...that we live in a democracy.

The correct term for our system of government is "plutocracy".

plutocracy

NOUN: Inflected forms: pl. plu·toc·ra·cies

1. Government by the wealthy. 2. A wealthy class that controls a government. 3. A government or state in which the wealthy rule.

What we now have is only the illusion of a democracy, with our right to vote effectively limited to two supposedly opposing political parties, both of whom are bought and paid for by the same people. Any "debating" is done on mass media networks owned by the plutocracy itself, with "analysis" done by paid shills. We then are allowed to vote for "A" or "B", but only on unauditable black-box machines whose codes are owned by private companies.

"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free."

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

re: "...the personality type that continues to drive [war mongering] today..."

These monumental cowards are merely the mouthpieces for the military-industrial complex that, in case you didn't notice, own the politicians of both parties, the mass media and the "serious" think-tanks and assorted "experts" that advise on foreign policy matters. And, unfortunately, Americans routinely eat this stuff up - witness the election of the macho-talking (but AWOL) Bush and his "butt-kicking" sidekick, Mr. Five Draft Deferments.

"Americans are insensitive to philosophical ideas. They need something tangible, something concrete, something that has been acted on the stage. Acted, that is, seen and felt. What is said is not important. We are not impressed by explanations, and verbal play leaves us indifferent. What we want is action."

-Arthur Miller

The root of our problem lies not in these puny turds masquerading as men; it lies in our cult-like belief in the absolute rightness of America's "Manifest Destiny". This allows Americans to believe that our policies toward the rest of the (unenlightened) world are effectively the will of God and thus the use of our military might is always justified in their pursuit. This belief that God is always on our side is, of course, no different than what your basic jihadist believes.

There is the further belief by the inbred ruling elite that, of course, others should shoulder the direct burden of their war-mongering policies -- indeed, they perceive themselves to be not only above the law, but the law itself. "Rex Lex". Thus, "law-and-order" Bush had no internal conflict whatsoever when he pardoned Libby. Hey, laws are for other people, certainly not the ruling elite.

Don't look to the Democrats for any rectifying of the situation, either. Pelosi declared as "off the table" any thoughts of impeaching a President who is clearly guilty, among other things, of waging an unprovoked war of agression, in blatant violation of post-WWII international law. And when the subject of illegal wiretapping came up, the Democrats simply went along and made it all nice and legal.

No, Kagan, Kristol, et al, while disgusting examples of men, are only mouthing what their elitist brainwashed minds have been filled with from birth. It is an unfortunate fact that to rise above this mentality requires not only a measure of intelligence but actual character, a commodity that, in the halls of power and the echo chamber of the corporate-contolled mass media, has always been in very short supply.

Come and listen to my story

'bout a Mormon gal I knew

She had some sacred underwear

(I worshipped them -- it's true!)

This babe was so delicious

I would think, "Oh, how I want her!"

If I had had a fork and spoon

I would've made like Donner

Party, that is...

;)

And always remember, folks:

LDS is just LSD spelled sideways.