Is it possible for Americans to get control of thier country back or are coporations just too strong?
140223
Would you prefer weak corporations that cannot sustain their customers, shareholders and employees? In the free market, or the close approximation in the United States, consumers vote with their dollars-- don't like a company, don't give them your money. \n\nIf your problem lies with how government is bought and paid for by "big business", perhaps you should recognize that companies go through the motions and write the checks only because such a demand for graft exists. Don't like that? Stop giving these corrupt politicos arbitrary authority to determine what's right and wrong in the marketplace.\n\nSimple solutions: Ban tariffs, abolish the Interstate Commerce Commission, and stop granting arbitrary power to money-hungry bosses to rule our marketplace. \n\nThe general sentiment is that business corrupts government, but reality is the reverse. You remove government regulations from the marketplace and you would discover a huge decline in payoffs and bribes. -Why would businesses waste their money if they didn't make it worth their while?\n\nOut of curiousity, I'd like to know what country you are comparing the US to... \n\nAnd "get control back...?" \n\nMy yahoo question to you is: "What the hell are you talking about?"
897329
The checks and balances of our governmental system will not allow them to do this unilaterally.  The can apply pressure and have more ability to control the debates on what will be done but they still do not have the 2/3 to 3/4 majority needed to do things by themselves, they will need Republican cooperation.
342760
I don't know what your talking about! The problem here in America, is that America is under a one sided party rule, and a Dictatorship with George Bush. There isn't anyone to oppose them right now; because the Democrats can't pass any legislation without it being pushed down. It's all a waist of time until America wakes up and brings back a Democracy to the American people. These people that are in charge of our Government are warmongers and terrorists like Adolf Hitler was. They are even following quite a few of Hitlers ideologies with rule of the Country.
398398
This country like any other has it's problems.  But America is like no other place in the world.  We have freedoms here that others can only dream about.  We have the will and strength to over come anything.  This country needs a strong moral center which it seems to be lacking on the west and east coasts.  There are the exceptions to that comment but most of the really liberal,(freedom w/o restrictions or consequences) crowd seem to live there.  I think we need to overhaul our social security system, our tax system and our education system.  If we take care of these basics then i believe we will be back at the top of the world in no time @ all.
657784
Absolutely.  Being Americans we have to make our own way through the sissies
691023
What a great question!!\n\nOn the one hand, I think Americans have grown pretty cynical about the possibilities of change.  The system that has developed here is very adept at either co-opting real discontent or ignoring it -- take for example the huge protests before the invasion of Iraq.  Our government here doesn't try to repress or crush the opposition, it simply pretends that it's not there.  (Though some of us are beginning to wonder just how long that approach is going to last!)\n\nOn the other hand, most Americans are also aware, maybe only subconsciously, that they've got things pretty cushy, and rocking the boat could endanger their comfort.  I mean, hey, you got your ample supply of alcohol, your 500 channels of video-on-demand, and your vibrating armchair -- why would you want to revolt?
748489
No. Not until they manage to force a US surrender.
875057
There would be utter chaos. Their government is not strong enough to support itself and there would be groups trying to overthrow it. It would just lead to more violence than there is now. This is just a big mess that the United States has gotten itself into. There is nothing more we can do there but if we pull out it would probably be worse than it was before we went in. There's just no answer for how to solve this problem.
228417
If ever the US would fall, it would be by NO means of other country... I mean, take for example they had a war with other country, but they won't lose. No other country can bring them down... it will only be among them and it depends on them whatever they want to happen. I guess, the second sentence states that would it still be possible that the US will fall or is it alrady breaking down?! The new generation in that country is being quite a bit-off-course and people are too much liberated.
269131
Eventually?  I believe this has already occurred.  Those who think Americans live in a democracy are sorely mistaken.  There are two main forces that currently control America: The conservative corporations and the liberal media.  (Neither of those statements are intended to be a negative judgment on either group).  Those two groups are the ones with the money, and the power.\n\nI'm not sour about that.  But I do think that anyone who thinks that every person has a say is fooling themselves.  Both of these groups, over time, have gotten very good at positioning their message so that the majority of people will vote for their candidate.
974948
I think that time is at least 30 years off.  I think we are in danger though because they hold so much of our debt.  They have some important controls over us, that they don't yet dare use. \n\nIn our country freedom came before a strong economy.  My hope is that in order for them to become powerful, they will need to embrace freedom.  \n\nWe do need to keep an eye on them though.
1123470
No.  we can't just pull out of Iraq before its own government is stable.  Then it would be another Vietnam.  If we just pick up and leave, the country will turn into a police state, much like Somalia did during the Clinton administration.
329523
Absolutely not. If America was a fascist state, do you think you'd have the freedom to even ask such questions? While it is true that the president and many leaders are extremely right-wing, they are NOT dictators. The US doesn't even actually have a 'ruler.' The president does not have sole power. America is a country of supposed checks and balances. Whether or not you agree with the current path that our country is on, we still have many more freedoms and opportunities than any other country. You still have the right to speak your mind and vote.
976359
The only way for the country to go from where we are now is up.  The Republicans have proven that they are out of touch with the American public and can not effectively run the country.  So now maybe America will have a fighting chance to improve.
851320
I think as Americans all we truly want is to be treated fairly, and for the entire world to experience the peace and freedom we take for granted every day. We need a new strong leader that has the ability to convey this message to the world. We as a populace need to realize how the rest of the world views us. We can shrug it off and say we don't care what the rest of the world thinks.... but we really do. We need a new direction. To restore our "soft power", we need to be very careful about who we elect in '08.
918868
Some of you may think this is a silly question, but it's really not. There is a trend, especially in Europe, for returning more power to states/provinces. Scotland now has its own government that decides most if not all of their domestic affairs. Catalonia in Spain wants independence. A few years ago Quebec came very close to leaving Canada. The fact of the matter is, culturally, the southern part of the U.S. is just really different then the northeast and western parts of the United States. Take a look of a map showing where the "red" states are and the "blue" states. See a trend? Just think about it; wouldn't a lot of you blue state folks be happier joining Canada in some great big socialist experiment?
581310
Its not likely.\n\nIndeed, its unlikely that any nation will eclipse the United States any time soon.