Geez, Mr. Dog, feeling down today? Someone slip you too much Prozac in your kibbles?

What do you suggest we try to do about this? It has the ring of inevitability.
Elmer Fudd | 02.24.08 - 8:10 pm | #

Maxx,
Athens fell because
A) it was a pure democracy that voted to kill intelligent debate (and dissenters)
B) it embarked on an ill-advised attempt to conquer Sicily
and
C) It believed it's maritime superiority to Sparta would insulate it from inevitable degradation and conquest

I recommend Victor D. Hanson's "A War Like No Other" to give you a better perspective. I think your comparison is not comprehensive.
Kermit | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 9:49 pm | #

My dads name was Mr.
I thought this an interesting piece that might generate some discussion.
It does seem to me that Professor Tyler's comments fit pretty well with what we see happening today in this country as the 2000 election stats show.
I don't believe it is inevitable but it is possible. Failure to learn from history dooms us to repeat it but I think more people are learning than ever before and more will if we can prevent things like the fairness doctrine and the suppression of the internet by the liberal movement. It is also possible, and I believe most likely that enough people will wake up to the danger that liberalism poses and defeat it, hopefully in a peaceful manner.
maxx | 02.24.08 - 10:03 pm | #

Maxx, that's why I am a historian (uncompensated). I will continue to fight the ignorance as long as I can draw breath.
Nothing is inevitable.
Kermit | Homepage | 02.24.08 - 11:11 pm | #

Thanks, Maxx, for putting some stats to the reality that most of us know. As more and more people become dependent on 'give'ernment for their well being (whether through the dole or a salary), the more the vote will become to make said gov't bigger and give more. Those of us in the productive part of society will be called on to provide more and more of our earnings to support the beast.

Unfortunately, I think we are past the apathy stage, and well on our way to dependence. Just look at the push to get socialized medicine, as embodied by Hillarama/Obary! as the front runners in the 'dependency'crat party.

People Want/Need someone to take care of them from the time they are born (as long as the abortionists don't get them) til the time they die. It is a worrying situation that so many have no drive to make more of themselves...

Is there a John Galt that will be able to bring this country back to some semblance of self-reliance? I don't see it...

Aw, hell. I guess I am just in a pissy mood this evening. I spent most of this beautiful weekend working, and didn't really get to enjoy the weather. Anybody out there to help me get my Optimism back?
sanders | 02.24.08 - 11:56 pm | #

Fun with numbers that mean nothing.

Seems to me that Bush beat Gore and had Republican majorities in the House & Senate. Did anything change for the better?
A Nony Moose | 02.25.08 - 7:22 am | #

A Nony; Sadly no. Nothing changed. I'm waiting for a pol that comes to me and says, "I'm gonna turn DC into a ghost town" Dept of ed you're gone, OSHA, EPA, NASA outta here! But noooo we got Homeland Security. Voted W twice, once with a clothespin, next time with a gas-mask, McCain? gimme a break!

Pass the ammo.
Nobody | 02.25.08 - 9:43 am | #

Another reminder of that fact that unfortunately we live in a functional democracy when were formed as a constitutional representative republic.
When I first saw not the state map but the red/blue county map my first thought was "How much federal/state welfare money goes into those counties?"
If we adhered to the constitution, especially Article 1 section 8 and the 10th Amendment (Amendment X kids) we would not find ourselves in this mess. No Social security/Medicare, no need for McCain/Feingold as there would be no influence buying/peddling. Congress and the president would tell people "No can do. I'm constrained by the Constitution." But, nope.
It's going to be a painful remedy to pull ourselves back. But, the alternative will be what europe is going through with riots when federal welfare checks bounce, the dollar falls and people are hungry because we make ethanol.
Hey, America- WAKE THE EFINHEIMER UP! There are NO secrets here. None! Your representatives all know what the real deal is. They hope to keep you dumb fed and drunk until they are no longer serving. The keep passing that live, unpinned grenade around hoping it explodes on someone else's watch.
AmendmentX | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 10:16 am | #

Er, boys, look at the disclaimer at the end of Prof. Olson's webpage greeting.
Bob from ALAMN | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 1:07 pm | #

Link here: http://www.hamline.edu/law/ profe...seph_olson.html
Bob from ALAMN | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 1:08 pm | #

Damn you, Bob. I just got a new kitten at the Humane Society and now it's curled up in a ball in the corner.

Anyone need half a bag of Kitten Chow?
Kermit | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 1:10 pm | #

Now you know why we have a dog instead.
Bob from ALAMN | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 1:23 pm | #

I guess it got discussed.
maxx | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 2:12 pm | #

Jeez Bob what a killjoy.

Maxx-
Oh well, better luck next time.
You may want to update the post.
Sequel | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 2:37 pm | #

Post updated
Thanks Bob, a visit to Snopes should've been made before posting
maxx | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 2:58 pm | #

Could you update the murder statistics, they are still significant.

The thesis that land owning Americans vote Republican and Renting Americans vote for Democrats is also generally correct.

MW Jay ran into 2 African American Females and discussed the campaing and they summarized their voting criteria quite succinctly "Show me the Money!"

Yep, they vote for the candidate that promises them the most free shit.
Tracy Eberly | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 3:15 pm | #

No prob, maxxdog. I just remembered that a local professor was complaining about info wrongly attributed to him and did a quick Google.

I'll say this, you are faster on corrections than the Strib.
Bob from ALAMN | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 3:31 pm | #

We don't hide them on the back page either.
Shit happens. When it's your shit you should clean it up yourself. I wish my dogs would.
maxx | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 4:06 pm | #

So, you're saying the GOP is the party of the rich? We already knew that. Square miles don't vote, people do.
some made up name | 02.25.08 - 5:47 pm | #

Sure smun, the GOP is the party of the rich just like the Donks are the party of the lazy. Whatever works in that tortured little vacuum chamber on your shoulders.
maxx | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 6:25 pm | #

There is a difference between the people that have an investment in America and those that do not.

I pay property taxes yet those that contribute nothing to our country have the same vote as I do.

Why should parasites be able to sway our elections to the candidate that promises the most free shit?
Tracy Eberly | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 6:29 pm | #

That's right Tracy! Only property owners should have the right to vote!
some made up name | 02.25.08 - 6:44 pm | #

That's what the founders thought!
Tracy Eberly | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 6:52 pm | #

People with a vested interest are more likely to learn about the issues and vote accordingly. If you don't work or have any ownership in anything you most likely won't give a shit and vote for the person promising to give you free shit.
maxx | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 8:04 pm | #

Yeah, Al Gore, Clintons, all of Hollywood, John Edwards, Kerry, etc., etc., sure are poor. Oh, don't forget Soros, he isn't rich. Oh wait, then there is Oprah...should I go on SMUN.
Larry | 02.25.08 - 8:17 pm | #

The richest Senators are Democrats!
Tracy Eberly | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 8:19 pm | #

Glad to have you all on record as being against one person one vote.
some made up name | 02.25.08 - 9:41 pm | #

smun, do you even read what people say or is your liberalitis so bad you can't help yourself?
maxx | Homepage | 02.25.08 - 10:52 pm | #