Qustions for class assignment

[gdalton]

I am currently working on an assignment for my us government class and I am hoping to get some opinions on a few political hot buttons to get an idea of what people believe and why they feel a certain way about things. So to start it off please give me a brief description of your self, where your from, how old you are, and educational background, then while looking at the fallowing questions imagine you are the leader of a very powerful country and explain how you would re-act to these particular issues.

Questions,

If you could develop your own country by using any exiting government models (ie. Communism, socialism, democracy, etc.) how would you structure your government?

Would military build up be in your plans to protect your country?

Would you rely on the UN to help in conflicts your country might face with other governments?

Do you feel Tibet needs to be free?

What would be the best possible means of freeing Tibet?

If decisions where made by you, would you use force in order to achieve and keep Tibet’s freedom?

Can you name other country’s that are in need of freedom?

How do you feel about America’s actions in the war against terrorism and explain why you feel that way?


Thanks in advance for any replies please feel free to express your views on any of these questions but please do not start flamming others if their view is different I DON'T WANT THIS THREAD TO TURN INTO A HUGE ARGUMENT JUST STATE YOUR OPINION AND DO NOT COMMENT ON OTHERS.

[Knifeblade]

I'll give it a go, could be interesting to hear other views.

50/DWM, Michigan, B.S Degree, major Psychology, dual minors, Business and Management.

I would structure around democracy, communism is a genearally failed system, socialism is so complex [in true form] it straddles the fence between democracy and communism.

I would have an active military within the above framework. My thought is a strong military keeps the worst of the worst away.

After seeing how the UN responds to various issues, I would not bother with them, other than a first attempt at diplomacy [and not wait around with bated breath for them to do anything within a year, unless pressured by a strong country].

If Tibet truly desired freedom, they would be voicing it somewhere in some way. One could also say that about Iraq, in that their voices were rarely heard, if spoken at all~~~or felt safe in speaking out.

Generally, those who want "freedom" should voice out and ask for help. I do not feel that it is for "my" hypothetical country to determine that for them. If they wish freedom badly enough, they will find a way to achieve it by some means.

America's stance for too many years was to downplay the threat that was emerging. Essentially, too little, too late.

I do not see Tibet as any consequence on the world stage, regardless of their niche within a certain religion.

I would not utilize my resources on a country that has no imoprt on the world stage.

[gdalton]

Thanks Knifeblade that was exactly the kind of answers I am looking for.

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by gdalton

. So to start it off please give me a brief description of your self, where your from, how old you are, and educational background, then while looking at the fallowing questions imagine you are the leader of a very powerful country and explain how you would re-act to these particular issues.

From US, 42 (that's 14 for the 3rd time ), with some grad school


Questions:

Originally Posted by gdalton

If you could develop your own country by using any exiting government models (ie. Communism, socialism, democracy, etc.) how would you structure your government?

In a developing country, Socialism I think would be the best, as the government could coordinate all aspects of the economy and insure that growth was maximized. This would later be replaced with a different system of the peoples' choosing.

Originally Posted by gdalton

Would military build up be in your plans to protect your country?

The amount of military would depend on the neighboring countries and their aggressiveness. At least a small military would be needed.

Originally Posted by gdalton

Would you rely on the UN to help in conflicts your country might face with other governments?

See previous answer. It would depend on the other country. If I was like Kuwait in the early 90's, yes. If I were like present day Pakistan/India, no.

Originally Posted by gdalton

Do you feel Tibet needs to be free?

China's move into Tibet I would consider a sovereign violation, so yes.

Originally Posted by gdalton

What would be the best possible means of freeing Tibet?

When dealing with China? Is that a trick question? I say it that way not to mock, but to point out the difficulty of persuading China to do anything. There is no good way, unless it can be shown that something is in it for China's benefit.

Originally Posted by gdalton

If decisions where made by you, would you use force in order to achieve and keep Tibet’s freedom?

No. A war with China can only end in tragedy.

Originally Posted by gdalton

Can you name other country’s that are in need of freedom?

Countries.
Northern Ireland, though same situation as with Tibet, but with the UK.

Iraq.

North Korea.

The thought occurs to me that China is surrounding herself with smaller states as buffers....much like the Soviet Union did with Eastern Europe.

Originally Posted by gdalton

How do you feel about America’s actions in the war against terrorism and explain why you feel that way?.

While it's reasonable to pursue those that intend/would do harm, it is unreasonable to invade another country entirely.

I think the 9/11 tragedy in some parts was not as it was portrayed to be; the most direct evidence is the wreckage of a 757 was NOT found at the Pentagon, and pictures show a small plane or missile at the site just before impact. Therefore the "War on Terrorism" could have been trumped up to be more than it appears.

I think that, like in many things, the US starts with good intentions, but then bullies its way and starts pissing the world off.

We don't have the right to go invade any country, anywhere, in the name of counter terrorism.

[Knifeblade]

I think fred makes some very good points I did not consider.

1] War with China can only end in tragedy. I think to take them on from my "hypothetical" country in military terms is going to lead to disaster. Better to go economic.

2] China surrounding itself with satellite "buffer" states. Classic communism. Good point, fred.

[fredjacksonsan]

Thanks. Most folks on these forums don't bother to read what other people post.

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by gdalton

I am currently working on an assignment for my us government class and I am hoping to get some opinions on a few political hot buttons to get an idea of what people believe and why they feel a certain way about things. So to start it off please give me a brief description of your self, where your from, how old you are, and educational background, then while looking at the fallowing questions imagine you are the leader of a very powerful country and explain how you would re-act to these particular issues.

38 MWM BS Computer Science MS Mathmatics both at Mighigan Tech

If you could develop your own country by using any exiting government models (ie. Communism, socialism, democracy, etc.) how would you structure your government?

Representative republic.

Would military build up be in your plans to protect your country?

Not a very specific question at all. A build up for the sake of a build up is a waste of money. A build up to accomplish a task (such as defend against hostile neighbors or to protect an ally) can certainly be worth the expense.

Would you rely on the UN to help in conflicts your country might face with other governments?

Not a chance. The UN is a collosal failure and has shown no progress to turning itself into little more then a debating platform.

Do you feel Tibet needs to be free?

Yes, and I'll take two! (Peter Griffin) Seriously, thats a loaded question especially considering the ones that follow. The people of Tibet should be given the choice as to how they want to be governed.

What would be the best possible means of freeing Tibet?

This question assumes that the last one would have been answered "yes". Free elections are always the way to go. So the best way is to get China back on the road to a representative government.

If decisions where made by you, would you use force in order to achieve and keep Tibet’s freedom?

If I were the leader of a free Tibet, I certainly would.

Can you name other country’s that are in need of freedom?

All of them. There are restrictions to freedom in all countries. Some are more severe then others, but we all have them.

How do you feel about America’s actions in the war against terrorism and explain why you feel that way?

Loaded question again.

Let me put it this way. Anyone who wants to kill me should understand that I will kill them first. I do not wish harm on anyone unless they first wish it upon my family. The same can be said for fighting terrorists.













Never pay again for live sex! | Hot girls doing naughty stuff for free! | Chat for free!

[gdalton]

Thanks alot guys your comments are going to help a lot. I noticed we have three different models for government so far, so one more question. Why did you pick your particular government model over another?

Thanks again for all the comments and for not arguing over others opinions.

[fredjacksonsan]

Socialism is the centralized government control of industry, etc. I thought that since this is a developing country, that might be the best - initially - but did state that another form of government would be better. Yogs' suggestion of a representative republic is a good one, and once the country was stable it should move towards that.

I thought about the word "rely" as related to the UN. Again, Yogs is right that the UN is ineffective at best. To rely on them would be a mistake, so I'd alter my response to say that the UN would be notified, but I wouldn't count on them actually doing anything.

[Knifeblade]

There is an old adage from a military standpoint~~~~

The soviets go to war against China, both sides suffer losses and destruction, but the Soviets capture 100K Chinese. The next offensive, same situation, but the Soviets now capture 1M Chinese.

The final offensive, the Soviets capture 5 M Chinese and have to surrender the war.

The point I wish to make here is that a non-democratic society fully controls it's populace and can use them as they see fit. Not to say that a democratic or republican form doesn't, but not at the level more restrictive governmental forms do.

[pnoiSR20]

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally Posted by gdalton
I am currently working on an assignment for my us government class and I am hoping to get some opinions on a few political hot buttons to get an idea of what people believe and why they feel a certain way about things. So to start it off please give me a brief description of your self, where your from, how old you are, and educational background, then while looking at the fallowing questions imagine you are the leader of a very powerful country and explain how you would re-act to these particular issues.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well im 16 and i've taken classes such as World HIstory Honors and U.S. History AP. I think my knowledge will be enough to answer your question.

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you could develop your own country by using any exiting government models (ie. Communism, socialism, democracy, etc.) how would you structure your government?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I'd build my government around democracy. Communism and socialism simply DOES NOT WORK!!! They share the principle of: From each according to their ability, to each according to their need, which is equality. "Equality, sharing, and peace" cant happened in this world. If you want peace and equality, shoot yourself, go to heaven and sue God.

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would military build up be in your plans to protect your country?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I wouldnt build my military for protection. Because if i due...you might scare those people that disagree like you (such as the French j/k) or you might end up like a dictator like Kim Jung Il. Building a military is a waste of good tax payer's money. This aint the Cold WAr anymore, where as Ronald Reagan (i think i spelled that right) spent money to build more arms to put the Soviets into bankruptcy.

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would you rely on the UN to help in conflicts your country might face with other governments?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

No way! All they due is argue. They just delay the inevitable.

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you feel Tibet needs to be free?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Countries such as Tibet deserve to be free.

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What would be the best possible means of freeing Tibet?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One word:Revolution. Revolutions change a society. The Russian Revolution and the Revolutionary War change a lot of things. Revolution can either violent or calm. A coup can happened and take a government by force or they can have free elections.

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If decisions where made by you, would you use force in order to achieve and keep Tibet’s freedom?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If i were the leader of Tibet, i would. NOw if i was the leader of the U.S. i would too. I mean come on...u go to Afghanistan and Iraq, you might as well go to Tibet.

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Can you name other country’s that are in need of freedom?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sure. North Korea, Cuba, any country in the Middle EAst, People's Republic of China and Red China aka Taiwan.

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do you feel about America’s actions in the war against terrorism and explain why you feel that way?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I totally agree with America's action on terrorism. Why you ask...well its better to kill someone before they kill you.

[gdalton]

Originally Posted by pnoiSR20

Quote:

Quote:


I'd build my government around democracy. Communism and socialism simply DOES NOT WORK!!! They share the principle of: From each according to their ability, to each according to their need, which is equality. "Equality, sharing, and peace" cant happened in this world. If you want peace and equality, shoot yourself, go to heaven and sue God.

Genius.

[pnoiSR20]

Thanks man. My teacher taught me that.