I always have to argue with people here who say that democracy is bad...

For the record, that's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying I get why people are getting fed up with the farce, and why it would lead to more radically anti-democratic sentiment. I get the appeal, but still personally prefer a representational system (for the most part, at least.)

I have a running semi-bet with dekachin, who believes the US is a democracy (and that democracy is a good thing): he thinks that new Ukraine aid will not pass unless Republicans get concessions, I think it will sail through.

Huh, that's a tough one, as it really could go either way. They could try for concessions, and they have before, but I think it will be mostly for show if they did. I think it might end up somewhere in between, but mostly toward the 'sailing through' outcome.

True democracy would be pretty great.

Depends on what that means. It would likely be better than what we have. But, even true democracy has some serious issues...although most of those are inherent in all systems. Namely, the big one is that, well, people are retarded. That's the inescapable issue. Unless it is to at least some extent curtailed, a representational system will largely represent a bunch of idiots, many who don't understand what they're asking for, and are operating primarily off emotion, while being manipulated by other idiots operating off malice or greed.

As far as I can see, government action and the popular will are even less aligned than in supposedly 'authoritarian' states.

Yup. Ironic to the extreme, and sad most people are blind enough to not even realize, and go along with it.

I always have to argue with people here who say that democracy is bad...

For the record, that's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying I get why people are getting fed up with the farce, and why it would lead to more radically anti-democratic sentiment. I get the appeal, but still personally prefer a representational system (for the most part, at least.)

I have a running semi-bet with dekachin, who believes the US is a democracy (and that democracy is a good thing): he thinks that new Ukraine aid will not pass unless Republicans get concessions, I think it will sail through.

Huh, that's a tough one, as it really could go either way. They could try for concessions, and they have before, but I think it will be mostly for show if they did. I think it might end up somewhere in between, but mostly toward the 'sailing throw' outcome.

True democracy would be pretty great.

Depends on what that means. It would likely be better than what we have. But, even true democracy has some serious issues...although most of those are inherent in all systems. Namely, the big one is that, well, people are retarded. That's the inescapable issue. Unless it is to at least some extent curtailed, a representational system will largely represent a bunch of idiots, many who don't understand what they're asking for, and are operating primarily off emotion, while being manipulated by other idiots operating off malice or greed.

As far as I can see, government action and the popular will are even less aligned than in supposedly 'authoritarian' states.

Yup. Ironic to the extreme, and sad most people are blind enough to not even realize, and go along with it.