drastic overhaul
there is no sign that it will get.
Your vote is worth nothing at all
That is the only certain bet.
10-May-08
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poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
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I do not exist
I do not exist,
I do not breath,
I do not bleed
I do not hurt
I do not exist in your eyes,
not anymore,
I am far, far away, like
the stars that don't exist,
but still they shine and
you can see them far away,
but there not alive, there not
really there. Yes I am not there,
not for you, I do
not want your pity.
I do not want my broken smile
painted in your thoughts.
I do not exist, I am not there,
do not look for me, I do not
exist, I am not there, I am not there
poem by Elenushka Toledo
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Government can easily exist without laws, but law cannot exist without government.
quote by Bertrand Russell
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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If You Don't Exist
then who will exist
for you?
who will record
who you are and what you
have done?
nobody.
nobody.
nobody
but you.
because just like you they also
think that they don't exist
come to think of it
if all of us do not exist at all
then who exists?
nothing
nothing
nothing
it is simply absurd when the world
moves and no one is
existing
i don't exist too.
because i have learned
to live.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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The Ant
A sixty feet long ant
With a hat on its head,
That doesn’t exist, that doesn’t exist.
An ant pulling a cart
Full of penguins and ducks
That doesn’t exist, that doesn’t exist.
An ant speaking French,
Speaking Latin and Javanese,
That doesn’t exist, that doesn’t exist.
Hey! Why not?
poem by Robert Desnos from Storysongs (Chantefables) (1945), translated by Dan CostinaÅŸ
Submitted by Dan CostinaÅŸ
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There are tons of people who are late to trends by nature and adopt a trend after it's no longer in fashion. They exist in mutual funds. They exist in clothes. They exist in cars. They exist in lifestyles.
quote by Jim Cramer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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When Negative People Have Power
When negative people have power they seek to conquer and divide
They refer to the flag of the Nation as a symbol of courage and pride
A big speech at the war memorial where respect by them to the war dead is paid
By their false show of patriotism their foundation to power has been laid
We are ruled by negative people so cunning in their own narrow way
With the fears of the vast majority of the voters they do certainly know how to play
They vow for to kill every terrorist and the praises of war heroes they sing
They do seem such power hungry people and to power they do desperately cling
Of the words of the aspiring political leaders the voters do seem to take note
For the one who does not play to their fears the majority never would vote
The one who is not patriotic in parliament will not hold a seat
The innovative thinkers in politics at the polling booths facing defeat
We vote for the people most like us for those who can play to our fear
And suppose that does seem only natural since they tell us what we want to hear.
poem by Francis Duggan
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Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.
quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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It is a primitive form of thought that things exist or do not exist.
quote by Arthur Eddington
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You exist now only in my heart
You exist now only in my heart...
You exist now only in my heart,
An ode to my internal defeat
A fading memory from an eternal realm,
A time gone by and incomplete.
You exist now only in my heart,
A message which truly proclaims
Your very essence and nature changed,
speaking softly your innumerable true names.
You exist now only in my heart,
As the wind carries my thoughts of you
Toward the angels standing in the clouds,
Innocently fairing me to bid you adieu.
You exist now only in my heart,
In the nature of who you've been,
But now, you are more than I'll ever know,
as I walk along this grassy knoll, ever so green.
You exist now only in my heart...
poem by Chad Fisher
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It is not safe in the republican form of government that clannishness should exist either by compulsory or voluntary reason. It is not good for the government and it is not good for the individual.
quote by Timothy Thomas Fortune
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Turkeys Voting For Christmas
party electrical pledges
promises never meant
to be kept
elected politicians
government by the people
for the people?
which people?
products of democracy?
voters vote for party
promising lowest taxes
greater citizen benefits
ignoring previous
broken promises
lies lies lies manifest
democracy is turkeys
voting for Christmas
or Thanksgiving hoping
not to be served
up on a meal plate
governments give
governments take
when governments take
they take
more than they ever gave
poem by Terence George Craddock
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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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I Be Wetin I Be!
THERE WAS NOT A WAR WHERE SOLDIERS DID NOT EXIST,
THERE WAS NOT A DEVIL, WHERE A GOD DID NOT EXIST,
THERE WAS NOT A FIRE THAT DID NOT BEGET SMOKE,
THERE WAS NOT A SKY WHERE A CLOUD EXISTED NOT,
THEN WHY SHOULD THERE BE I, WHEN I DID NOT EXIST?
I HAVE CEASED TO BE BEFORE BEING,
I HAVE CEASED TO EXIST BEFORE I EVEN EXISTED,
THEN, OF WHAT NEED IS THE PESTILENC?
IF THERE NEVER WAS ANY TO BE PESTERED,
FOR I AM NOT TO BE,
THEN LET ME CEASE TO BE,
THAT MY PEACE MAY BE,
THUS AND THEN, MAY I HAVE BEEN!
poem by Overlord Don Manuel Ihcakeyno
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The government has become a mechanism for distributing largess, and your census form is your ticket.
quote by Tom G. Palmer
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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How Much More
How much more
Can a love be loved,
When that love that is given...
Is like none other?
How much time
Should one wait to find,
A love to discover...
That one is not restricted with
To exist within limits someone inflicts.
Unconditional is that love that lifts,
From minds not pre-occupied with it!
Or fantasized to pleasure and tease.
As something on a list,
Required as a prerequisite!
How much more
Can a love be loved,
When that love that is given...
Is like none other?
How much time
Should one wait to find,
A love to discover...
That one is not restricted with
To exist within limits someone inflicts.
Expectations and preferences,
Finds one living life with regrets and disappointments.
Dismissing one's looks,
As a book unread...
Yet accepting a physicality,
Without chemistry...
Delivers a reality!
How much more
Can a love be loved,
When that love that is given...
Is like none other?
How much time
Should one wait to find,
A love to discover...
That one is not restricted with
To exist within limits someone inflicts.
Or deal with a second hand romance...
Taking a chance,
That whatever isn't there...
May with time be forced to fit!
How much more,
Can one put up with this?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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