A repetition in history. While "leaders" can choose how they want to live, mostly in the high life and can raise their own pay at their choosing,  others, mainly everyone else, has to work almost everyday to live a decent life.  Since the cost of living increases everyday, how is the average person, who does work to have a life, supposed to make it in the world today, while the "leaders" can eaisly make their lives easier.  i dont see democracy.
216409
One of the greatest ludicracices ever commited, was allowing congress to set their own pay scale.  Not even the President can do that.  It really makes you see the dark side of politics when these guys get more money to bicker all day long, while the rest of us work to produce something that people need or want.
106517
Wel thats democracy for u...the system works in such a way..but u have a point..one person cant do much..its always collective force that needs to act..remember united we stand..
405053
our society values money too much.\nwe care more about $20 then an hour of good care for our children.\nperson A is a better person, but he needs to care about himself as well as others.
35231
too many people want to be in charge, old saying "too many cheifs not enough indians" democracy is a system for the people and by the people. if the common person does not stand up for it it will falter.
614660
LOL!!  That's a great point, I hadn't read those statistics.  I guess it's 'cause the Lib's have made a smoke and mirror's campaign suggesting that they fight for the "working man", and since the vast majority of the population makes less then 70K per year, that's who the Dem's try to appeal to.  It makes them look good I suppose to bash people like me, who put themselves through school, worked hard, and now has a job well above the national average.  It's a snow job.  I've always thought that the major distinction between Dem's and Repubs is that Repubs believe it's the governments job to create and sustain a country where you can achieve happiness, while the Dem's of today believe its the governments job to try and provide it.  If you work towards achieving your own happiness, I think you often fall into a higher tax bracket because of your ambition and work ethic.  Good question, thanks!
487876
The larger the number of people that can be overpowered by what the leaders dictate, the more power they usurp from their followers. That's just politics. They say only what they think we want to hear, right before elections, but afterwards they continue to ignore the masses, and the issues. \nThe more people they can hold under the poverty level, the more of those held at that level feel powerless, the more power they can gain for themselves, and it becomes a monster. \nNot everyone can win in this game. The less people who believe in the American Dream, the less people there are to oppose them. When people lose hope of realizing their dream, the less likely they are to fight back and make a stand. \nSo eventually, most of those who lose out time after time feel they are owed something, and sometimes the only way to win anything is to take advantage of the system. So the gap between the rich and poor grows.
146079
because the average person has been helped more by this president then previous. more money being spent on entitlements, more jobs, record number of people owning there homes, more money in there pockets from tax cuts, most money giving on aids research , more people starting there own business. ahh a presidents that helps his fellow citizens. been bad things 911, the war, gas prices. but every good presidents tries to overcome these things not pass it on to some one else. that is called leadership.
340719
yes, but it's not really punishment, it's more guilt. why? because they feel guilty about their own wealth and the fact that there are people in this country that don't have it (wealth). and don't have the opportunity to have it. are they willing to make changes in society that will change the dynamic? no. because they need the impoverished vote. what baffles me is that these people, these poor people who have nothing who keep voting in these democrats who do nothing to improve the situation of their voters have not learned yet that they are being tricked.
73913
The problem with Democracy is that we have a country based on equality AND freedom.  Alexis DeToqueville wrote that it is impossible for us to be totally equal and totally free because the wills of men will always cross other's boundries.  If you are posing a question of whether or not it is more important to be "humane" than "democratic", then I believe that you might have something.  Ofcourse, democrats will undeniably stand up and say that democracy IS humane, but I guess that's all in the eye of the beholder.  Fascism shows itself on many different levels, from the workplace, to households, to governmental issues, but the one thing I can say about democracy is that it at least tries for a middleground on freedom and equality.  A goverment by the people, for the people, but it does seem that the people's voice is getting a bit weaker than it used to be.
115901
Enlisted men and women are trained to work, officers are trained to lead. That way everyone can perfom their task more efficiently. We need leaders, espcecially in times of life and death. The most effective militaries have had great leaders, both good and evil. The reason they are paid more, is that they have incredible amounts of responsibility. Imagine being in charge of a group of people who are performing a mission that affects the entire country. That deserves compensation and recognition.
469889
Different people have different ambitions and they are not always in sync with that of organization, hence all these problems. Basically people are plain stupid, simple.
184641
Life is mean to people that don't have also, or in other terms "poor people", because people don't understand things they don't know. People are all for themselves these days. They are all about bettering themselves, and their family. They don't care about anyone else, and you are a "poor person", then you can't do anything for them so they don't care about you, therefore run over you. Since America is based on money, and money only these days. If you have a lot of money you can do a lot of things. Why...... because America is based on money, which is a good thing for the people who have the money, but It's LIFE for the people who don't
232063
Perhaps it's in the choices you make that decide the treatment you get? It's so easy to point and blame. But do we all not choose who we connect and associate with? Don't we pick the jobs we apply for? Continue working for the bosses who have? The freedom to choose what we want is, perhaps, one of the last remaining rights we have left. And with it go the responsibilities of poor judgment and choice. I could generalize as you did but that wouldn't be realistic or honest.
146971
I've heard both sides of this story from many facets. The truth is that only leaders and rulers start wars, not the people who work and raise their families. There is something wrong with this "world view" isn't there?
381921
Because they want everything paid for..they believe the government is like Mommy and Daddy; that the government should take care of everything.  This idea presents problems, however, since where the money is spent becomes subjective.  If everyone is created equal, then how can one decide who is more 'needy'?  The democrats favor the poor.  The rich already have money so they should share it with those who arent as 'lucky'.  People abuse this idea.  I have seen people sit at home collecting a govt check who have no intention of getting work.  Another problem with this approach is that when you allow the government to pay for everything, you allow the government to have a 'say' in things.  I digress.  Taxes pay for this democratic idea. Basically, Republicans believe you need to work; smaller government.  (If you worked hard and earned a good income, you shouldn't be penalized.) I can go on but I'm sure I will digress again.
141137
Money isn't always better.  You can become a slave to it, or you can become a corporate hooker.  I think making more than you spend is everyone's goal though.
263190
People who live off "the system."  Able bodied people should have to work for living just like anybody else.  I, as a tax payer, am sick of supporting people who need to get off their dead a** and get a job!