myata

Caviar class was never about democracy. They a) don't understand b) are deeply suspicious of c) don't really like and d) don't really need it. It was all about an enlightened, benevolent aristo-technocracy. Just like colonial but better facade. Just be honest with yourself and change the sign on the door - and it all makes sense, instantly.

Ah, you are certain this is a good one. Despite uncounted millennia of experiments always showing the same result: unchecked, out of controls and bounds power is never a good idea. But wait, can't we try one more time?

Every story of well-meaning benevolent governance, out of all bounds and controls, runs its course to the same well-known and extensively tested conclusion. There will be no exceptions. Cannot be.

A better question is: why the country wouldn't turn into a (third world) banana republic, in the next say 50 years? What is there to prevent it? Anything?

The system is heading into a crisis and meaningful change is a taboo here. The caviar class have to do something and they can do anything. Massive dependent population is much easier to manage. China and Russia know.

But we've got something out of it, now there's no doubts because it's a fact of record. Yes, it can be done. Yes, they can do it. At any time, on a flick and for pretty much any reason, real or imaginary/desired that can be spun out of all measures and proportions by helpful/friendly propaganda. And there's no checks or controls, just none now also a fact. And we never cared to even think about them, why think it's stressful and tiring. And there's only one conclusion: because that's who we are.

I recall actually listening to a some official experts (for whatever the term is worth these days). Some were plainly playing out the official propaganda. Others were trying/pretending to be more objective about whats going on. NONE, just plain zero in my memory were responding to obvious and immediate question: are the measures proportional to the risk; effective and justified. It just looked like someone somewhere decided: OK we'll figure it out for you; you don't need to worry (here). No checks, no thresholds, no meaningful answers, zero accountability. And if so, what does it have to do with democracy? China and Russia have elections.

Who cares? These are just words, only words and nothing but words. What can be the point of a discussion if there's no issue, nothing can be changed, ever? Dumb, not to think of it, ever just doesn't cut it unlikely play of entropy. So there has to be a deeper truth here, even by exclusion. A design.

You are missing the point. It's not about could and should. It's all about, and only: because we can. Seriously, why not?

Caviar class couldn't care less. The party has to go on, as ever.

Omg, really? Is it fair to call a tiny meaningful change in about two centuries "a revolution"? But wait, maybe you're getting somewhere! If there's a risk of that word, there needs to be an EMA handy, right?

Sure back again, to "caviar class". What a surprise.

To be fair, it's been close to two centuries of virtually unlimited, unchecked and non accountable power and only now it is showing up. Really, clearly showing. Wow. What a great country.

A great next question! Really. If nobody's looking how can we see? Like, anything.

The system is the same. Total absence of independent checks, in principle. Total lack of accountability. Can't prevent anything - only useless, sad and boring commissions months or years after the fact that do nothing, like absolute zero nothing, except useless boring talk. That system is the same whatever face and sticker you stick on it. And you at least suspected that. Now, all clear?

Correction: "loses". Delayed justice is a parody of justice serves no purpose all compensations etc yada paid from your pocket to you. Funny. While bureaucracy has no accountability and that is entirely intentional, by design from day one.

Bulls%it, and you know it. You can't win in a pretend, unreal quasi-democracy. Winners are known upfront before any vote". One and two, difference under a microscope pick one, sorry no other options. Why would anybody bother who's has eyes to see and brain to admit it?

Over 95% of German population voted for Nazis. What? Without any meaningful choices and with massive propaganda scare, what does it prove? Bare nothing, of course ... except that propaganda works.

Well maybe not, but a Canadian majority PM on the other hand... just as seen, with own eyes. Even pseudo majority.

Very forgivable and easy to forget when you make rules for yourself and can invoke just about anything on a whim just because you can.

Freudean dreams

Aptly noted... except "balance" involves you know, balance; two or more weights, interests powers equaling, counterweighing, controlling each other. So that no one can pull all of the way their way, without checks, bounds, controls. And what if there's only one, how can it be "balanced", with what? Interesting, that you mention China, etc. a Freudean coincidence?

And in China they are actually nothing. Total zero, China says so and why not like who can know. And what? What is your point here? How many cases is one freedom and one last drop of accountability, even painted and token, worth? Are they even worth anything still?

Counting almost three years the total flu count by now up to 24K. In a CBC interview a few weeks ago an editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal said: "Four thousand to 8,000 people die every year of influenza." Then nobody ever tried to count all kind of complicated cases as "flu related", caused and so on. So let's say 35 or even 40 (or even higher). Has anyone ever made you wear facecloth with unknown effect because of annual flu? Maybe invoked war measures with curfews (yes, factual)? And why not? Like do we know where the line and the limits are? How will we know?

Couldn't be said any better. Since when arbitrary counts on an arbitrarily selected issues became more important than constitutional rights, checks and accountability? Who said and decided that number = X allows me to cancel your rights and begin martial law? Can't you see that this kind and style of governance is way into another territory - and right on the way to totalitarianism. Seriously movies were made exactly about this theme way before this pandemic.