I really like some of the concepts in the movie V for Vendetta, not the personal revenge stuff and killing but someone trying to change the gov. to make it better. I think some of us (me) have become complacent and the gov. is taking advantage of that and messing our country up. There are a lot of corrupt people out there and they are running the show. What can we do? Website, book suggestions? Idea's? I dont want to blow anything up, btw.
121814
What you need to do, is educate yourself. Once youve dont that to a satisfactory level, vote, protest, speak your views.  Keep going, it seems to me like youre just about to delve into the world of political knowledge, keep going.  Youre right, governments have always fed off the ignorant and apathetic, and those who werent usually didnt have the voice, bravery, or backing to do anything about.  The greatest friend of an opressor is the bear that doesnt see the trap.  Bottom line, people need to grow out and strive to make a difference themselvs, including you, the pen is mightier than the sword.  Now if you want to learn it depends on what in government, however before anything.  WWW.wikipedia.org, is the portal to infinite nonbiased information on EVERYTING. I have a book I'm reading now by John Lewis Gaddis, The Cold War, great book, if youre interested in that, and the true happenings of, look into it. Also Encyclopedia Idiotica: The 50 Greatest Blunders of Man and the People Who Made Them. Great book for general historical and economical knowledge, and its not really an ecyclopedia, so dont let that put ya down.  And that all i got to say.
278545
FIRST OF ALL:  a_team_rerun, your answer was beyond condescending.  I haven't noticed that this board is a spelling contest.  Occasionally people inadvertently use a wrong word or an incorrect spelling.  Glad we have you to police things.\n\nIN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION:  It would be wonderful if we could do such a thing.  There have been a lot of suggestions on this board recently about how our election system could be changed; however, a lot of people always seem to point out that there are too many reason why those ideas wouldn't work either.\n\nWe have three main strikes against us, as citizens, right now:\n\nOne, the entire Nation is infected with apathy (they don't seem to care; they think someone else will 'take care of it');\n\nTwo, we, as a Nation, seem to think like 'a_team_rerun' in that we have been doing something too long to change it.  Thank goodness our founding fathers didn't have those same ideas.  Without change, we are rapidly becoming a stagnant pond and the stench of rot is becoming wide spread.  Why does everyone pretend it doesn't stink?\n\nThree, until the American people have had it up to their eyebrows with the corruption that is going on and everyone stands up on their feet at the same time and starts yelling 'WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE" ... until we have massive demonstrations on the White House lawn ... until we get pro-active and stop being inactive, nothing at all is going to change.\n\nYour idea is not bad, but my humble opinion is that a very charismatic man would have to be found to run for office; one who can sell ice on the North pole, so to speak; one who can easily make himself understood to all people using common, ordinary, everyday words that everyone can understand.  A man who can get the majority of America to support his campaign financially.  The list is endless.\n\nDo i think someone like this exists?   Yes, i do!  The problem is, where do we find him and how do we promote him?
247609
I see more similarities between The Ministry of Truth and the US government.\n\nIt can be summed up in the word's of one of 1984's characters, O'Brien, when he said:\n\n"If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face--forever."\n\nBut even in the middle of this totalitarian "utopia," there is one man--Winston Smith--who dares to question authority, and who seeks a life and love for himself.\n\nBut in the end, Winston is simply a pawn in a vast conspiracy. A conspiracy which cheats him of his love, Julia, and ultimately of his own sanity--when he is incarcerated in the Ministry of Love, and subjected to the horrors of Room 101.\n\nHowever, even as Winston Smith lives out his days in diminished manhood, he clings on to one idea--that if there is any hope at all, it lies with the proletariat ("proles").\n\nNow, the "proles" were the ordinary people--the masses. These people were cannon fodder--and largely ignored by the powers that be. Smith's hope was that one day the proles would "wake up"--and in so doing, would--by force of numbers--sweep away the vast illusion of totalitarian state power.\n\nAnd this is the all-important point. It is an ILLUSION. State power is only effective as long as those subject to it "believe" in it. The state has no power except what we grant it. Its power is derived from our willingness to give up our own power. Thus, the state's primary role is to instill in its subjects the idea that it is absolutely necessary, and that without it, life would be miserable and chaotic (like present-day Iraq, perhaps).\n\nState education, manipulation and control of the media, spin, censorship, fear-mongering, doomsday scenarios, mass hysteria, religious symbolism and "grand visions," are all tools of the state--in its constant quest to maintain control over people. And if that doesn't work, well there's always tear gas, guns and tanks!\n\nJust take one example--taxation. Taxation is money taken from you by force. Yes, force. If you do not pay your taxes and continue to ignore threats to do so, then you will be charged and likely incarcerated.\n\nIf you, as an individual, try to stand up to the state and refuse to pay your taxes, then they ship you off to jail. You, by yourself, cannot hope to oppose the state on its own terms. You must set your OWN terms.\n\nHowever, if everyone simply said "no" in unison, there is absolutely nothing the state could do about it. It could not fine everybody (as they would refuse to pay that also). It could not imprison everybody. It certainly could not execute everybody. No, the state would be exposed for what it is--a charade. The big, fat emperor with no clothes.\n\nIn George Orwell's 1984, the road ended in Room 101. But in the real world--the world as it is--you have the opportunity to . You CAN defeat Big Brother in so many different ways. It's just a matter of "waking up" and seeing where the power really resides--with the people.
429493
Still waiting for intelligent answers? I hope people are just busy typing, after the first two I saw.\nI have to say, I agree with you- we need the checks and balances back in our government. Stagnation was going on, and I think a few of us were about ready to take to the streets in rebellion. It's kind of a shame the way you have to MAKE people act right. I think we will see more cooperation, less arrogance now that they have gotten the wake up call of the elections. I am hopeful.
171941
Are going???????  ...Don't you really mean to say: Have already gone?    ...Indeed, we are looking at a very sad and dangerous heading for our hard-fought democracy.   Poor founding fathers have been shaking in their bones for some time now, I'm afraid.   I truly wonder: Have we really taken good enough care of the wonderful and immeasurable heritage they had left us?   It is much harder to recover our lost liberties than to lose them.   ...The worst crimes in this world have always been committed and justified in the name of the best and the holiest of intentions.
563671
Think of the millions we could have saved from the scourge of Communism if we had shown more resolve, rather than listen to the liberals "moral equivalency" babble.\n\nImagine the untold numbers of Africans who died because it was politically incorrect to take the stern measures necessary to keep them from committing genocide against one another.\n\nHere is something I will never understand:  the Tom Cruise character in "A Few Good Men" is supposed to be the shining hero, but he is exposed as a lightweight, hypocritical fraud by Colonel Jessep, who, despite his dark side, makes the most compelling defense of the military ever recorded on film.\n\n"Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.\n\nYou weep for Santiago, and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall.\n\nWe use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to."\n\nHeck, after that speech, I think a lot of people wanted to slap the smug, self-righteous Tom Cruise character across his smirking mouth, and nominate Col. Jessep for Secretary of State.
223254
I haven't seen it and don't really know if I have an interest in it.\n\nI think it is basically a telling of the "popular" version of what happened and I have seen Loose Change.\n\nWhen you start asking questions about "what is the most currenty information we have about the attack?", you really have to define who WE are. I think not everyone who really knows what happened is dead.\n\nIt's good to ask questions, even if it's dangerous. History takes a long time to let the truth slip.
328620
I loved far. 9-11 its really opened up my eyes. So what if its one sided. Its a side we needed to hear and see. Alot of people are blinded by the ways of the government. Mr. Moore wanted to show the movie before the elections but wasn't able to. It think it would have changed alot of peoples minds on who they were going to elect. It sure helped me pick who i KNEW would protect our country, our families, our troops. The end of the movie is what really got me. When Mr. Moore asked some gov. officials to sign a petition to allow THEIR children to be sent off to war. They pretty much said NO. They didn't want to risk their child's life. But any other American family is encouraged to send their children out to war. As for pickin president. It was a popularity contest between demos and repubs. Who can manipulate the people into voting for them. I don't vote for a person by their elephant or donkey pins but by how they are going to represent us as a country and protect us. In my eyes, bush has failed us, more ways than just one or two.\n\nbtw. A lot of people criticize Moore for his work, because they don't agree with some truths. Bowling for Columbine was a great film as well. They will call him a liar. But i do find lots of truths in his films.
66652
Try to find something about corruption in politics, I think you`ll find some interesting news. :)) OR Government structure and agreement beetwen political parties - they`ve got troubles with understand eachother. Anyway, Could you specify what kind of revolution are you looking for? The biggest and known recent scandal is "Rywin Gate".
426664
Thank you for sharing your epiphany with modern day politics.  I once had the highest regard for our political powers based on what I learned from the history of our founding fathers as we all have learned and I have come to the same conclusion.  The reality of the matter is that politics is everything whether we like it or not. The stroke of a pen from a leader represents a decision for the masses even if the paperwork does not represent our thoughts and beliefs to the fullest extent. That is why we must stay on top of the game and elect our leaders as skillfully as possible.  Knowing your political roots and being able to distinguish between the issues is a self taught philosophy that your social standing forces you to entertain.  Be patient.  Be informed.  Inform others.  We shall overcome!!
326712
Christians are concerned about the movie because it doesn't present them in an entirely positive light. I agree with you when you say that they should get over it. Pick any random movie at the theatre and it'll have a bad guy - maybe he'll be a sabretooth tiger or an Iraqi terrorist, but it'll be taking SOMEONE down. But because The Da Vinci Code chooses Christians, it's suddenly an awful slander on the Church. I think they're taking a slightly daft book far too seriously. If they really want us to ignore The Da Vinci Code, they should too! Kicking up a fuss is just making us more interested in just what it is the film says about them.
627514
That's the greatest thing I've seen all day! Thank you. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a short term clause, but it's good to see somebody trying to work within the system. It' won't work in the long run, but bringing public awareness around is a good step (if a small one) towards political change. Plus, it's pirates! How cool is that?! Avast! Arrgghh!
608021
It is not so much a case of the government we deserve as it is a case of getting the government we are too lazy to stop(in most cases) World wide governmental corruption, the western " Cult of Personality" and indolence all lead to this. With the way that any one running for office in the west is scrutinized, you must ask yourself what kind of person puts themselves and their families through it. The answer of course is egomanaical numbskulls that toe what ever party line they are told to toe. These are just talking heads anyway. Outside of the west it seems, largely, that it is the rule of the gun. Most of the current African leadership are little more that corrupt tribal chiefs and thugs interested only in their own enrichment. Sound cynical? Maybe, but take a really good look around.
465539
I forget, can the 'visualize' part of Monroe's Motivated Sequence be used to depict something you think we should -avoid-?  In that case I'd suggest a speech/paper about the eroding privacy and citizens' rights in the US wherein the "visualize" stage describes a 1984-esque scenario that could occur if we don't take action now ... er, or if that's not something you agree with/believe in I suppose you could always do one of the generic topics like urging folks to recycle, buy hybrid cars, cut back on fast food consumption, exercise more, etc ... or heck, MMS is often used as a "selling" strategy, isn't it?  If you're into stuff like this perhaps you could use it to urge folks to go out and buy, I dunno, a Nintendo Wii or a PS3 when they come out ... ?
302258
Wasn't it "Gordon Gecko",(From the movie "Wallstreet") , who said.\n\n"Greed is good. Greed works." "Work the system; just don't get caught."\n\n\n\nThat is what many of our "business-men" and "politicians" were "raised" on; the "glory days" of Reagan ,"Gordon Gecko's" motto and "Trickle-Down Economics".This is the legacy we have made. How proud we should be! \n\n Morals are a joke. Morals are what you talk about at BBQ's & cocktail party's, while you secretly ,(or openly), steal money & office supplies from your company. \n\nHere is another good Example:Here is the name of a movie that came out last year:"Get Rich or Die Try'n" \n\nDoesn't this movie title "Sum Up" the attitude of American's today?!!?\n\nAnd for every "Ken Lay", there is 50 other people doing the same thing, and NEVER get caught.\n\nOops! It's time I slip off my "soap-box", I got a "tee-time" at 3:00 at the country club.............\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n(see what I mean)\n\n\n\n\n\n(lol)
457116
Unfortunately, you completely misunderstand the problem.  Why is there corruption in all governments?  Because those in the governments have power!  The less power a government has, the less it will attract those who are power hungry.  Conversely, the more power a government has, the more it will attract those who are power hungry, and it is the most power hungry that are the most corrupt.  That is why the founding fathers, wisely, limited the power of our federal government severely.  Unfortunately, people have been more and more willing to give the government a bigger and bigger budget and more and more power, which attracts the very people we least need in such a position.  People continue, though I can't imagine why, to think that it is only a matter of "cleaning it up" to get a better situation.  The truth is that if the government was limited again to what it was supposed to be in 1790, there would be little motivation for the power hungry to take it over.  And, even if they did, it wouldn't matter anyway because of the severely limited power!  Talk about a win-win situation.   I think we are in for more of the same, unless the people finally say 'enough is enough,' and take away the unconstitutional powers of the government and the enormous budget they have.  Unfortunately people look at government as a benevolent big brother instead of the necessary evil our wise founders did.  Too bad, things will only get worse.
184585
Here is the problem... "HOW".\n\nDo you honestly think that big corporate interests would allow the possibility that our government would be changed?  \n\nOur current system of government exists for the benefit of big business.  Corporate welfare runs this country.  Any attempt to change this government runs the risk that:\n\n1.  the new government could be potentially unstable.  Not good for investment.  Our economy would have severe problems.\n\n2.  how would we decide on a new form of government?  We would never be able to agree on anything as a population\n\n3.  So "who" would decide if we can't?  Big Business!  They would step in and we would create a government even more corrupt than before!\n\n4.  Reality:  The average American prefers safety and security.  I doubt that they would be interested in eliminating the current government.  I imagine that most would actively fight to keep the old one.  Look at the rampant scandals currently going on... and a significant portion of the population still supports their actions!\n\n5.  The media.  If you actually managed to start a grass-roots effort to oust the government and form a new one... how will you communicate your messages nationwide?  When Ross Perot ran for President, he HAD TO SUE to get his commercials on the air!!!  Do you honestly think that the media corporations would allow such a movement to gain significant steam?\n\nI applaud your enthusiasm... I recommend voting your conscience (i.e. vote for a third party) in future elections and spread your message to friends and neighbors.  However, I think that corporations have replaced human beings as the dominant life-form on this planet.