Forums > Living in Kunming > Jimmy Carter - U.S. Is No Longer a Democracy @laotou:
1. USA IS A REPUBLIC. The guys that wrote the Constitution intended it be so. Words have definitions regardless of one's perspective. Read the 'Federalist Papers.' Free kindle version on amazon.com. You can, if interested also get the 'Anti-Federalist Papers if your reading tastes are as weird as mine.
The multi-party system is a legacy of US roots in the English system. In California, there usually a choice of a dozen or more candidates for president each a member of separate party.
Yes the US electoral system is 'rather chaotic' and this is by design. From my perspective this is more desirable than a system that demands harmony and total subservience. Checks and balances tend to prevent tyranny and splits the nexus of power.
2. ILLEGAL FOREIGN CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is a US law, signed by Jimmy Carter in 1977. Has two main provisions; 1) addresses the bribery of foreign officials and 2) addresses transparency in accounting as related to requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a Corporate Controller, I have sat through several tedious day long seminars on the FCPA. I am unaware of how the FCPA relates to political campaign contributions.
The FCPA attempts to control the actions of US citizens in foreign counties by making violations of foreign laws punishable under US law. As to the accountancy provisions, the FCPA removed intent as a requirement for conviction resulting in a simple addition error or typo being punishable. This was amended out of the law.
The rest of your post on this item is just noise. What you characterize as illegal is not. This is the way politics in the US is financed, like it or not. I don't like it but I have no alternative suggestions.
@laotou: Please try to discern what a law is about and what is legal or illegal and rant intelligently.
3. RETIREMENT: I strongly you take some time to get information as to how US Social Security works. The only way your "retirement benefits will be reduced between 10-28% from" what I get is if the law is dramatically changed in a way not even being considered today. All conversations about reducing benefits, means testing, would apply any changes to persons in their 40's and younger. You are safe.
The rest of your post on this item is babble. Your claim of being deceived has merit if the law has been changed. As this is not the case, as you now admit, it is your ignorance of the law and your desire to be a victim that drives you to babble nonsense.
As for my living in the US, I was living independently in my own apartment and getting along fine on my Social Security. Granted I am disabled and have limited mobility and therefore have less need to spend. Truth is, I can get along fine with no government money at all but I legally take every penny I can. With all you eminent experience, knowledge and skills, I hope you prepared for your retirement.
I will out you for your non-truths as they are, from my perspective silly and uninformed. You repeat them in your rants as fact and sir, they are not.
Interview: Orchid Zhang
发布者Mei Mei Cafe is great!
Orchid, and her sister, run a great place. Good food, lots of free advice on where to go and how to get there. Want a tour, need a car, a ticket? See Orchid, she's the tall beautiful lady.
Every winter since 2004 I've headed south to Banna. First stop is Mei Mei's. Just tell the taxi driver "Mei Mei Cafe" and in about 10 minutes you are there.
Now, if they just had T-Shirts