America: A Nation of Dissidents

I have concluded my re-reading of the U.S. Constitution with the following thoughts:

The founders of American Democracy shared the same zeal for defeating every single aspiring dictator with a deliberate system of check-and-balance.

To prevent the disease of dictatorship from rearing its head, we'd better be  healthy and strong skeptics, collectively and individually. We're born or reborn to dissent.

We are NOT united behind our political leaders. Instead, we are united behind our time-honored belief that politicians tend to corrupt if given too much power. No wonder our Constitution makes life so difficult for politicians by making life so easy for dissidents.

Our dissident-friendly system works. No? Then tell me why all those dictators, who allow no dissent, try so hard to stop their people from coming here.


Author: renqiulan

 

 

所有跟帖： 

• 自由意志是创造力的源泉 ：--）） -Oona- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 16:46:14

• 感谢Oona！自由意志加上相对自由的国度，许必拓新造奇。 -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:34:03

• “We're born or reborn to dissent.” -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 17:24:57

• Freedom of speech. For example : -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 17:28:07

• We don't agree with what someone said, but we defend -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 17:30:13

• their freedom to speak. -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 17:31:15

• Theoretically right, practically nobody do it voluntarily! -方外居士- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 17:54:55

• 我不同意你说的，但我捍卫你自由表达的权利。这在美国还是很常见的吧。 -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (200 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:01:59

• 哈哈哈！ -方外居士- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:10:52

• 发言权就是人权的体现，否则人权就是空话而已。 -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:48:46

• 美国所谓人权的优势在于它对没有人权的国家相比有优势，但是人权这玩意并不解决所有问题 -永远老李- ♂ (448 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 06:13:11

• 什么可以解决所有问题的？击壤歌里的人很知足，压轴句“帝力于我何有哉！”最有意思。 -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 13:23:35

• Thanks, 方外居士! With all due respect, that's not true--- -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:42:01

• In 1977 the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) defended -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:44:10

• the free speech rights of an American Nazi group -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:45:52

• broadcasting antisemitic messages in the Jewish suburb of -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:47:48

• Skokie, Illinois. The ACLU is well-known for its -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:49:03

• liberal advocacy against racism. This case has been adapted -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:53:02

• into a movie titled "Skokie" (1981).Yes, in America, you bet -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:55:03

• you can find someone defending your constitutional -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:55:46

• rights regardless of your ideology. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:57:15

• National Socialist Party of America v. Village of Skokie, -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:12:22

• arising out of what is sometimes referred to as the -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:12:45

• Skokie Affair, was a landmark decision of the US Supreme -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:13:44

• Court dealing with freedom of speech and freedom of assembly -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:14:19

• At the end of the day, the Nazi group was allowed to march -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:19:32

• through the Jewish suburb without the swastika. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:20:37

• The Nazi group chose to cancel the march, saying -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:21:42

• that it had already benefited from media reporting. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:22:57

• Interesting! Thanks for sharing! -方外居士- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:23:46

• In America, even devils benefit from free speech. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:42:08

• That's what civil rights professionals are doing everyday. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:43:32

• Immigrants made America, in my opinion. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:39:32

• Our Constitution deserves an interpreter like you. -蓝灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:26:07

• Thought-provoking. -蓝灵- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:26:41

• Thanks, 蓝灵! -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:45:58

• I bet you would do a lot better than I did. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:44:35

• The good news is there is no dictator in America -永远老李- ♂ (644 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 18:33:10

• 永远老李, thanks for your comment. Just let you know that I am -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:02:31

• averse to expletives. So please do some clean-up. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:05:58

• American politics has turned violence in Jan 6th 2021. -永远老李- ♂ (531 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:58:24

• Language matters, as far as I am concerned. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:33:12

• In less than a year, let's see what those dissidents do -永远老李- ♂ (31 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:44:13

• The January 6 mayhem? Let the chips fall where they may. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:38:31

• Here’s the huge problem -永远老李- ♂ (705 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 05:39:22

• Misinformation and disinformation are part of -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 07:04:45

• the American deal. Let's take a deep breath and -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 07:07:03

• see how this episode will play out. The truth is out there. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 07:09:45

• 谢谢秋兰！we desperately need the founders now -颤音- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:34:10

• Thanks, 颤音! Today's America might overwhelm the founders. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:57:53

• How about having George Washington moderate a presidential -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:59:31

• debate? -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 19:59:52

• i feel he would be considered a right wing extremist -颤音- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:07:49

• how elon musk is treated by our government and media after -颤音- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:08:30

• he took over twitter is very concerning -颤音- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:08:52

• George might want to debate Elon. Hahaha! -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:17:04

• that's a dream match!!! -颤音- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:18:14

• Keep me dreaming, please. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:26:26

• For this offer, George might get a Tesla for free. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:18:43

• God forbid, George might want to command Space X. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:20:35

• hhh, or bring Tesla back to life to command space X -颤音- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:23:14

• Today's Tesla, tomorrow's spacecraft. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:25:26

• Elon Musk knows how to realize a dream -颤音- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:27:11

• Good for him. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:34:44

• 秋兰，great post with great thoughts, thank you for sharing. -CBA7- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:30:06

• "We're born or reborn to dissent", I agree this totally :) -CBA7- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:35:13

• Dissent is in our national DNA. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:41:38

• Maybe in some degree it's international too. -CBA7- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:47:50

• I just realized the speaker (a child) in my poem -CBA7- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:41:38

• Enlighten me. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:43:18

• Thanik you. Good night, have a great weekend! -CBA7- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:53:56

• Goodnight! Let everyone have a great weekend. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:59:04

• "My Little Titanic" is a dissent to the mom :) 见里面： -CBA7- ♀ (377 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:43:45

• I have just read your latest poem. Here're my thoughts: -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:56:53

• Hubris sank their Titanic. Innocence keeps yours afloat. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:58:02

• So true! -CBA7- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 21:00:16

• Thanks, 小西! -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/08/2023 postreply 20:40:11

• Everybody is unique, yet nobody is special... I think the -freemanli01- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 04:11:40

• the founders was not intended to make life difficult for the -freemanli01- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 04:12:15

• politicians, they just don't want to make politician special -freemanli01- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 04:13:53

• politician, same as other service providers, must deliver -freemanli01- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 04:16:08

• services as demanded by the people, and cannot force people -freemanli01- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 04:17:42

• to accept their dictation... -freemanli01- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 04:18:57

• Thanks, freemanli01! You have a point. Electioneering is -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 05:27:50

• never smooth sailing, except for a few safe-seat occupants. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 05:30:53

• When a politician can't take power for granted, s/he won't -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 05:32:25

• say that life is easy. Even George Washington had to deal -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 05:36:08

• with the "Whiskey Rebellion," not to mention Abe Lincoln. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 05:37:38

• US politics goes to a big mess -忒忒绿- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 08:54:00

• Thanks, 忒忒绿！We have been through worse. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 09:27:23

• ding -ahniu- ♂ (45 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 09:08:32

• Hi,ahniu. -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 13:11:35

• 200、300的历史相对人类文明，啥都不算，没有时间的考验。美国的最大优势是地理，第二是没有历史包袱，第三是吸取了当时最 -通州河- ♂ (214 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 09:11:19

• 谢谢通州河来评！人生苦短。不过，正如王羲之所言：“后之视今，亦犹今之视昔。” 今天，走憲政，走民主的继续走。反其道而行的 -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 10:03:24

• 继续反其道而行。但从移民趋势来看，随着走民主的人数有增无已。 -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 10:05:40

• 这个趋势不能作为结论。西方最早工业化，文明程度高，生活水平高，移民去西方是一个提升自己生活水平 -通州河- ♂ (119 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 10:09:40

• 谁在做结论昵？选择到较民主较自由的地方来提高生活水平，本身就明示不民主不自由国度之不济。再说，移民后代会集体“返祖”么？ -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 10:58:50

• 想補充一點，人類文明有高低之分，不過不能用輸贏來衡量文明的高低。人類歷史中，往往出現高級文明被較低級文明摧毀的現象。 -春日遲遲- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 12:47:00

• 南宋之於蒙古，明朝之於滿清，都是高級文明滅於低級文明之手的例子。 -春日遲遲- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 12:47:44

• 君主制或許對統治者而言很有效，但是對普通民眾而言，民主使他們的生活更好，所以不少中國人也用腳投票，"適彼樂土"。 -春日遲遲- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 12:48:18

• 入乡随俗。用脚投票，也要积极投票。只有投票，才能让政客注意和重视到我们！亚裔非哑裔！ -盈盈一笑间- ♀ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 15:24:13

• 民主不是万能的，但没有民主是万万不能的！：）） -卫宁- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 19:31:47

• 谢谢卫宁！所言甚是。 -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 20:55:03

• 小心政客利用族群分化而图利。种族磨合从来需要漫长的岁月。另外，搞种族歧视的人数极少，恐惧是他们的槓杆。 -renqiulan- ♂ (0 bytes) () 12/09/2023 postreply 20:51:06