January 6th hearings on Trump's failed insurrection.

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
However, her power, which she rarely exercises, is considerable. She has the authority and the capacity to end the sort of shenanigans we have had here. Her duty is almost entirely ceremonial because that allows her domain to practice all the squabbles that democratic government necessarily brings along.
Constitutional monarchs are no different than presidents in parliamentary systems, they have the power to dissolve to government and that is about it, their role is to protect democratic institutions. If the Queen spoke out against a proto fascist government, it would cause a political earth quake in the UK, she does not involve herself in politics, but stays above it. Any government that provoked such a response would not last long, if there were grounds for her comments, the public would rise up in support. These are mere politicians, but she is the fucking Queen! An election would sort it out.
 

subwax

Well-Known Member
That's because politics is a deadly serious thing in the USA, but what you actually have is cold civil war. Politics requires goodwill on both sides, that's not possible with the republicans as currently constituted. There was a time in the 90's when there wasn't much difference between the parties, but that has long since changed. The majority of the white American population are bigots and close to 7 in 10 white males have a chip on their shoulder about it and many have gone tribal. The parties are polarized now between patriots who want a liberal democracy that includes all people and the other side wants fascist rule by a minority that will descend into genocide eventually, it usually does. Minorities are strong in the democratic party now and racists make up the base of the republicans, the days of compromise by throwing minorities under the bus are over.
Do you have friends that are strong supporters of the other side in your group of friends? How do you handle things like having a chat in the pub, or over a meal?
 

Fogdog

Well-Known Member
They have total power and are above the law to date
That's what I thought. I've even heard British people brag about how they don't feel the need to write it all down. As if a constitution is a sign of weakness or something like that. I'm not close enough to know but the UK seems to be stuck with a noble class that is still in power and a king with absolute power. At least that's how is seems from my remote point of view.
 

subwax

Well-Known Member
That's what I thought. I've even heard British people brag about how they don't feel the need to write it all down. As if a constitution is a sign of weakness or something like that. I'm not close enough to know but the UK seems to be stuck with a noble class that is still in power and a king with absolute power. At least that's how is seems from my remote point of view.
Just a small correction - its queen currently - will be king soon though, sadly.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
Do you have friends that are strong supporters of the other side in your group of friends? How do you handle things like having a chat in the pub, or over a meal?
Well I'm Canadian and don't have that issue much, however I am a frank and direct person when required and not shy.
 

CatHedral

Well-Known Member
That's what I thought. I've even heard British people brag about how they don't feel the need to write it all down. As if a constitution is a sign of weakness or something like that. I'm not close enough to know but the UK seems to be stuck with a noble class that is still in power and a king with absolute power. At least that's how is seems from my remote point of view.
Similar here. While many sovereign powers have fallen into disuse, they remain law. Handy should Britain become as fractured as we have.
 

subwax

Well-Known Member
Well I'm Canadian and don't have that issue much, however I am a frank and direct person when required and not shy.
Is it something that kind of by mutual respect, you just don't talk about, based on the fact you know it could go pear shaped.
 

subwax

Well-Known Member
Similar here. While many sovereign powers have fallen into disuse, they remain law. Handy should Britain become as fractured as we have.
Scotland will leave the UK soon - its unavoidable. That will be the end of the UK, I think.
 

DIY-HP-LED

Well-Known Member
That's what I thought. I've even heard British people brag about how they don't feel the need to write it all down. As if a constitution is a sign of weakness or something like that. I'm not close enough to know but the UK seems to be stuck with a noble class that is still in power and a king with absolute power. At least that's how is seems from my remote point of view.
Not even in theory, parliament brought in a King, William of Orange after chopping off the head of one and driving out another and the terms of his service were made quite clear! Constitutionally the King can dissolve parliament and call up the fleet, there has been a steady evolution of liberal democracy and the Lords lost most of their power at the turn of the century and it's been eroding ever since. Both America and the British empire enfranchised women in 1920.
 

Fogdog

Well-Known Member
Is it something that kind of by mutual respect, you just don't talk about, based on the fact you know it could go pear shaped.
I have two brothers who have gone fascist. I could give up on them but there are nieces and nephews. My sons have formed relationships with them and I love them all very much. Family is important. So we simply don't talk about politics when together. I'm kind of lucky that everybody understands this or it wouldn't work. Other families are breaking apart because of this.
 

Fogdog

Well-Known Member
Not even in theory, parliament brought in a King, William of Orange after chopping off the head of one and driving out another and the terms of his service were made quite clear! Constitutionally the King can dissolve parliament and call up the fleet, there has been a steady evolution of liberal democracy and the Lords lost most of their power at the turn of the century and it's been eroding ever since. Both America and the British empire enfranchised women in 1920.
As I said, I don't know much about how its done. I'm used to the idea of a constitution. They don't have one.
 

subwax

Well-Known Member
I can think of nothing more frustrating that getting into it over the dinner table. Probably why we don't talk about it, really.
 

zeddd

Well-Known Member
I have two brothers who have gone fascist. I could give up on them but there are nieces and nephews. My sons have formed relationships with them and I love them all very much. Family is important. So we simply don't talk about politics when together. I'm kind of lucky that everybody understands this or it wouldn't work. Other families are breaking apart because of this.
Collaboration creep, it’s insidious
 
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